Read an interview with Oliver on compassion and social justice.

 

OLIVER R. PHILLIPS 

Director, Mission Strategy US/Canada 

oliverrphillips@aol.com

 

Oliver R. Phillips, an ordained minister, presently serves as director, Mission Strategy US/Canada, in the USA/Canada Mission/Evangelism department for the Church of the Nazarene at its headquarters in Kansas City.

 

Prior to his present assignment, Phillips pastored the Baltimore Faith Church of the Nazarene, Baltimore, Maryland, and the Community of Hope Church in Washington, DC. As the coordinator of the Afro-Nazarene Leadership Conference on the Washington district, Phillips gave guidance to the district in its commitment to become more inclusive. Phillips served on various boards at the district level, and was very actively involved in compassionate ministries.

 

Undergraduate work was done at Caribbean Nazarene Theological College where Rev. Phillips graduated in 1965. Postgraduate work was completed at Howard University School of Divinity where Oliver completed the Master of Divinity course. He was the recipient of the "Vernon Johns Preaching Award" which is given to the graduating student whose preaching best exemplifies the social and prophetic preaching of Vernon Johns, the predecessor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Phillips went on to complete his doctoral studies at the International Bible College and Seminary, graduating with the Doctor of Ministry degree in Social Ministries.

 

Phillips is married to Jean who is an elementary school educator. The Phillips have three children, Ada, 24, Aaron, 22, and Anuli, 20. They reside in Olathe, Kansas.

 

Publication and Media Exposure

Phillips has authored his autobiography, “The God of a Second Chance,” as well as four booklets, “Starting Strong Churches in the Black Community,” “The 12 Step Program: Steps to Starting a Compassionate Ministry Center,” “Who Moved My Church?” and “The Urban Imperative.” “Katrina: Friends, Family, & Faith” was co-authored with Fletcher Tink. To be released in January 2007 is a new book, E Pluribus Unum: Challenges and Opportunities in Multicultural Ministry.