After spending his life in cross-cultural ministry, Philip Enoch and his wife, Heather Enoch, joined John Brown University last semester as the new Missionaries-in-Residence. With firsthand experience in the challenges of cultural transitions, Enoch serves students who are the children of missionaries by helping them navigate college and adjust to life in the United States. 

Enoch brings over two decades of experience in international ministry. His journey began at age eight when his family moved from the U.S. to Africa, where he was a missionary kid himself. After completing his secondary education, Enoch returned to the United States to pursue higher education at Southwest Missouri State University and married in 1998.  

“After I left Kenya, I thought I was done with Africa. Not because I didn’t like it, but I wanted to live the American dream,” Enoch said.

However, his plans quickly took a different turn. Following what he and his wife felt was a “call from God,” they joined Africa Inland Mission, beginning a long journey in missionary work. During their time there, they dedicated themselves to a unique form of missionary work, serving at the boarding school for missionary children where Enoch himself had studied.

“I learned that there are many other ways to serve in missions besides becoming a pastor. God can use any skill set to advance his kingdom among unreached people groups,” Enoch said.

Last year, Enoch and his family returned to the U.S. to help their children transition to university.  As a former recruiter for his missionary organization, he had attended JBU's World Awareness Week and seen the strong community of MK’s here. Now, as the MIR he helps them navigate their cross-cultural journeys, just as he once did. 

“It’s hard to leave behind everything you’ve known and come to a place where you don’t really feel like you belong. It takes a while to feel like you fit in,” Enoch said. “That was my experience when I left high school and returned to the States with two suitcases and a couple hundred dollars. It was hard.”

His passion for serving is evident in the ways he connects with students. He and his wife host gatherings, providing home-cooked meals and a space for conversation and encouragement.

“If that one meal gives them enough encouragement to help them get through the next week, that’s a win,” Enoch said.

Like many other JBU students, Enoch also understands the difficulties of cultural adjustment and is very happy to continue working this year with the MK students at JBU.

"It takes a while to feel like you fit in, and we know that transition can be hard, especially when your family is away. So, we love the opportunity to be here to encourage them and talk with them when they're struggling,” Enoch said.

Photo courtesy of Philip Enoch.