After more than 10 years of service at the Global Ministry Center of the Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Oliver Phillips announced his decision to accept the call to pastor the Colonial Church of the Nazarene in Orlando, Florida. 

Phillips left the innovative ministry of Community of Hope in Washington, D.C., to come to the International Headquarters. His responsibilities have included directing multicultural ministries, compassionate outreach, and ethnic ministries in the USA/Canada Region.  

In his present assignment as director of Mission Support for USA/Canada Region, Phillips said he "is responsible for creating awareness throughout the Church of the USA and Canada, for starting new churches, for extending the ministry of the church to all portions of society, and for encouraging an increase in compassionate ministries."

Phillips' visionary ministry at the Global Ministry Center included a focus on urban ministries. He describes his efforts to develop "strategies... and resources to assist churches and districts in the task of holistic evangelism in the urban areas through starting, strengthening, and stimulating congregations that seek to transform broken lives and impoverished communities."

"Oliver Phillips has not only increased the Black presence in the Church of the Nazarene, but also the multicultural presence, and for this Nazarenes are tremendously grateful," said Bob Broadbooks, USA/Canada Regional director.

In his letter of acceptance to Larry Dennis, Central Florida district superintendent, Phillips said, "It is with a deep sense of the urgency of the times and the importance of God's mission in Orlando generally, and the Lake Como neighborhood in particular, that Jean and I prayerfully and gladly accept the opportunity to craft a renewal ministry with the great people of the Colonial Church of the Nazarene."

Phillips will begin his work at Colonial on October 1.

"I trust Oliver and Jean will find great fulfillment in this new assignment. He will be missed at the GMC," General Superintendent J.K. Warrick said.