Phil Taylor

James Phillip "Phil" Taylor, 64, of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away on June 23, 2024 after battling illness for several months, with his wife and children by his side. Phil was born on November 21, 1959 in Suffolk, Virginia to the late James Earl and Shirley Taylor.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Peggy Taylor; his children, Jackie (Josh) Lee, and Brad Taylor; grandchildren, Mackenzie Lee, Graham Lee, and Gideon Taylor; his brother, Keith (Allison) Taylor; and his sister, Susan Elliott; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Phil grew up in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a graduate of University of the Cumberlands, class of 1982, and received his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Theological Seminary in 1985. He married his wife Peggy on July 24, 1982. After serving as a pastor for 14 years in four Southern Baptist churches in Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia, Phil was called to serve as the Director of Missions for the Bradley Baptist Association in Cleveland, TN in 1999. He served faithfully in that role for the past 25 years, serving and equipping churches in their common goal to make disciples of all nations.

During Phil's leadership the Association embarked on perhaps the most fruitful season of ministry the Association has ever known. The Association's name was changed to CrossNet Baptist Network to accommodate the growing influence of the Association beyond just Bradley County. Churches from neighboring counties soon joined forces with CrossNet largely due to Phil's missional heartbeat for reaching people not only in Southeast Tennessee, but to the ends of the earth.

Phil led mission teams to destinations all over the world - Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa, India, and Romania to name only a few. Churches began to work cooperatively together in new ways under Phil's heart for the nations; the local ministry of Ocoee Outreach demonstrated a deep commitment on the part of the Association for local cooperative ministry efforts as well. Phil led the Association to partner with church planters in other states and in Washington D.C., and he worked hard to assist struggling churches in East Tennessee to embrace a plan for revitalization.

Phil's vision to equip churches for Kingdom advance not only served Bradley County and East Tennessee well, but his passionate leadership was also invaluable for developing partnership efforts and leading training workshops with the North American Mission Board and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He longed to see churches working together for deep engagement in a full Acts 1:8 strategy-making disciples together in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. God used him to this end not only with Baptists, but in various partnership efforts with evangelicals across the country.

Phil had a strong desire to help develop and grow missionally engaged churches through strong prayer-based, Spirit-led pastors and leaders. He was a tireless champion for revival, renewal, and revitalization. He served the Lord well in all these efforts and his absence in our community will be a staggering loss.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Westwood Baptist Church at 5:00 pm with Pastor Jamie Work officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm prior to the service. A graveside service is to follow at Candies Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Phil Taylor Missions Scholarship Fund at the CrossNet Baptist Network, 2707 N Ocoee St, Cleveland TN 37312.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Phil or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.