A Message from
Pastor Phil

Twenty years ago, I prayed a prayer; “Here I am, Father. Use me for the work of the harvest.” I was active at a small rural church in Blackford county, not realizing that when I prayed this prayer for many days, that he would call me into ministry. One year later, God placed me at Asbury Chapel UMC to minister and shepherd a small flock. For thirteen years, I worked full time at the paper mill in Hartford City, took classes to maintain my ministry license, completed my undergraduate degree at Indiana Wesleyan, preached and shepherd the small flock of people who became a family to Myra and I.

 

I left that family tired, and realized some time later, burned out. Myra and I churched hopped for several months before we landed with you at Eden. After attending for eight months, I joined the pastoral staff in April of 2023 with pastors Tammy and Matt. The Eden community along with the power of the Holy Spirit, was refilling my well and helping me heal from a poor rhythm and rule of life.

 

While all of you took Myra and I in as one of your own, we became attached and thriving with all that the Holy Spirit was doing. God was pouring into me and using me to help where ever I could while He nurtured me and filled me with His next mission in my life with God.

 

Early this year, I felt God calling me to something different. I thought it was going to be a new ministry area within the Eden community. I was wrong. Within a few weeks into the our Lenten journey, God was calling me to become a shepherd of a new group of people in Southern Wells county. For a little over three months, I along with Petroleum Community Church embarked on a three month discernment process, listening to God in the various ways He speaks to us to determine if this is God’s will for us to be together.

 

July 19, 2026 will be Myra’s and my last Sunday at Eden. I will begin with God’s help, Pastor at Petroleum Community Church on Sunday, August 2. My well has been filled up with ALL the things that God has and is doing to make Eden a special place. Just as I carried with me a family from Asbury Chapel, I carry with me a family from Eden. All of you will hold a special place in the hearts of Myra and I as we go forth in being obedient to our Lord and Creator.

 

I will remain active with the men’s study group (Forged By Fire) and I will be available to sit with anyone who desires to take a journey in spiritual direction.

 

Jesus said to His disciples;  “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields” Matthew 9:37 NLT. 

 

The harvest is plentiful and more workers are needed. You may not be needed to preach/lead a congregation, but maybe a small group. You may not be needed to pray before a large group, but maybe for someone in need. You may not be asked to lift and carry big, heavy things in the missional field, but maybe to sit with someone who just needs your hand. I did not know what God would use me for in His harvest work. But I remain obedient and overjoyed that He is still using me as He sees fit in this beautiful harvest!

 

We love you,

Pastor Phil and Myra