Our Team

The Rev. Phil Estes, Sr. Pastor, is an ordained Deacon who enjoys collaborative ministry focused on growing community connections through service to people in need. He approaches worship as an inclusive gathering of all God’s people powered by God’s love, informed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ and celebrated through the creative wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Before beginning service at Fenton, he served Manchester United Methodist Church for 24 years as Executive Pastor of Operations and Generosity. He has a passion for social justice ministries and missions, both locally and internationally. Prior to serving in ministry, his career included corporate sales, communications, training and management, Missouri Community/Economic Development, and City Administration. Phil is an Alumnus of the University of Missouri – Columbia where he earned a Master of Science degree in Community Development, a Bachelor’s in Sociology, a minor in Spanish, as well as 28 hours of theological studies through Eden Seminary and the United Methodist School of Studies. Phil and his wife Lori are blessed with three children who live and work in the St. Louis area, a cat named Leia, and an Australian Shepard named Rosie. A life-long Missourian, Phil was born in Carthage, spending summers on his grandparent’s farm where he enjoyed work and outdoor recreation amid the beauty of the southwest Missouri prairie. Phil grew up in St. Louis county and Lori is from northwestern Illinois. She enjoys reading and volunteers for a local animal rescue organization, specializing in care for cats. Together, they enjoy art of every kind, music, theater, hiking, biking, motorcycle riding and general fitness.