Meet Phil

Based at St Matthew’s Church in Edgeley, just outside Stockport, Phil is passionate about creating spaces where people feel welcomed, heard, and able to explore faith without fear or barriers. Alongside his ministry training, Phil works night shifts at Waitrose, balancing work, church life, study, and family life with humility and dedication.

Phil’s journey of faith began in childhood while growing up within the care system, where he was often connected to churches through children’s homes. Although those early experiences planted seeds of faith, it was years later, after reconnecting with an old school friend, that Phil encountered Jesus in a transformative way.

“I was always getting myself into trouble,” Phil reflects, “but one of the Sunday school leaders took me under his wing. He just kept having conversations with me and saw something in me.”

Those conversations became the beginning of a faith journey that has now spanned more than 30 years.

Throughout his life in the church, Phil repeatedly sensed God calling him towards ministry. However, as someone who is neurodivergent and dyslexic, he often felt overlooked or underestimated.

“People didn’t necessarily say it directly,” he explains, “but there was always this implication that I wasn’t intelligent enough for leadership or ministry.”

Despite those experiences, Phil continued faithfully serving in churches, building relationships, listening to people’s stories, and finding ways to connect with those who often felt on the margins. Over time, supportive church leaders encouraged him to pursue his calling more intentionally, leading him to begin training with Church Army.

For Phil, discovering Church Army felt like finding a place where his gifts, experiences, and calling were truly recognised.

“I realised I was naturally doing the work of an evangelist already,” he says. “I’ve always loved conversations, listening to people, and finding different ways of doing things.”

During his training, Phil has become passionate about advocating for neurodiverse people within the church. At St Matthew’s, he has been helping develop ways for churches to become more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

“We know that once you start helping neurodiverse and disabled people feel included, everybody benefits,” Phil says. “Church should be a place where everyone feels able to belong.”

Phil’s ministry is rooted in listening deeply to people’s stories and helping them discover how God is already at work in their lives. Through initiatives like “Soul Space”, he has helped create environments where people can ask questions about identity, faith, and purpose in an open and welcoming way.

“I think part of my calling is to give a voice to people who struggle to have one,” he shares.

Church Army training has not only strengthened Phil’s faith, but also his confidence and sense of purpose.

“It’s given me the confidence and affirmation that this is what God wants me to do.

Following Commissioning, Phil hopes to continue serving at St Matthew’s, helping to build stronger relationships between the church and the local community. Along with the team in his church, he is exploring ways to develop new opportunities for community evangelism and create safe spaces where people feel able to come as they are.

For Phil, Commissioning is a powerful moment of affirmation after many years of faithfully following God’s call.

“I’ve known for a long time that God had his hand on me,” he says. “This feels like confirmation of that calling.”

As Phil prepares for Admitting and Commissioning, he asks supporters to pray for wisdom and guidance as new ministry opportunities continue to emerge, and that churches would become places where every person feels welcomed, valued, and able to encounter God.