He [the Lord] tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isa 40:11 NIV)

Phil has served at Evangelical Seminary since the summer of 2013. Phil grew up on a dairy farm in Ephrata, Pennsylvania and first learned about Evangelical Seminary through his pastors at Middle Creek Church of the Brethren. Prior to returning to Pennsylvania, Phil lived in Cincinnati, Ohio where he completed the course work and exams for his doctoral program focused in Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern studies. His current dissertation research is focused on the personifications of the earth in the Old Testament. Phil has also studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel (where he met Sarah) and participated in an archaeological excavation at Tel Dan in northern Israel.

Phil and Sarah are the parents of David Alden, who was born on November 12, 2014. Phil in his free time now enjoys playing with David, reading, taking walks with Sarah, baking bread, and working outdoors.