About Pastor Phil Butler

Pastor Phil has been preaching since he was in high school. Pastor Phil has pastored 4 churches since 1981: Winslow Grace Bible Church of Winslow, Illinois; Artichoke Lake Baptist Church of Correll, Minnesota; First Baptist Church of Appleton, Minnesota; and First Baptist Church of Colfax, Iowa.

While at Winslow Grace Bible Church, Phil was ordained to the gospel ministry in April 1983. This church provided excellent experience in being a new pastor. He also worked driving school bus for the Lena-Winslow School District, and did farm labor for two Christian farm families in the area - Jerry Ann Gobeli and her sons and Bill and Barb Duncan.  He also began his graduate work at Moody Seminary. 

While at Artichoke Lake Baptist Church from June 1987 - October 1997, Pastor Phil was the voice of the weekly radio program "Accent on the Bible" and the Camp Director of Big Stone Camp for Christ of Ortonville, Minnesota.  He also did farm work for one of the families in the church, Dave and Jean Jorgenson. Then the last two and a half years he also pastored First Baptist Church of Appleton as a yoked parish. 

At First Baptist Church of Colfax, Iowa, Pastor Phil served exactly 20 years as Senior Pastor from November 1, 1997 - November 1, 2017. He has the privilege of working with 3 different youth pastors.  A lot of the ministry changed in the 20 years, and Pastor Phil was the longest serving pastor in the 128 year history of the church. 

Pastor Phil received his undergraduate education at University of Northwestern St. Paul graduating in 1979.  He then received his graduate degree from Moody Seminary in 1995.

Pastor Phil has been married to Jeannette for over 41 years.  They have 3 children: Holly Jochims (husband Ryan), Melinda Harshbarger (husband Nick), and Dale (who is in heaven).  Plus two grandchildren – Trey and Brianna.

Pastor Phil and Jeannette continue to live in Colfax, Iowa.  Since November 2017 he has been employed by Durham School Services as a substitute bus driver in six different school districts in the Des Moines area, periodically driving truck for a truck dealer, doing Sunday pulpit supply, this podcast ministry, encouraging pastors, and serving his family. 

Since October 1, 2019, Pastor Phil has been honored to serve as the Interim Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church in Newton, Iowa.  You can hear his messages at their website: www.cbfnewton.org/sermons