2010 Theme: ‘i 4 Mission’

February 26-28, 2010

Session Leader Biographies

Cathie and David Phillips

Cathie and David Phillips were first appointed by Canadian Baptist Ministries in October 1975 to leadership development ministries in Brazil. From October 1975 to July 1986, the Phillips served as CBM personnel in Brazil, working in leadership training. They first arrived in Brazil in 1977 and were posted to the city of Campo Grande to assist in the development of a new seminary, which opened in 1980. They were involved in discipleship, church renewal, church planting and compassionate ministries during the ten year task force. In their second phase of the Brazil work, the Phillips did teaching and counselling in the Seminary in Brasilia, and also worked in the implantation of the new “Pantanal Project” in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. This was a project of evangelism, church planting, education, medical and agricultural ministry to the swamp people living along the river in Western Brazil.

From May 1991 to January 1995, David and Cathie served as the CBM Area Representatives for Latin America with home base in Cochabamba, Bolivia. As Area Representatives, they gave leadership in all CBM work in Latin America including administration of CBM commitments in Latin America, personnel matters, and liaison between CBM and national church and government bodies.

In February 1994, David was appointed General Secretary of the Canadian Baptist Ministries, a position he held from January 1995 to August 2000. It was during this time that the new Canadian Baptist Ministries was born from a merger between Canadian Baptist International Ministries and the Canadian Baptist Federation. During this time Cathie exercised her gifts and experience in ministry to ‘Third Culture Kids’ (TCKs), networking and reaching out to TCKs of all ages, developing bonds of friendship and support as she addressed their unique needs.

In August 2000 David was appointed to leadership development ministries in the Middle East. Cathie continues her ministry to TCKs.

David was born in Winnipeg but raised in Kenya, East Africa, the son of missionary parents. The influence of vital African evangelical Christianity, as well as the example of missionary life, made a lasting impression on David. David came to faith while a young child. He attended Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, a school for TCKs. In 1964 David returned to Canada to study at the University of Winnipeg.

Cathie was also born in Winnipeg, but spent several formative years in Africa while her father served in the Education Department for the Ethiopian Government. She became concerned about the poverty, disease and social problems of the Ethiopians. At the age of seven Cathie came to faith and made a decision to study nursing as a career. She later studied at the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing.

David and Cathie were married in 1968. Following three years of teaching and nursing in Manitoba, they moved to Vancouver where David completed theological studies at Regent College. They ministered at Trinity Baptist Church from 1971 - 1976, prior to their first appointment with CBM in October 1975.

The Phillips have two daughters, Elizabeth and Jennifer.