Although he and his family now reside in South Dakota, Philip Thompson’s heritage is in the Tar Heel state of North Carolina. Growing up a preacher’s son in Newton, North Carolina, Philip knew from a very young age that he wanted to teach. However, where and what he would teach proved to be areas of discernment for him.

Then, while majoring in music at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina, Philip received the call to serve the church. From there, he went on to receive his Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. After receiving his Doctor of Philosophy from Emory University, Philip moved his family to Pendleton, North Carolina, to serve at Roberts Chapel Baptist Church. While pastoring there, he also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Chowan College in Murfreesboro. In August of 2001, Philip transitioned into the classroom on a full-time basis. He joined Sioux Falls Seminary faculty as an Assistant Professor and began teaching at the Professor level in 2008.