First Presbyterian Church

In December 2005 FPC called The Rev. Phillip Palmertree as its 13th pastor. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Phillip had previously served for seven years as pastor of the Macon Presbyterian Church of Macon, Mississippi, and four years as assistant pastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Auburn, Alabama. He holds a degree in English from Mississippi State University and an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary.

Phillip aspires to see three types of work converge in his ministry: theologian (reckoning with God at every moment and knowing him as revealed in Scripture), poet (speaking about Christ skillfully and accurately so that people embrace him), and pastor (bringing the gospel of Christ to the mess and ugliness of the life in a fallen world).

Phillip and his wife Judy are blessed with four children–Nelson, Ruth Anne, Campbell and Rachel. He enjoys playing basketball, tending his vegetable garden and savoring music.