ARRON WILSON PHILLIPS
September 25, 1928 -
July 17, 2009
The best is yet to come!
Arron Wilson Phillips Obituary
On July 17, 2009 Arron Wilson Phillips, senior pastor and co-founder of Abundant Life Covenant Church, peacefully transitioned from his physical body to his spiritual body as he lie sleeping. Wilson was born September 25, 1928 to Raymond and Mary Eva (Webb) Phillips in Excelsior, Mo. He married Patricia Buckallew on January 29, 1949 in Centerville, Iowa. To this union three children were born—Stephen, Beverly, and Timothy.
The seventh of nine children, Wilson went through character-building circumstances as a child and then in 1965, fully surrendered to the God of his father, who was a pioneer pastor in the Assemblies of God. In 1967 Wilson followed the leading of the Lord and left his successful career with the Union Pacific Railroad to enter into public ministry. After receiving his bachelor of arts in Bible at Central Bible College, he pastored in Sedalia and Republic.
During Pastor Phillips’ eight years at Republic, God began to teach him deeper kingdom truths about love, acceptance, and forgiveness and the divine work of the cross. God instructed him to establish a body-life ministry in which these kingdom truths could be implemented. Pastor Phillips taught his congregation—and demonstrated to them—the necessity of having open, honest relationships with God and one another. He brought many into victorious living by showing them their identity in Christ. His daily radio broadcast on KWFC helped the message get out into the Springfield community.
In March 1983, Pastor Phillips and others who had the same vision formed Abundant Life Ministries in Springfield. Now named Abundant Life Covenant Church, it resides at 157 Park Central Square in the old Fox Theatre. With more than one pastor, the church gave Pastor Phillips the biblical title of Bishop, overseer of pastors.
The church came downtown when the Square was closed to through traffic—dead in most aspects. Bringing light to the blight, Bishop Phillips and the congregation has encouraged and prayed for community leaders. They believe that God placed them in this key location to bring down political, social, racial, and religious barriers. Bishop Phillips supported and served downtown organizations.
Bishop Phillips was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ray, Gale, and Herschel; and sisters, Joanne Poindexter and Mary Kelley.
Wilson Phillips is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia; their children and spouses, Stephen and Sally Phillips of Houston, Texas, Beverly and Walt Dimmitt of Port Huron, Michigan, and Timothy and Phyllis Phillips of Springfield, Missouri; siblings, Dorothy Louise Burch, Marjorie Heath, and Ed Phillips; and sisters-in-law, Vernadine and Marjorie Phillips. He also leaves behind a church family who loves and appreciates him more than words can express. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Memorial service will be at Abundant Life Covenant Church Thursday 10 a.m. with Pastor Benjamin Davis officiating. Memorial donations can be made to American Heart Association, 2446 E. Madrid St., Springfield, MO 65804.