Pastor Phil: A Pastor for the People

At Freedom Center Church, we believe that being a pastor is more than standing on a platform or delivering a sermon. It’s about sitting across the table, shaking hands in the hallway, sharing laughter in hard times, and pointing people back to Jesus in love. That’s what makes Pastor Phil who he is. For decades, he hasn’t just preached sermons- he’s pastored hearts. He’s the kind of leader who remembers your story, asks about your family, and prays with you in the middle of the grocery store aisle if that’s what you need. 


To know Pastor Phil is to know a man who treasures his family, loves his church, and believes ministry begins and ends with people.

A Life Rooted in Family and Faith

Pastor Phil has always been a man who treasures people. Whether it’s his family at home, his faith family at Freedom Center, or even strangers who cross his path, his heart is to connect and care. He and his wife, Teresa, have been married for 46 years, a partnership built on love, faith, and shared calling. Together, they raised children, watched grandchildren grow, and now delight in the blessing of great-grandchildren. Their love for Jesus and each other has been the foundation of everything they’ve built together.


Outside of ministry, Phil enjoys simple joys: playing pickleball (thanks to his brother who got him hooked), working out, and spending time outdoors. Whether he’s walking in the woods, hiking, or camping, being in God’s creation gives him life and peace.

Called to Serve

Phil’s calling into ministry was never about chasing a title, it was about filling a need. From the moment he gave his life to Jesus, serving felt like the most natural next step. If there was a need, he met it. Youth ministry, children’s church, men’s ministry, worship- he stepped in wherever he could. Even as the youngest board member, he thought differently, not just about programs but about people.


That’s Phil at his core: noticing where people are hungry, physically and spiritually-and finding a way to meet them there.


Even as a child, there were indications of what was to come. One Sunday, young Phil wandered away from his family and up to the pulpit. The preacher remarked, “One day, he’ll preach here.” That prophecy has long since been fulfilled.

A Pastor at Heart

When asked what he loves most about serving at Freedom Center, Pastor Phil doesn’t hesitate: “The people.” For him, preaching is just the cherry on top. What fills his heart is the pastoring- walking with people through their struggles, celebrating their victories, and simply being present. He often says, “Don’t come watch me preach, come watch me pastor.” And if you spend any time at Freedom Center, you’ll see exactly what he means.

Moments of God’s Presence

Phil has had many encounters where God’s presence became undeniably real, but one memory stands above the rest. When Teresa was pregnant with Jeremy complications threatened both mother and baby, and Jeremy’s heart even stopped at one point. But that morning, during his devotion time, Phil read the words “It is well.” That promise from God anchored him.

Unbeknownst to him, Teresa had received the same message from the Lord that very morning. It was God’s way of assuring them both that Jeremy’s life was in His hands.

Anchored in Scripture

Two passages of Scripture have defined Pastor Phil’s walk with Jesus. The first is John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This verse has been the foundation of his Christian life, shaping the way he views both ministry and daily living.


The second is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”


Phil often visualizes his grandmother in her kitchen- she would pour her coffee so hot that she had to let it run off and cool in the saucer beneath her cup. Today, he says he’s “drinking from the saucer” because his cup has overflowed. That simple image captures the abundant life he has found in Jesus.

Ministry in Partnership

Phil’s ministry has never been a solo journey, it’s always been side by side with Teresa. Anointed to sing since she was just two years old, Teresa’s gift of worship has shaped countless services. Phil jokes that she sings both before and after his sermons so people can forget what he said, but in truth, her worship prepares hearts for God’s Word in powerful ways.


Beyond the stage, Teresa’s heart for people has left an undeniable mark on Freedom Center. She knows everyone’s favorite snacks, drinks, and little details that most people overlook- a reflection of her attentive love. The soup kitchen, which now serves over 300 meals a week, began as her vision to feed children in the neighborhood. Phil calls her the best pastor’s wife he’s ever known, though he knows he may be a bit biased.


Their story began at Freedom Center, too. As a teenager, Phil admits he was skipping Sunday school one day and sneaking up the stairs when he first saw Teresa heading down to Sunday school. He was smitten at first sight and the rest is history.

The Gift of Family

One of Phil’s greatest joys is being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Looking back, Pastor Phil is quick to admit that without Jesus, he wouldn’t have been the husband, father, or grandfather he is today. “Jesus worked on my character,” he says. That growth shaped everything- from the way he loves Teresa to the way he raises his children and grandchildren.

He has always prayed for his family to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, to hear God’s voice clearly in their lives. Even before his children were born, he prayed for their future spouses- prayers he’s seen answered in powerful ways.


He delights in watching his family grow, seeing their talents develop, and watching them chase after God. While it’s hard to see loved ones walk through pain, Phil never stops praying, encouraging, and believing the best for each of them.

Sharing Ministry with His Son

Few things have brought Phil more joy than sharing ministry with his son, Jeremy. He trusts him completely and treasures the privilege of serving alongside him.


One memory stands out: while Phil and Teresa were away on a cruise, Jeremy had to step in to lead a funeral. He handled it with such grace and strength that the congregation gave him a standing ovation. For Phil, that moment confirmed what he already knew: Jeremy wasn’t just his son, he was his fellow pastor, ready to shepherd God’s people.



Looking Ahead

When Phil talks about the future of Freedom Center, his excitement is contagious. He looks to the next generation with great expectation, eager to see how God will move through them. He envisions more campuses, more opportunities to reach people, and lives transformed from the north, south, east, and west.

Words of Wisdom

Phil’s advice to the next generation of believers is simple: “Hear from God, not the world.” He reminds young leaders that God doesn’t call the most polished or perfect- He calls the available. “The only ability God looks for is availability,” he says.

But Phil also emphasizes the importance of character. “Your calling will only carry you as far as your character will take you.” It’s a reminder that being used by God begins not with talent or charisma, but with humility and faithfulness.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Pastor Phil has never measured ministry by numbers or by sermons preached. He measures it in people- their faces, their stories, their victories, and even their struggles. He is, at his core, a pastor for the people: steady, approachable, and deeply compassionate. Whether you meet him in the sanctuary, playing pickleball, or at a church event, he’ll meet you right where you are- and point you to Jesus every single time.