My name is Elder Calvin Phillips and I was born the oldest of four children. I have three sisters and we together, with our parents, lived in different parts of Cincinnati throughout the years; namely Walnut Hills, Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights. My mother taught me to believe in God and my father taught me the importance of a good work ethic. In my younger years, I wondered why I didn’t act like the other kids. They did things that didn’t interest me; they were always getting in trouble. I did not fit in.
I left Cincinnati and family to join the Army to discover a whole new world. It was in the Army that I learned discipline and the ability to follow. I was given various levels of responsibility and leadership. Every team I was on or led excelled above the others.
During that time I received Merit of Honor medals, 3 oak leaf clusters, a Good Conduct medal and was chosen Soldier of the Day and Soldier of the Quarter. These recognitions were given to soldiers who were chosen from many of their peers as outstanding soldiers. These soldiers exemplified the Army’s code of conduct and ethics.
In hindsight, I now realize that God’s hand was upon me even then. He moved me out of my family environment to help mold me into the man I am today. The Lord’s protection was around me even in my sin. There were times when I should have died, but I was spared because of my mother’s prayers. I served in the Army and Ready Reserves for twelve years.
After leaving the military I said, “I would never go back to Cincinnati, Ohio again,” but I was not as happy as I thought I'd be. God put a desire in me to go home. Every day I had a strong desire to go back to Cincinnati, Ohio. When I returned to Cincinnati my mother told me, her prayer was answered. She said the church was praying for my safe return, and one of the prophets prophesied that “She would hear her son preach the gospel.” I have an uncle who also told me that I was called to minister and preach Gods Word.
I worked for the Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services, that is where I met my wife. I was a Lead Custodian which as a supervisor prepared me for the job I have now here in Delaware. The Lord blessed me in my former job to know how to fix things and to make things work. I was able to save the company thousands of dollars because I was able to fix things that others said was no longer any good. It was the anointing of God! I was able to bring the same experience gained on my job in the church.
When I was young the Sunday school teacher taught us a song. “His eye is on the Sparrow" I used to think on the message of the song, God watches over the sparrow and I know he watches over me. This song stayed with me because during my young adult life I would sing that song to help me in my times of trouble.
I received the Holy Ghost in December of 1998 and during my baptism God brought back to my memory all the times he delivered me and who I was going to marry. I have been part of True Holiness Assemblies of Truth ever since. I belonged to the local congregation of True Holiness Covenant of Peace Assembly of Walnut Hills. Serving the Lord is my life!
I have served over the years as a Sunday school teacher, Usher, a Trustee, Facility Manager, Senior Deacon and armor bearer for my Presiding Bishop while attending church in Cincinnati, Ohio. I preached my first message in July of 2011 and was ordained an Elder in 2013. I am on the National Board of Elders in our organization which means that I participate in the opportunities set forth by our Presiding Bishop and Board of Bishop to groom Elders for various roles of leadership within the organization. It is out of this group that pastors are chosen as God directs our Presiding Bishop.
I have learned many things through the church about business and order in the church. This knowledge is a help to us as we go forth in the work of God. I cannot begin to tell just how good God has been to me! As the song writer said, "I just can't tell it all!"
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalms 62:2)
I left Cincinnati and family to join the Army to discover a whole new world. It was in the Army that I learned discipline and the ability to follow. I was given various levels of responsibility and leadership. Every team I was on or led excelled above the others.
During that time I received Merit of Honor medals, 3 oak leaf clusters, a Good Conduct medal and was chosen Soldier of the Day and Soldier of the Quarter. These recognitions were given to soldiers who were chosen from many of their peers as outstanding soldiers. These soldiers exemplified the Army’s code of conduct and ethics.
In hindsight, I now realize that God’s hand was upon me even then. He moved me out of my family environment to help mold me into the man I am today. The Lord’s protection was around me even in my sin. There were times when I should have died, but I was spared because of my mother’s prayers. I served in the Army and Ready Reserves for twelve years.
After leaving the military I said, “I would never go back to Cincinnati, Ohio again,” but I was not as happy as I thought I'd be. God put a desire in me to go home. Every day I had a strong desire to go back to Cincinnati, Ohio. When I returned to Cincinnati my mother told me, her prayer was answered. She said the church was praying for my safe return, and one of the prophets prophesied that “She would hear her son preach the gospel.” I have an uncle who also told me that I was called to minister and preach Gods Word.
I worked for the Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services, that is where I met my wife. I was a Lead Custodian which as a supervisor prepared me for the job I have now here in Delaware. The Lord blessed me in my former job to know how to fix things and to make things work. I was able to save the company thousands of dollars because I was able to fix things that others said was no longer any good. It was the anointing of God! I was able to bring the same experience gained on my job in the church.
When I was young the Sunday school teacher taught us a song. “His eye is on the Sparrow" I used to think on the message of the song, God watches over the sparrow and I know he watches over me. This song stayed with me because during my young adult life I would sing that song to help me in my times of trouble.
I received the Holy Ghost in December of 1998 and during my baptism God brought back to my memory all the times he delivered me and who I was going to marry. I have been part of True Holiness Assemblies of Truth ever since. I belonged to the local congregation of True Holiness Covenant of Peace Assembly of Walnut Hills. Serving the Lord is my life!
I have served over the years as a Sunday school teacher, Usher, a Trustee, Facility Manager, Senior Deacon and armor bearer for my Presiding Bishop while attending church in Cincinnati, Ohio. I preached my first message in July of 2011 and was ordained an Elder in 2013. I am on the National Board of Elders in our organization which means that I participate in the opportunities set forth by our Presiding Bishop and Board of Bishop to groom Elders for various roles of leadership within the organization. It is out of this group that pastors are chosen as God directs our Presiding Bishop.
I have learned many things through the church about business and order in the church. This knowledge is a help to us as we go forth in the work of God. I cannot begin to tell just how good God has been to me! As the song writer said, "I just can't tell it all!"
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalms 62:2)