Why I Live: Phil Cunningham

By Phil Cunningham Posted on December 21 2010

My name is Phil Cunningham. Seventeen years ago I left what was a seemingly normal life -- car, job, family -- to join a missions organization called Youth With A Mission. I have served with YWAM ever since. Over those 17 years I have travelled to 17 different countries, lived in 12 different homes, married one wonderful woman and had two beautiful little girls with one more due in January 2011.

I have been asked many times why I do what I do and how I do what I do, but recently a friend asked me a new question: “why do you live the way that you live.” This question took me back and I have been thinking about since it was asked. I had never thought about why I live the way I live, it has simply become the way I am used to living.

Before I go on, let me explain the way I live. My wife and I are full time volunteers with YWAM. What this means exactly is that we are missionaries who raise all our own finances from various friends and churches. This money goes toward paying our bills and feeding our kids. Sometimes, we even use that money to go out on dates and sip good (well, mediocre) wine. We don’t have a regular paycheck, but we live and trust God like we do.

This way of living has presented us with some interesting challenges, as well as some unexpected blessings. I remember the day that I was lining up in the same food distribution line at which I usually volunteer; our family was beyond broke and we needed to get some baby food for our daughter Emma. I had always been on the other side of the feeding line, but that day I was going through it as someone who needed a handout. It was painfully embarrassing and humbling, to say the least.

There have also been days of unexpected blessings. One of those blessings came a few years ago when our friend Mario invited our family on a one-week, all-expense-paid, Caribbean cruise for his 50th birthday. We were living in Seattle at the time and the cruise left out of Florida. We were not sure how we were going to get our family to Florida until we realized that YWAM’s annual North American missions conference was going to be in Florida and ended the day before the cruise began.

We certainly know what it means when Paul says, “I know what it is to live in plenty and in want.” Our lives are filled with these crazy times of need and provision, and even in the hard times I would not have it any other way. This past fall we were having some financial problems. Now by problems I am not talking about big scale problems, like losing your home, but little problems like not being able to pay your phone bill or buy groceries. Amy, my wife, looked at me and said, “Phil, I am ready to leave this. I am ready for you to get a real job with a steady income that we can rely on.” I looked back at her and in love said, “Why don’t you get a job?” I am totally kidding by the way, I never said that. I actually didn’t say anything. It was humbling, a bit embarrassing and, to be honest, a bit hurtful.

A couple of hours after this conversation, we were at a community pool with some friends. Lindsay, our good friend, came over to Amy and gave her a handful of cash. “What’s this for?” we asked. “It’s money that I wanted to give you for helping me with that photo shoot last month,” Lindsay said. The day went on and we ended up going out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant with the same friends. After dinner I reached for my wallet and Chris, Lindsay's spouse, snatched up the bill and covered it for the table. After dinner I told Chris and Lindsay the situation in which we’d found ourselves a few hours earlier. Later, Amy and I talked about it and agreed that we never want to leave this way of life where we rely on Jesus to provide for our daily needs, and even our daily wants like eating at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Even as I write this article my faith is building. I have seen God’s provision over and over and over again. Now, in no way am I writing a prosperity teaching; I am simply telling my story of how Jesus provides for us where we are.

This is why my family lives the way we do. I do believe that I could go and get a job and make a regular income that is stable and provides for my family. I don’t think that would be bad or dishonoring to God, but I don’t feel called to that. I feel called to a life of complete reliance on Jesus.

I know that there will be more ups and more downs as we continue to live this way, but I have complete trust that we are in the hands of Jesus and that He has, and will continue to take care of us. Currently, we have the ability to help some friends who are also full time missionaries with YWAM and are going through one of those hard seasons. They are in a time of transition and have no home or place to go, so as a family we opened up our tiny 3 bedroom home for their family of 5 to move into with us. It is crazy, it is loud, it drives me mad. This is the life that we chose to live, both for us and for others. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Comments

From linda martinez on December 21, 2010

Living by faith is humbling, difficult, beautiful and stretching but oh so worth it. What a great example it is for your girls too. Thanks for reminding me what I am getting ready to dive back into. Keep it up my friend.

From David Difuntorum on December 21, 2010

I knew there was a reason why I liked you, Phil.

From Wade Gadsby on December 21, 2010

Good on you Phil for speaking from your heart. I’ve been on a similar path this year too - it’s hard but great on you guys for holding true to what God has called you to do!
love you bro.

From Thurman Mason on December 21, 2010

I admire your faith. It has to be genuine to survive for 17 years. I pray that your families faith is a strong as yours. I know that the Seattle area is home to many Ex YWAM’ers who have burned out, departed from the faith, and have fallen into apostasy. I pray for several of them and I will pray for you. The Lord Bless you and keep you safe.

From Philter on December 21, 2010

Thurman, I would love to talk more about this, specifically your experience with YWAM in Seattle. Shoot me an email at phil@stepsofjustice.org.

From Chris Whitler on December 21, 2010

Thanks Phil for these encouraging words. It’s all obedience. You can work for a salary because of obedience and live alternatively because of obedience. This has confirmed a recent call for me to greater intimacy with God…to stick close and hear his heart and dive in to what he has for me. Thanks for being a great example.

From philter on December 21, 2010

Chris, great word. I agree that it is all about obedience. That is what makes living for Jesus so clear, we just have to obey. There have been many times I have felt that others have a greater call, but it is not greater, it is just their call. What is great is when we obey Gods call and others obey there’s. That is when we will get stuff done and see the world change.

From Lori Fox on December 23, 2010

This is encouraging!

From Philter on December 25, 2010

Thanks Lori, great to hear from you. Merry Christmas friend.

From Jan Halloran on December 30, 2010

Absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait to hear how bringing baby #3 into the world goes, blessings my friend.

From Jeff Goins on January 05, 2011

Big fan of yours, Phil! It’s an honor to know you.

From Phil on January 05, 2011

Thanks Jeff, Lookin forward to the next time we can hang out.

From GREG GOERTZEN on January 08, 2011

Hey Phil——long ways from ’ home’—-way to go buddy—- very proud of you—- 26 years later and you are still AWESOME !

From Jimmer Zink on January 13, 2011

Phil, it is moving to hear your story. I am challenged and have been wrestling with this for years. I can still remember our experience driving back from Winnipeg and being stranded on the highway and remembering this was a God moment. (I still remember the sunflower seeds all over the dashboard! LOL!). It seems your adventuring heart is a blessing to all those around you and thank you for sharing your story. If you are ever in Banff, please come visit!

From Phil on January 13, 2011

Done. I’d love to come visit ya, especially in Banff. Thanks for the comment Jimmer, I love hearing that us BBC boys are doing well

From Hatton on January 18, 2011

I’m actually on outreach in Haiti w/ YWAM Kona right now! What a nice article to stumble upon after having the “What’s Next” conversation w/ my outreach leader last night!

From Phil on January 19, 2011

Hey there Hatton, super great to hear that you are in Haiti with YWAM. The whats next conversation is a great one to have, hard at time,but great. If you would like to talk more about it and how I came to some of those what next answers I would love to connect.

From HATTON on January 19, 2011

Hey Phil! Thank you so much for the response! Yes, my leader and I have started talking about what I feel like God is calling me to do after outreach. 6 weeks left here in Haiti! I’d love to connect if you have time! I don’t know if it’s socially acceptable to be posting emails on here, but I guess we’ll find out! Shoot me an email and lets connect! DirtyOldSandals@gmail.com

Looking Forward To It!

From phil on January 20, 2011

got it, thanks.

From Danny Swengel on January 20, 2011

Hey Phil, I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your story about why you live the way you do. I seem to have lost sight of that in my life. I too have went through YWAM. Not as long as you, just did my DTS. I wanted to go back but felt like God had totally different plans for me to stay at home. But in just my short time with YWAM, I too seen how God will always stay faithful. I just want to say thanks though for reminding me why we live our lives the way we do. It’s too stressful to try and make things happen on my own! I gotta rely on God and stay faithful he’s gonna stay faithfull to my every need.

From phil on January 23, 2011

Hey there Danny, thanks for the comment. It is definitely best to rely on God and He will be faithful. This is way easier said than done for most of us unfortunately. Living by faith is super rewarding, but it is just that, faith. I have to remind myself every day that He is in control and try to work out exactly what that means for me.

From Air Jordan 1 on April 12, 2011

I need to state that I haven’t read something so interesting in a while. There are a lot of motivating views and opinions. I think that you certainly discovered an significant fact.
curt

Why I Live: Phil Cunningham

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