I’m Phil Pike and I live in Greenville SC with the love of my life, Sandy, and our two beautiful children, Caroline and Nick, who are the delight of my heart. There’s also Rusty, our sweet golden retriever, and Max, otherwise known as Brutus Maximus… he’s part lab, part boxer, and part Tasmanian devil. I still can’t find the “off switch” on this dog.
I’ve entitled my blog The Journey because that’s what my life has been — an amazing journey spanning the globe many times over, walking with God along the way, at times running from Him, but all the while seeing His incredible faithfulness at every turn.
I was born on the mission field in Australia. My parents, Randy and Addien Pike, were pioneer missionaries to that once rough and rugged land before it became a major tourist attraction. It’s all very different now. When I was 8 years old our family boarded a ship and sailed for two weeks to South Africa where we continued to minister for many more years. The childhood memories I have of those experiences are so vivid — every kid should be so lucky!
But, by far, my favorite memories of growing up are the opportunities I had to see first-hand how Jesus Christ transforms broken and lost people into shining examples of His grace. I think of men like Bob Brodie, the local bar brawler; a towering brute of a man who showed up on our doorstep one day threatening to kill my dad. Bob was furious because my parents had recently led his wife to Christ. Not long after that, Bob had his own encounter with Jesus, and he was radically changed into a kind and tender man with a huge heart for others. He later became a pastor and faithfully served the Lord for decades afterwards. Those experiences, and hundreds like them, did something to me — they “branded” me for life — and continue to shape me to this day.
I’d like to say that my path has been a straight one, but it hasn’t. When I was a teenager, I ran from a call of God on my life, much like Jonah, but instead of ending up inside a fish, I ended up finding success in the business world and being absolutely miserable with it all. After running a software company for many years, God began to show up in some very unexpected places along my journey — a children’s hospital during a client site visit… a bathroom in the middle of Oklahoma (that’s a story for another day)… a speaking engagement at a conference in Massachusetts… on an airplane traveling to a business meeting — God started intersecting my path and literally shaking me to the core. There were times when I had to walk out of meetings or excuse myself from dinners because I could hardly hold back the flood of tears after hearing God whisper, “Phil, you’re not doing what I’ve asked you to do.” Those were powerful, earth-shaking moments that began to alter the course of my life. Even when God whispers, He thunders!
So… fast-forward several years from those events, and here we are in Greenville being used by God to help start a new church. I am truly humbled and thrilled to serve alongside the other leaders of LifePoint Church, and to help serve the families who call LifePoint home. What a journey this has been! (I’ll try to fill in some of the details in future posts to share the story with you. I’ve already written a little about this here.) LifePoint is the most amazing church I’ve ever seen. God has used this church to bring hope and healing to so many people who had given up on God, the church, and even life. Now they are finding a renewed purpose for their lives in God’s big story of grace, just like I did. That’s pretty great! I’m glad I get to be a part of this!
* * *
Ok, this is a little awkward, but a lot of you keep wanting to know more about some of the oddities of what makes me who I am… what makes me tick… what ticks me off… some things you may not know about me. So for those with curious minds, here you go. (For the rest of you, leave now before it’s too late!)
STUFF I LIKE
- Seeing lives transformed by the power, grace and love of Jesus Christ. It just doesn’t get much better than that!
- My wife. She’s crazy about me for reasons I have yet to figure out.
- My kids. They are the most interesting people I’ve ever known.
- Worshiping with my LifePoint family.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Krispy Kreme chocolate-covered, cream-filled donuts. Seriously. That’s what heaven will be like.
- Formula 1 and Indy Car racing.
- English Premier League soccer. How can you not love Manchester United?
- 7th chords. They make me happy. I can’t even explain it.
- Macs, iPhones, and all things non-Windows. (Sorry to all my PC friends, but I’ve finally seen the light and I’ll never go back!)
- The Andy Griffith Show… before it went to color.
- The smell of rain.
- Home. (Dorothy was right.)
STUFF I DON’T LIKE
- Boiled okra. (Some things were never meant to be eaten.)
- Fried liver. (Same reason.)
- Doing yard work. (It’s part of the curse for Adam’s sin. Look it up.)
- Being stuck in crowded airports… or crowded elevators.
- Repetitive sounds.
- Snakes. (‘Nuff said!)
- Seeing Christians fight each other over stupid things.
- Actually, seeing Christians fight each other over anything!
- Watching golf on TV. (It’s like watching someone do your taxes.)
- Did I mention yard work?
ODD STUFF
- In high school I dropped out of a public speaking class vowing to “never do that again as long as I live!” Now I’m the teaching pastor at LifePoint Church. I didn’t see that one coming.
- The day after I went skydiving, a guy jumped out of the same airplane and his parachute didn’t open. It was all over the news. Call me crazy, but I never went back.
- When I was 12 years old I entered a 5K cross country race just to impress a girl. I had absolutely no training whatsoever and I collapsed at the finish line. She wasn’t impressed. (That’s when I first began to realize that boys are idiots.)
- My dad and I narrowly escaped being attacked by a lion in Africa. They don’t like to be teased. Apparently they don’t share the same sense of humor as monkeys. Who knew? (My dad still turns a little pale and laughs rather nervously whenever we talk about this!)
- I once jumped a dirt bike off a ramp and crashed so hard that it cracked my helmet. (I know, that explains a lot!) My brother laughed himself silly… there’s nothing like a close-knit family.
- I was interrogated by airport police in a foreign country for over two hours because they thought I was trying to smuggle something into the country. I highly recommend avoiding this experience!
- Ok, I know I’ll never live this down with my buddies, but here goes… I’m a huge fan of the Bee Gees. Yes, I know they sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks, but they are masters of the most amazing chord progressions I’ve ever heard. Ah, the 70′s!
- Whenever I browse a magazine, I always go from back to front. I have no idea why.
- I sometimes have trouble writing the number 3. (Any good therapists out there?)
Share this:
I’m pretty sure there’s a Krispy Kreme “hot now” doughnut conveyor belt running through heaven (it’s the inspiration behind the whole milk and honey passage, you know).
Dear man of God,
It was good to visit your blog.It is so amazing.
I am pastor from Tanzania- Africa.
Please come to Africa and preach the gospel.
Thank you.
Hi Phil,
My husband Mark and myself stayed in your parents house in Australia 23 + years ago and looked after it for a few years when they returned to Africa. We also brought home our baby daughter to their home. It was our first home as a married couple and as parents. We would love to catch up with them via email. Our daughter is about to turn 21. Could you please say hello and pass on our email address. Thanks, Joanne Venz
Phil, I had to let you know how much I have been challenged and encouraged by reading your words. I’ve been reading your blog and also listening to your teaching on-line. Both have been, and continue to be a great source of blessing to me. The series you just completed on ‘Beyond These Walls’ became an instant favorite. Whew, it rekindled a fire in me like nothing has in a long time. Don’t let up. By the way, I’m a Steelers fan too! I heard you mention that in one of your sermons.
Hi, Phil,
I used to teach with your wife, Sandy, at Buena Vista. I was Sharon Milstead and then became Sharon Hall. I just happened across your blog when looking for new churches in Greenville out of curiosity. We have a church home that we love, but I love your blog. Please hug Sandy for me.
Sharon
Phil,
Faith Journeys would be privileged if you chose to share your journey, any part of it at all, as part of Christian Research’s latest research project, Faith Journeys.
As I have just found your blog, I look forward to reading more of your reflections over the next weeks and months.
Every blessing
Rob
hi how are u doing? I like the stuff in here
Hi, Phil
Praise the Lord and recieve the precious greeting with warm kiss in the name of Jesus.
It is good to visit your blog. I fond of it very much. I am a pastor from Nepal. Please you may pray for me and Nepal. And that you may come over to Nepal and preach the dynamic word of God. Ok God may bless you richly forever and ever.
Your brother in Christ
Deepak Praja
Nepal
Dear sir,
I greet you in the Name of Jesus. I have a small church and I started it a few years ago. I’m looking for partnership from outside our country to partner with us and support us. Thank you and may God bless you.
pastor Anthony Munyao Hassan
Hi Phil,
I happened across your blog and was intrigued to say the least! I was mostly curious because we both share the same name. We have crossed paths in life without ever actually meeting. I am originally from Anderson SC. and I started out in Computers as well… then I was also called into ministry. I am glad to see God is using you in such a mighty way there in Greenville. I serve a church in Cincinnati Ohio as a worship leader. And I also like 7th chords.
I very much enjoyed reading your blog, please keep posting and know that people are touched by your hands.
Maybe we’ll actually meet someday.
God bless and take care,
Sincerely,
Phil Pike
I like to see you’re Christian but still have a sense of humor! Under “Stuff I don’t like,” I especially liked: “Doing yard work. (It’s part of the curse for Adam’s sin. Look it up.)”
hi phil
have been thinking of starting a blog. have many of the same feelings u had before u started yours, but can see God touching lives through your blog. keep writing. What would we do, be or become without His Spirit inspiring us to do more, be more…like Him. marriana
Hello Phil, how are u?
I am so happy I landed on this blog. I am inspired by your words. Thank you for sharing.
I am so happy I landed on this blog.
Hey, Phillip, I have thought about you from time to time (must be all those Pike Electric trucks on the road) but today decided to try to contact you. That Pike Consulting phone number you were so proud of now apparently belongs to someone else.
To catch up on me, Peggy passed a couple of years ago. Cancer finally got her. I have remarried to a lovely lady named Laura who is, wow, 17 years my junior. She brought a beautiful son into our marriage, a smart-as-a-whip 11-year old named Zack. Michael and Lindsey are doing great (you may still see Lindsey at http://www.lindseyflacy.com and Mike blogs and edits http://www.steves-digicams.com, among other sites). They both have significant others and Lindsey is engaged. Children and significant others will visit me soon. Though I am still an IT Director, I am playing in a rock and roll band again, http://www.fatcatdaddy.net. Not too bad for this 64-year-old beer-drinking bass player.
Well, I see you have followed in your father’s footsteps. I am proud for you. Listening to you and knowing your voice, I feel the honesty in your message and I know you must bring the same sense of humor to the pulpit you brought into the various contracts we worked together. I still tell the story of how you wrote code to make the error-prone fellow over at Mary Black raise his right hand and “repeat after me” before your program would accept the data entry. Funny stuff.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hello again and could not figure out any other way than responding to your blog. I apologize for the medium. I think we have headed in different directions somewhat, but I have missed talking with you. You are obviously doing well. I’m glad.
Your Old RPG Buddy,
Steve