Five ways to describe him… Sensitive, Passionate, Committed, and Faithful, with a Shepherd’s heart.

What he does at First Free… Phil and his wife Dotty moved to Wichita in 1994 to join the ministry staff in the capacity of Associate Pastor of Care and Assimilation. In 2000 some areas of Adult Ministry were added to Phil’s oversight, including ministry to Men and Women, and Evangelism Training. As more staff was added Jo Coltrain began to serve as Director of Women’s Ministries in the fall of 2003. Phil oversees the work of our Deacons who serve in various capacities including visitation, caring ministry, newcomer contacts, assimilation, benevolence, church membership, baptism, and communion. He enjoys teaching in various Adult Bible Fellowship classes, Lay Bible Institute courses, and preaching (3 times a year). Phil also works as supervisor of weddings and meets with each couple who inquires about getting married at our church. As a result he is usually involved in premarital counseling and officiating at numerous weddings each year.

Family Life… Phil met and married his wife Dotty in 1970 while a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. They have three adult sons, all of whom are married. Ben and Robin live in Omaha, NE with three sons, Samuel, Kyle, and Micah (ages 5, 3, almost 1). Andy and Emily live in Wichita with three sons, Henry (5) and twins Nathan and William (3). Mark and Jennie live in Omaha, NE with Maggie, Simon, and Justin (ages 9, 7, 3).  Dotty teaches 3rd grade in Andover at Cottonwood Elementary School.

Life before First Free… Phil is the oldest son of a minister, and was raised in California. After graduating from college he attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL where he received his M. Div. degree in 1971. For the next 19 years he was the pastor of three churches in the Midwest and California, and then transitioned to an associate pastor role in a church in Grand Island Nebraska.  It was while he was in Nebraska that Phil was invited to join the staff at First Free.

Things you should know about Phil... He is passionate about his grandchildren; his U. of Nebraska football team (Go Huskers!); his vegetable and flower gardens; and his woodworking projects. His favorite book is Knowing God, by J.I. Packer. He loves to read historical fiction novels (favorite author is Leon Uris). If it was a safe pastime Phil would own and drive a classic Harley Davidson chopper. Phil and Dotty like to watch re-runs of Columbo, and The Rockford Files, and enjoy the many Middle Eastern eateries in the Wichita area.