Pastor's Profile
Rev. Phillip Stout

Information About Me And My Family

Employment experience prior to ministry

Information About Appointments And Accomplishments
Specific accomplishments in churches served:

1. Chiquola/Donalds

• Started a live nativity and new Sunday school classes.
• Revived VBS; visitation of inactive and shut-ins; men's group; and youth fellowship.
• Started a tape ministry; 5^th Sunday singing services; Mother's and Father's day dinners; and Bible studies.
• Helped raise money for new roof.
• Other personal accomplishments included finishing seminary, learning to pastor, and learning to trust God for the strength and compassion required in ministry.

2. Shiloh

• Started mission project for DSS and AIDS families.
• Conducted a Sunday school and worship crusade.
• Upgraded sound system.
• Started a 4^th of July family day, Sunday afternoon family softball, news letter, cancer walk team, an ecumenical monthly concert, spirituality groups, and Bible studies.
• Other personal accomplishments included learning to resolve conflict, finding peace in all circumstances, and becoming involved in the community outside the local church.

3. New Hope/John Wesley (West Anderson charge)

• Revived the youth group.
• Started a Sunday night contemporary worship service and praise team.
• Shepherded a number of young adults and youth to profess Christ as their Savior.
• Established an Evangelism team and worked with them to help the church grow.
• Conducted Bible studies for married couples, families, and individuals.
• Organized volleyball games and other youth activities to promote spiritual growth for both families and youth.
• Other personal accomplishments include mentoring, spiritual renewal, and marriage.

Areas Of Service/Responsibilities In Which I Have Participated On District And Annual Conference Levels:

• Marion District: Council on Ministries, Education chair, Dean of Job Function Workshops, Disaster Response Team.
• Anderson District: Mentor, Worship chair, Cluster leader, Council on Ministries.
• Conference: Worship committee.

My personal faith is rooted in a lifetime of Methodism and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. My call was profound, calling me from a position of unlimited financial possibilities to a position of unlimited spiritual possibilities. My strong faith allowed me to accept God's call to the ordained ministry, to return to college and seminary, and to depend on God to take care of me and my family. In 2004 I took a one month spiritual renewal leave and found a deep love for God than I have ever known. This time not only renewed my spirituality, but it also gave my ministry new meaning and purpose. I believed now more than ever that my call can best be fulfilled through ministry in the United Methodist Church as a shepherd leader of God's people.

Armed with a high school diploma and an International Correspondence course in engineering, I started my own business in 1968. For the next 20 years I learned to run a growing business mostly by doing. Hearings God's call to the ministry, I sold my business and moved to South Carolina to start a consulting company and attend college. While a senior in college at USC Upstate (then USCS), I accepted an appointment to Chiquola/Donalds. I attended seminary at Erskine where I received a conservative theological education.

I have continued my education as follows: 

My 30 years of running my own business, a degree in business administration, and the grace of God give me the enthusiasm and courage to lead, teach, administer, develop leaders, work in cooperation with groups and individuals, and to think Biblically. My ministry, business, and life experiences combine to allow me to relate with compassion to people of all social, economic, and spiritual levels. My love for evangelism and desire to make disciples have helped me to mature as a preacher and pastor. My seminary and continuing education in counseling and nurture have been helpful in my ministry.

I was born in a rural setting in Ohio, moved to Atlanta where I lived for 20 years and then to rural South Carolina near Greenville. I have lived in both rural and urban setting in South Carolina and adapt to all setting as required by my situation. I do not prefer one over the other.

Our family consists of five children and nine grandchildren. Three of our grandchildren live in Knoxville, TN., and six live in the Greenville area.