About Pastor Phil Butler

Pastor Phil Butler is originally from north central Iowa. He was born in Charles City and raised on a farm near Bristow.  His parents are Paul and Shirley Butler and his sister is Janell.  He was saved at an early age, baptized at age 11, and his home church is Calvary Baptist Church of Greene.  He graduated from Allison-Bristow High School in 1975.

Pastor Phil received his undergraduate education at University of Northwestern St. Paul, MN, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry degree.  He received his graduate education at Moody Seminary, Chicago, IL, graduating in 1995 with a Master of Arts in Ministry degree.

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 also Bill and Barb Duncan.  It was at this church Phil 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. 

Then he went to First Baptist Church of Colfax, Iowa, and Pastor Phil was honored to serve exactly 20 years as Senior Pastor from November 1, 1997 – November 1, 2017.  He had the privilege of working with 3 different youth pastors: Danny DuRocher, Jeriah Shank, and Randy Shideler.  A lot of the ministry changed in the 20 years, and Pastor Phil was the longest serving pastor in the 130 year history of the church. 

Pastor Phil has been married to Jeannette for over 42 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 doing pulpit supply and interim ministry,  is 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, encouraging pastors, and serving his family. 

From October 1, 2019 – May 10, 2020, Pastor Phil was the Interim Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Newton, Iowa.  You can still hear his messages on their website: www.cbfnewton.org/sermons.

Beginning June 2020, Pastor Phil is the Interim Pastor at Allison Bible Church,  Allison, Iowa.