Phil Robertson
Pastor Phil Robertson was born in eastern North Carolina. His early childhood years were experienced on a farm followed by several moves to different churches and schools after his parents – Alice and Leroy Robertson began employment with the church. Ever grateful for Seventh-day Adventist Christian parents, Phil has been richly blessed by a home life that taught him to honor the Lord and others. His family was very active in the church and Phil remembers being at the church virtually every time the doors were unlocked. It was at an evangelistic series at which he was leading the music that he committed his life to the Lord’s service.
When Phil was 15 years old his father died. At this time of sadness and transition he was especially grateful for the precious time that he spent with his father caring for him during his final illness. His mother has been a continuing source of inspiration and courage throughout his life. There have been other mentors who have had an impact on the worldview that has developed through shared experiences. Brothers Wayne and John Thurber stepped in to his life at very important times during the adolescent and young adult years. Their picture of God clothed in Love and Grace had a profound influence on Phil.
Pastor Phil graduated from Mount Pisgah Academy in 1973 along with his roommate, Mic Thurber. A few months later he met Kathie Thurber and, after a year of dating as they served with the Carolina Conference Youth Evangelism Team, Phil and Kathie were married in the spring of 1975. They both attended Southwestern Union College for a couple of years where he studied Religion and Accounting. They later transferred to Southern Missionary College from which Phil graduated in 1979.
Phil has served as an academy treasurer, vice-principal and religion teacher, an auditor for the General Conference (during which time he obtained his license as a Certified Public Accountant), a conference treasurer, a hospital chaplain, a ministry administrator and a local church pastor. While each of these areas of service has yielded evidence of ministry blessing, it is the privilege of serving the local church as a community of faith, that has been the most rewarding.
Phil and Kathie are grateful for and very proud of their two children, Stephen and Sebrina. Sebrina has further expanded the family with the addition of two incredibly awesome grandchildren, Allison and Brandon. Together with a very supportive, extended family they are looking forward to the soon return of Jesus and an eternal family reunion.