ABOUT

     We live in a world where people celebrate the passing of the baton—but rarely do they pause to honor the weight of the one chosen to carry it. July 28, 2024, was more than just a date—it was a divine interruption. It was the kind of moment that couldn't be explained, only encountered.

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     On that unforgettable Sunday, one pastor stood before his beloved flock with trembling lips and a heavy heart. He announced that God was calling him higher—into a new season, a new city, and a new state. Tears fell. Hearts shattered. A silence filled the room that words couldn’t break. But then… a hand reached out. A key was passed. A mantle was transferred. And in that sacred moment of transition, a new shepherd rose. Bishop R.E. Phillips Sr., M.Div.—a man handpicked by Heaven and trusted by leadership—stepped forward. Not just with authority, but with humility. Not just with vision, but with love.

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     Since that day, he has not demanded loyalty—he has offered love. He has not ruled from a throne—he has served from the trenches. And with every sermon, every sacrifice, and every silent prayer, he has lived out one simple, soul-stirring plea: “You should let me love you.” And oh, how he has loved us. Fiercely. Fully. Faithfully. Without condition. Without pause. Some vowed never to return. Others said they’d give it 30 days to see how it would unfold. But it turns out—Bishop Phillips didn’t need 30. He only needed 7. From that initial Sunday to his first official Sunday on August 1st, Bishop Phillips didn’t wait to talk about change—he walked in being the change. With over $20,000 worth of instruments, speakers, amps, monitors, cameras, and media equipment, he immediately invested—not just into a building, but into a vision. A sound booth was built. A media booth was constructed. And with it, a bridge was formed—a bridge that now carries the Gospel into the homes of our senior saints, who can’t weather the winters… to our working warriors in the marketplace… and to souls across the city, the state, the nation, and even the world. This wasn’t just about sound quality—it was about soul quality. Bishop Phillips didn’t just upgrade equipment—he upgraded expectation. He didn’t just build booths—he built belief. In seven days, he reminded us what’s possible when God places the right shepherd in the right soil at the right season.

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     Bishop Phillips quickly proved that he is more than just an anointed man of God—he is also an exceptional administrator, a strategic mind with a servant’s heart. In just 120 days, he secured over $45,000 in grant funding, standing in the gap and covering what was uncovered. Past due bills that threatened disconnection were wiped clean. The heat stayed on. The lights never dimmed. Hope was restored. But he didn’t stop there. He saw the cold coming—and prepared warmth for those who serve. New windows were installed in the upper levels and office spaces so our officers wouldn’t freeze in the bitter Indiana winter. And then came the cleanup. Not just of rooms, but of mindsets. Not just of closets, but of culture. We tore down walls—and we built up vision. Rooms were repurposed. Stages were raised. Studios were birthed. The once-forgotten became the now-functional. A media space for podcasts and radio, a youth and recreation center outfitted with pool tables, basketball hoops, and arcade games—designed not just for fun, but for fellowship with purpose. And in the center of it all? A place of honor. A place of legacy. A place of love. We named it The Wright Place, in honor of our most faithful matriarch, Pastor Christine Wright. And it is now home to SURGE—our youth initiative meaning Surrendering Under A Righteous God. Here, the next generation doesn’t just hang out—they grow up, rise up, and stand up. This isn’t just revival. This is renaissance. This is reformation. This is what happens when vision meets vessel—and God breathes on it.

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     But on Resurrection Sunday 2025, something miraculous happened—something that generations before had dreamed of, but only God could bring to pass. The unthinkable became reality. The unimaginable was conquered. Bishop R.E. Phillips Sr., M.Div. led the charge to bless New Birth Fellowship Church with our very first parking lot—a feat that many pastors before him prayed for, planned for, but never saw fulfilled. And yet, through the favor of God and the faithfulness of one man, the impossible became pavement. But he didn’t stop there. With thoughtful precision, he designated reserved parking spaces for faithful staff, for our administrative team, and for our elderly and disabled members—because excellence for him doesn’t end at completion, it continues in compassion. And just when you thought the story would rest there, more bricks were laid. Plans are now underway for roof repairs and a new accessibility ramp, but let us pause—not just to thank God for the physical construction, but to celebrate the spiritual construction happening inside these walls.

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     Under Bishop Phillips’ powerful preaching and transformational teaching, the church has not only survived—it has thrived. Over 40 souls baptized. Kingdom classes launched. Auxiliaries activated. Men’s ministry, women’s ministry, marriage ministry, youth ministry, music ministry— all alive and flourishing. Preachers have been licensed. Leaders have been lifted. Gifts have been stirred. And through it all—he has walked upright. With integrity. With clean hands. With a pure heart. He is one of the realest, one of the funniest, and yes, at times, one of the roughest—but always one of the most faithful. He is a bishop to the body, a father to the flock, and the love of my life. So I stand not just as a first lady, but as a witness. Not just as a wife, but as a worshipper. And with great pride and deep reverence, I present to some and introduce to others... My leader. My love. Our Bishop. Our builder. Bishop R.E. Phillips Sr., M.Div.