Phillip Gilbert was called as minister of First Christian Church Athens earlier this year. 

He and his wife, Ann Gilbert, have one daughter, Katelyn. He is originally from Hueytown and comes from a family of two brothers and two sisters, one of which is an identical twin.

Gilbert is employed at Redstone Arsenal in the AMRDEC Engineering Directorate as a strategic planner.

Gilbert, who likes to be called Brother Phillip or Phillip, has served in various ministries at First Christian Church prior to becoming minister.  After completion of a ministry mentoring program with the Disciples of Christ of the Alabama North West Florida Region, Gilbert was licensed as minister and commissioned for service at First Christian Athens.

Gilbert holds a master’s degree from Heritage Bible College and completed a three-year leadership program in Hartselle. He also graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in engineering.

Gilbert said while his education was highly important, his greatest experiences have been through the people he has met.

“People are fundamentally really good deep inside and have more in common than not,” he said. “We all share the same basic needs and desires as we walk through this life. The real objective in life is to encourage others to grow in faith and their God given abilities not to offer condemnation and judgment. It is far more about a relationship with Jesus Christ than religion.”

Gilbert also is a former Naval officer. He said those who have served our military are among the greatest Americans

“Our heroes are now aging and should never be forgotten for their military service,” he said. “They made freedom possible for what we have today. The men and women in uniform today are second to none and share the same tradition of hope and love for America.”

Gilbert enjoys playing the keyboard and the guitar and working with digital recording.

“It is the expression of emotion of life experiences,” he said. “Music is one of God’s greatest gifts to the world. It inspires and teaches people to understand others. One of his ministries in life is to encourage people to realize their talents and share those with people.”

Gilbert believes no ministry is any better than another. 

“Everyone was put on earth for a purpose,” he said. “The April storms that hit North Alabama and Athens renewed mankind’s faith in people. We have all observed people of all faith groups and walks of life reach out to help others. Ministries in Athens have all showed that caring and helping people is what life is all about. By ministries, not just in Church environments, but the many wonderful organizations and agencies right here in Athens that we all highly appreciate. Our hearts still go out to all of those affected by the storms.”

Gilbert said he has been asked many times what he loves about First Christian Church Athens. 

“We hold a simple view on Christianity — that is Jesus as Lord – and Him crucified yet now alive,” he said. “We worship through weekly communion, prayer and understanding people are different but all loved by their creator. ‘Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, nor can the human mind comprehend what God will do for those that love Him,’ says God. Most of all our people love people.”