Austin Phillips
austin@heartforhim.org
Dr. Austin Phillips is a native of Georgia. He and his wife, Janet, have been married for 42 years, and have 4 children and 6 grandsons. They reside in Dothan, AL. He serves H.I.M. as the Local Church Coordinator, and is responsible for developing ongoing resources for local church pastors and their congregations.
Phillips is a man of much experience, having served as pastor of churches in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. He came to faith in Christ as a pre-law student in college on April 25, 1966, married Janet in February of the following year. An alumnus of North Texas State University, Dr. Phillips holds a BA degree in Bible from Trinity College of Florida, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary.
His ministry experience includes daily radio broadcasts for a number of years, teaching high school, college, and seminary, as well as serving as Vice Chancellor of Bethany Divinity College for 3 years. He has travelled to more than 25 countries preaching and teaching the Word of God.
We are thankful to have Dr. Phillips on staff with us at H.I.M. and look forward to his working with local churches around the world providing resources to pastor and people for building responsible relationships and true discipleship.
IN AN EFFORT TO EQUIP AND ENABLE THE ENTIRE BODY OF CHRIST EVERYWHERE, H.I.M. WILL PROVIDE TOOLS AND TRAINING IN WHAT WE BELIEVE ARE THE ESSENTIALS FOR CHRISTIAN GROWTH IN THREE BASIC AREAS:
COMMITMENT - According to John there are three levels of Christian growth:
- Little Children - These are not necessarily children in age but in stage. They are believers who need to be nurtured and nourished; those who have not moved past the pre-occupation of forgiven sins. They struggle with defeat, despair, and discouragement, and constantly find themselves seeking forgiveness. I will explain more later. I call this the "Pleading stage". These are the inductees into the Lord's army and are still in basic training.
- Young Men - These are they who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil. They are preoccupied with victory. It is not to say that they do not experience occasional defeat, but it is not their way of life. They are the warriors, the fighters, the "special forces" of the Lord's army, and their training and development is much more intensive. They follow "instructions" and feed infants. I call this the "Prepared" stage.
- The Fathers - We must all understand that these terms are generic for both sexes. These are the ones who have lived and served faithfully, having nurtured and nourished many through the years and are now the "instructors". Having learned (and still learning) that we are in a continuing education program with God and are not to be intimidated, but imitated. These are the Pauls and Peters of the faith. They are humble and honored. I call this the "Paternal Stage". A "father" (or mother) must be confident, compassionate, consistent, and consumed with the care of children. Our Father in heaven is for us.
- Time - No relationship survives without meeting the demand of time. Spouses need it. Children need it. Friends need it. Employers need it. Employees need it. Pastors need it. WE NEED IT! Time alone with God is essential.
- Transparency - We may fool some people, but we never fool Father. He knows us best and loves us most. If He who is absolutely perfect in holiness can do that, why can't we who claim to have Him living in us? Even when Father chastens us, it is because He loves us. Even when we "rebuke, reprove, and exhort", we must do it with the fruit of the Spirit (longsuffering) and the Word of God (doctrine), knowing that the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle toward all. We are to be the truth about God and God is the TRUTH. We must become transparent without fear of others but with fear of HIM.
- Teachableness - Isn't it obvious that none of us knows it all? We can learn from one another if we will walk together with HIM in communion. Wesley was Arminian and Whitfield was Calvinist, but they worked and worshipped together. Which is more important, our differences in divisive differences or our devotion to HIS DEITY? "...Our fellowship is with the FATHER and with HIS SON" (and may I reverently add with the saints and by His Spirit).
- Transformation - "The Law of the Lord is perfect; converting the soul". As we walk in communion with Jesus and with one another, the Holy Spirit in us continues the work that He began in us. The older we get, the more we resist change, but the more we need it! Our purpose should never be lost in our progress. His purpose for us never changes: Conformation to HIM.
- Triumph - Through all the trials, the tests, the temptations, the travail, and the trouble comes the ultimate TRIUMPH. "We are MORE than conquerers through Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! He sees and knows the end, and it is triumph for us. Hallelujah! Stay close to THE COMMANDER and to your COMRADES. We are in war now. Just remember what Paul said in Colossians 1:24: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions". WOW! Every decent parent hurst when children hurt, but the hurt brings maturity. I wish I had time and space to develop that thought. Perhaps later.
- WHO God is - as revealed in the NAMES
- WHAT God is - as revealed by His NATURE
- WHAT HE DOES - as revealed in the NEEDS He meets in our lives.
- TOOLS FOR PRAY-ERS (including preachers and partners)
- TOOLS FOR PREACHERS (including missionaries and ministers)
- TOOLS FOR PARTNERS (including this ministry and others)