Philip Freeman Mathis

Philip Freeman Mathis went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Novemer 12th, 2009. Phil will be remembered by friends and family around the world who knew and loved him for over 49 years. Phil was born in Waco, Texas on August 10th, 1960 to Jim and Pat Mathis. He was the 2nd of four sons and attended Waco schools before graduating from Vanguard High School in 1978. He enjoyed a life filled with basketball, tennis, handball and golf and spent untold hours at the Lake Air Little League fields and Sul Ross Tennis Center. As a teenager he was active at First United Methodist Church and knew then that the Lord was calling him to a life of ministry. He attended Oral Roberts University where he studied the New Testament and worked as a youth director. His passion and conviction for God's Word grew as he read and studied throughout college and it led him to Fuller Theological Seminary in California, where he earned his Masters of Divinity. It was in California that he met the love of his life, Dana Cooper, and began his pastoral ministry. Phil and Dana were married in June of 1985 and moved to Dallas, Texas where they planted Grace Church, an Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Over the next 24 years Phil and Dana raised 4 children; Stephen (21), Joshua (19), Micah (17), and Karena (14). They spent a few years pastoring in Waco, Texas before returning to Colorado Springs where they have made their home for 12 years. Phil has labored in church ministry and in the business world for over 20 years. His love and passion for Jesus and the veracity of the Word of God has consumed his thoughts and overflowed in thousands of sermons, hundreds of newsletters, 2 books and conversations over Diet Cokes with friends, pastors, and family members. It is perhaps the driving passion of his life for mankind to know of the free gift of grace that is offered according to the sovereign will of God. His first book, Salvation by the Book, spoke of God's loves for the elect and how He has chosen His church according to His pleasure and will. In God Governs Phil states that how God governs our lives is his greatest passion. As a student of the Word, and of great Christian classics, Phil became enamored with scripture's relationship between predestination and a will that is freed by Christ alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone. His life was committed to sharing this truth whenever and wherever he could. Phil's love for his family was only eclipsed by the love and sheer awe He had for our Holy God and Savior Jesus Christ. He is now joined with the host of heavenly angels and the Elders of the church who sing for all eternity; “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.� The Word says to be absent from the body is to be present with God. Minutes after Phil took his last breath he had a peaceful smile on his face, perhaps because he was now present with God and basking in the glorious glow of His throne. He is survived by his wife, Dana Mathis, his children; Stephen James, Joshua Robert, Micah Andrew, and Karena Rebekah. His parents, Jim and Pat Mathis; his brothers, Andy and Susan Mathis, John and Tina Mathis, and Jay and Lydia Mathis, and 12 nieces and nephews who loved him. There will be a memorial service on Monday, November 16th at 4:00 pm at Springs Community Church in Colorado Springs, CO. There will be a memorial service in Waco, Texas at a later date to be announced. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Good News Prison Ministry of Colorado Springs, Compassion International, The Bible League, or Vanguard Church of Colorado Springs.