South Church: Passion for Christ... Compassion for Others

Doug Phillips grew up in Wilmington, Ohio and came to faith in Christ as a freshman in high school. He attended Cedarville College (now University) in Ohio. During his college years he had many opportunities for singing and preaching with traveling ministry teams, and he also served as student chaplain. After receiving his BA degree from Cedarville, Doug attended Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. During this time he also served as chaplain for the students of Cornerstone College and did a summer pastoral internship in Milford, Ohio. Upon receiving his Master of Divinity degree from GRBS, Doug entered into pastoral ministry. While serving as senior pastor for fifteen years, he also had opportunity to serve on the board of the City Rescue Mission, to lead a weekly chapel service at the Ingham County Care Facility, and to serve as chaplain of the Meridian Township Fire Department.

Doug met his wife, Becky, in Grand Rapids. After their marriage in 1998, Becky became the office manager at a church in East Lansing. She also travels to art shows in the Michigan area selling wearable art which she designs for women. Becky’s father was an evangelist, her oldest brother is the president of the Baptist General Conference and Converge Worldwide, and her other brother is a pastor in California. She received a Master of Religious Education degree from GRBS. Her own ministries have included directing children's ministry programs at their previous pastorate and co-directing Women's Ministries at South Church.