Meet the Operation World Team

Molly Wall: USA

I came to Operation World in 2009 via the US Center for World Mission. After enjoying the benefits of the book personally and within a mission agency, I now count myself privileged to serve this ministry and the first-rate team behind it! I’m thankful to enjoy my work – especially the research (yes, even statistics!) and informing aspects of Operation World, and the chance to connect with believers worldwide.

But there is plenty more to enjoy … some favourites are: music – playing, listening, exploring new groups and genres – my tastes are varied as the world is full of good sounds! I love travel and hardly tire exploring a new place (just ask my oft-bedraggled companions). The great outdoors is hard to beat, especially where mountains meet the sea. Other pastimes include reading, cooking and sampling good food and… making the most of work and play with friends and family near and far.

Watch my interview (from the Meet the Staff of Operation World video) (1:56)

Tony Woodward: UK

After travelling around the world on business for over 30 years, as Managing Director of an international speciality paper manufacturer, it is wonderful to now be part of the Operation World team at Bulstrode and see the thrilling things the Lord is doing throughout the world.  Living locally enables me to help the Operation World team as they research the diversity and growth of the Kingdom of God. 

Hobbies: Violin – badly.  Gardening - reluctantly.  Swimming – frequently.  Reading - avidly.

Shin Seon Jeong: South Korea

I joined the Operation World team in December of 2009. My calling came through a special experience of seeing a vision at ‘Mission Korea’ in 1996 where there was a drawing of an atlas of the whole world. God’s guidance through this enormous picture led me here to OW! Now, working at OW, I am seeking the next vision from God.

I’m from Seoul, South Korea. I have parents, two brothers, two sisters in law, two nephews and two nieces in Korea and Australia. I like listening to and singing classical music and hymns. When I cook and serve people, I feel  happy. I love history, so it’s a great opportunity to live in UK - one of the world’s historic lands. I enjoy looking up a particular place name on a map.

Watch my interview (from the Meet the Staff of Operation World video)(1:36)

Dr. David Phillips: Brazil

I was raised in a missionary home, surrounded with Brazilian Indian adornments and bows and arrows, but my interest was building ships.  However God called to Brazil in 1963 and I have served there with both UFM and WEC, first on the Amazon, then in a cattle ranching area, finally as a theology lecturer and have the deep satisfaction of seeing former students now on various mission fields. I was 'hooked' as a mission researcher working for 13 years with Patrick Johnstone, during which I researched the missionary challenge of the world's nomadic peoples for the book Peoples on the Move. I now research Indian Peoples for a Brazilian Research Site Instituto Antropos. My passion and hobby is seeking to find answers in Biblical Theology to the challenge of pagan cultures. I love reading history, painting landscape and still life, visiting Brazil and enjoy my grandchildren.

Watch my interview (from the Meet the Staff of Operation World video) (3:46)

Michael & Dawna Jaffarian: USA

We have been missionaries since 1983, serving in India, Singapore, Virginia (USA) and now England. Michael has worked full-time in global mission research since 1992. Dawna has worked with missionary children and mission resources. After our son Calvin finished university and moved to Chicago, and our daughter Jasmine married and moved to Texas, we looked at each other and said, “Maybe the Lord wants us in England.” We prayed, God led, we sold our house, packed up our stuff, and here we are. It’s a great privilege to serve in such a significant ministry, with such a delightful, gifted team.  We love our hometown of Eugene, Oregon, but also love our adopted home of England. Maybe the connection is weather (as in: wet). Fish and Chips, the Britain kittens, bring joy and chaos into our home. Visiting museums and enjoying great art has long been a special family hobby, and for that London is, well, not too bad. Dawna quilts; Michael draws; both read.