Rev. Andrew J. Phillips Sr.

Rev. Andrew J. Phillips Sr. went home to be with the Lord on Friday morning, October 21, 2011. Funeral services for Andrew will be on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Unity Bible Baptist Church, 2950 E. Empire Ave., Benton Harbor. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Please share memories and photos at www.florin.net. The family is being served by the Florin Funeral Service. Rev. Phillips was born on February 13, 1924 in Jasper County, Mississippi. He accepted the Lord at a very young age. He met and fell in love with Stella Mae Diggs, They were married on December 2, 1945, and celebrated 65 years of marriage together. IN 1973, Rev. Andrew J. Phillips Sr., was called from his position as Associate Minister of Bible Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan to start a work in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He and his wife stepped out by faith to start a work in Benton Harbor. The work began as a Bible Class. The Bible Class, which started on April 8, 1973, voted to become a fellowship on January 11, 1976. On December 29, 1977, the Fellowship voted to organize into a local Church. Over the past 30 years God has used Pastor Phillips to establish a solid Biblical foundation for Unity Bible Baptist members. Many Souls came to Christ and grew spiritually. God gave Pastor Phillips Spiritual vision and under his leadership the church purchased land (6.9acres) for a new church building, and began implementing a “four phase” expansion project—which is well on its way----that will be the home base for various ministries from now until the Lord returns. Rev. Phillips retired from the Pastorate in 2003. Rev. Kirby Phillips, Sr. succeeded his father in 2003. Rev. Phillips is survived by his wife; Stella, three sons, Andrew Phillips, Jr., Gentry (Roz) Phillips, Kirby (Carolyn) Phillips all of Benton Harbor; 3 daughters, Carolyn (Howard) Carpenter of Kalamazoo, Sheila (George) Whaling of St. Joseph, Deborah(Phil) Webb of Benton Harbor, Michigan; one brother, John Phillips Sr.; three nieces; 23 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Preceding him in death was his parents, Charlie & Susie Phillips; six sisters, Ruby Griggs, Hattie Ann Wilkerson, Julia Moorehead, Mattie, Carrie and Doris Phillips; one brother, Robert Phillips; one son, John Wesley Phillips; two daughters, Dianne Phillips and Cheryl Lynn Phillips; and one niece, Linda Jackson.

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Rev. Andrew J. Phillips Sr.

February 13, 1924 - October 21, 2011