"Therefore if any man be in Christ; he is a new creature, old things pass away, Behold all things have become new." II Corinthians 5:15

Pastor Daniel Tilman Phillips Jr. was born to Pastor Daniel Tilman Sr. and Doris Barnes Phillips on March 22, 1934, in Chicago, Ill. As a child prodigy Daniel was destined to follow in his father's footsteps as a man of God. His father was given a divine revelation that Daniel would preach the Gospel and compel men to be saved. Daniel however, had other ideas. But like Paul on his Damascus Road experience and the Prodigal son in his hog pen experience, Daniel found himself in a place where he could no longer run from the purpose God had for his life.

In 1987, Daniel accepted his calling into the ministry and began a life-defining legacy of service and devotion unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was ordained in 1991 by the late Pastor LJ Jordan Jr. at the Union Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo. He went on to serve as interim Pastor of Union following the home going of Pastor Jordan later that year. The year 1987 also was the year that he, on Valentine's Day, would marry "the love of his life;" his "earthly inspiration;" the "sugar in his coffee;" Sharrie Jordan. Together they would share an amazing love that would last more than 21 years.

In 1991 Daniel joined the staff of Allen Memorial Hospital where he served as Chaplain in Pastoral Care. He ministered at Allen for 17 years, consoling, comforting and caring for patients, staff members and their families. During this time he also completed certification in Clinical Pastoral Education and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Upper Iowa University.

Pastor Phillips loved people. He never hesitated to help those in need and would go out of his way to reach those who were lost. He had a passion for the people of God and he encouraged everyone to have a personal relationship with Him. Because of his own life experiences, Daniel believed that no matter who you were or how low you descended in life, you were never out of the reach of God's promises. And as his father had prophesied at his birth, Daniel Tillman Phillips became Pastor of the Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in November of 1994. Pastor Phillips loved Christian Fellowship. He proudly made mention of the church everywhere he went. He faithfully and tirelessly fulfilled his calling there until his health deteriorated. Among the many offices and affiliations Pastor Phillips held, he was most proud to be the Moderator of the Eastern District Association of the Iowa Missionary Educational Baptist Convention and the Vice President of the Eastside Ministerial Alliance.

Pastor Daniel T. Phillips departed this life "early Sunday Morning" September 28 at ManorCare Nursing Facility. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Sharrie; a stepson, Darrian Jordan, of Pekin, Ill.; two grandsons, Pastor Jonathan Tilman (Marshau) Phillips of Muskegon, Mich., and Dallas Jordan of Waterloo; two granddaughters, Maria Nance, of Jackson, Miss., and Jeanine Phillips, of Gary, Ind.; six great-granddaughters, Jordan and Madison Phillips, of Gary, Ind., Jazmyne and Jala Phillips of Muskegon, Miss., and Jasmine and Dominique Nance of Jackson, Miss.; two great-grandsons, Edward and James Nance of Jackson, Miss.; four nieces, Toni (Vinnie) Cassell and Diana Stanford of Cedar Rapids, Nedra Anderson of Chicago, Ill., and Jacy Phillips of Atlanta, Ga.; two nephews, Felton (Wanda) Phillips Jr. of Atlanta and Forris Phillips of San Antonio, Texas; three Goddaughters, Toyja Scott, Stephanie Sharrie and Stazsa Danielle Phillips, all of Waterloo, and a host of family, extended family and friends.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Russell and Jonathan Phillips Sr.; two brothers Benjamin and Felton Sr.; and two sisters, Delores Cortez and Henrietta Tolley.

A special Worship and Praise Service in celebration of Pastor Phillips' life will be held Friday at the Christian Fellowship Baptist Church at 801 Wellington St. at 5 p.m. with public visitation throughout the service. The Home Going celebration will be held Saturday, October 4, at 11:00 a.m. at Union Baptist Church at 130 Jackson St. with interment following at Garden of Memories. Public visitation will be an hour prior to the service. Memorials and condolences may be sent to 1705 Pinehurst Lane, where the family will receive friends.