'rece    Rev. Michael Phillips has been serving as a pastor of Immanuel, Lima, OH since 1995.  A lifelong Lutheran, he was born in Milwaukee, WI and raised in Dubuque, IA.  Upon being graduated from high school, he studied at Concordia University, Nebraska (1979-82) and completed his studies at the University of Dubuque (1982-85), earning a BA in English Literature and a BS in Computer Science.  
     Upon completion of university studies, he served as an Assistant to the Director at Camp Lone Star of the Texas District LCMS - Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas (LOMT) from 1985-87.  He had also served as a summer camp counselor and program director (1982-84) prior to beginning full time work for LOMT.   He completed his seminary studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1992, M.Div.), during which time he also served as youth director at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, St. Louis, MO.
     His first Call into the pastoral ministry was to St. John/Good Shepherd, Laona/Crandon, WI, where he was ordained and served from 1992-95. He was then Called by Immanuel, Lima, OH to serve as Associate Pastor (1995-2001), and then as Sole Pastor (2001-present). 
     During his time in the OH District, he has served in the following capacities: Circuit Counselor (2003-09); pastoral delegate to the LCMS Convention (2010); OH District Board of Directors (2012-15); OH District New Ministry Task Force (2014-16); Learning Community (2011-16); OH District Convention – Elections Committee Chairman (2009, 2012, 2015, 2018);  OH District First Vice President (2018-21); OH District Reconciler (2024 - current).
     He and his wife, Amy (nee Arneson), were married at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ in 2000.  They are the proud parents of Noah (2025 graduate of Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA), who is pursuing a music career based out of Orange, NJ and Josiah (11th grade).  Amy is the Director of Choral Music at Lima Senior High School.

Updated: December 18, 2025