††† Phoenix Mission Of Mercy

WELCOME TO PHOENIX MISSION OF MERCY

Downtown Baghdad

The Phoenix Mission of Mercy was created in Downtown Baghdad, Iraq in response to the needs of the poor and marginalized children left with no hope or future. We began our outreach to the area surrounding the fortified hotel in which we live. By building personal relationships with those endangered most from our presence our ministries began to grow quickly. As we became friends doorways began to open wide and we were able to provide Christian literature in Arabic, school supplies, toys, candy and personal hygiene products. Our first priority was to meet the immediate needs or those who would become most jeopardized from our presence in their community. Each day our ministry expands to the out cry of the hungry, homeless, poor, and abused children left with nothing. Our current ministries include local orphanages, schools, prisons and Christian church organizations.

Local Families

Phoenix Mission of Mercy provides outreach to war torn areas of Iraq consisting mainly of poor and needy families who lack even the daily necessities. We provide food, clothing and everyday necessities to all cultures with an emphasis on the biblical teachings of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Al-Sadeer Hotel Bombing

On March 9th of 2005 the Al-Sadeer Hotel was bombed by the largest truck bomb since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many of the IPLO?S were left without even the basic necessities they used to enjoy. At this time I decided to form a Not-for-profit organization called ?Phoenix Mission of Mercy.? My name is Joe Phoenix and I am from Salem, IL. I have been a Christian all of my life however I decided to get serious on June 20th 1989. At this time I was baptized and realized what it meant to follow Christ and be His disciple. I served six years in the Marine Corps just out of high school and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1985. In 1990 I became a police officer in Centralia, Illinois and served for 13 years. I left at the rank of Sgt. and decided to come to Iraq. God placed a call on my life which I had no choice but to answer.

Masters Degree in Ministry

I have received several college degrees including, A Masters Degree in Leadership and Ministry, a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Leadership, an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. It was when I achieved a Masters in Leadership and Ministry from Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois that I realized Mission work was my calling. I applied to DynCorp and was hired in Feb. of 2004. I have been in Iraq since March 10th 2004, where I have learned first hand what missionary work is all about. I felt called to be in Iraq and now know why. Providing outreach to the poor and marginalized people of the world is God's calling on my life. God provided the perfect opportunity for me to make a difference in the war torn country of Iraq. I have never seen such extreme poverty and suffering in my life. Most police officers that came with me from the United States also demonstrated a God given call on their life. They answered that call in choosing to make a difference in the lives of others. I don't worry about my personal safety or how much money DynCorp pays me. I only care about how many people's lives I can touch. God had provided the perfect opportunity by giving me the resources to affect change in many people's lives. The needs are incredible here in Iraq as God has shown us. That's why we began Phoenix Mission of Mercy. We had numerous packages shipped to Iraq and the cost of shipping was incredible. This money being wasted on shipping could provide for more people as most items needed are available here in Iraq. We began collecting donations in the United States and realized that legally we needed a non-profit license to continue. I filed the necessary paperwork and Phoenix Mission of Mercy now possesses a 501-C-3 tax exempt status from the United States Federal Government which makes all donations tax deductible. God has been faithful and continues to meet all our ministry needs.

 Phoenix Mission of Mercy, a non-profit organization, was formed to administer relief to the poor and marginalized victims of war. It began with a few dedicated individuals administering relief to those less fortunate them themselves and has grown to a group of Iraqi and Americans working hand in hand to accomplish God's work. To God we give all the glory.

Highway Patrol Ministry Team

Each American International Police Liaison Officer, "IPLO" and military counterpart working for the Iraqi Highway Patrol has been supportive in this ministry. It takes the combined efforts in our team to make these ministries happen. Each member is a Christian and has strong ministry ties with their Church back home. We as a team see to it that each ministry need is fulfilled and support them one hundred percent. Without our team of American Highway Patrol Advisors these ministries would cease to exist.

Corrections Ministry Team

Our American Corrections officers have also played a major role in the distribution of products to the women's prison and the juvenile prison. Their assistance has made it possible to build a network of professionals that can minister to the needs of those imprisoned and provide them with Arabic Bibles, health care products and recreational items. They are serious Christians who want to make a difference here. They set a positive example of what the Americans stand for and exhibit values and morals that are unsurpassed. Together we participate in weekly bible studies with many other nationalities. The South Africans have also been a great asset in sharing the Gospel and outreach programs. Our ministry teams encompasses many nationalities and personalities however under God we are one.

Iraqi Ministry Team

Our Ministry team of local Iraqi's, are the heart beat of this organization. With their, support and God's blessing who can stand against us? It is God who began these ministries. And God who supplied our Iraqi family support. We are thankful for the Iraqi families who support us as they are our hands and feet. Each day they put their lives at risk to help their fellow Iraqi's in a struggle to survive. They possess traditional Christian values with morals and ethics of the highest standards. We support them in prayer each day as they go to a different kind of battle field. Their battle field is different than ours, however in many ways we are the same. Together we form the hand of God reaching out to a nation in serious trouble.