Ed Philips
Lay Elder
WHO are you?
My name is Ed Philips and I’ve been married to Maggi since June, 1973. We are so grateful that God gave us 6 children (5 of whom are married), and 7 grandchildren (so far!!!).
WHAT do you do?
I am a lay Elder at the Fields Church and run my own business in sales and marketing. I am grateful how the Lord has given me a business that gives me a great deal of flexibility with my time which makes it possible to be more available to serve. God gave me a longing to be part of “equipping the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). It is a joy to see Gods people living out the Gospel individually, in our families, and in our communities. My focus is ministry of the Word, prayer, and shepherding.
WHERE did you come from?
I was born in Florida and we moved 3 months later which was the pattern of my life for 40 years! I went to 10 different schools to get through High School so we moved almost every year as kid. I’ve lived east, west, north, and south in the U.S. and lived overseas for a number of years as well. God used the many experiences in those moves to equip me to be able to adjust to and appreciate other cultures easily. We moved to north Texas in 1992 and have been here since then.
WHEN were you saved?
Though my family attended church until I was 13 years old, my parents were not Christians. I was a rebel in my youth and in my late teens decided there is no God and became a committed atheist. My rebellious ways brought many terrible consequences. With a terrible marriage, abuse of alcohol, and a wild lifestyle I was headed for the grave at an early age. All through my life God gently but persistently confronted me with the truth through various ways that brought me to the point of knowing I was rebelling against God. Finally in 1980, at the age of 27, I surrendered, repented and believed on Jesus. God poured out His grace and provided life! One of the most important ways was He sent other Christians who served me and my family as they loved us, taught us, and were living examples of following Christ.
HOW has the gospel impacted you recently?
I am more and more aware of how wretched and hopeless I am without the glorious “Good News”. Just the awareness of my thoughts that so easily entertain covetousness, greed, self-centeredness, and other sinful thoughts makes me ever more grateful that Jesus Christ came and made it possible for me to be saved, that I am no longer condemned, and that God adopted me and I know He is my Father!
WHY are you at The Fields?
In my journey of more than 39 years as a believer, the Lord has refined my understanding of His desire for the function and life of the church as the body of Christ. Many things that used to seem so important really aren’t. Things that are important are love, ministry by the body, outreach, and healthy relationships with a strong commitment to unity. I am grateful to see all these things consistently being lived out at the Fields.