Meet Phil
Church & Community Partnerships Lead
Meet Phil, our new Church and Community Partnerships Lead
Welcome Phil Kelly, you’ve been with the team since June and it’s a pleasure to work with you. Tell us a bit about yourself?My name is Phil, I am married to Ruth and we’re celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this year! We have two daughters, Jasmine and Erin and we go to Emmanuel Baptist Church here in Lisburn.
You’ve been doing wonderful work since you joined us and have wasted no time in getting out and about. What has inspired you since joining the team?Well one thing that’s inspired me is the team itself. I have been inspired by their passion for those affected by leprosy and it’s actually sparked a fire within me. I suppose, like many people, before I started the job I was thinking; ‘Is leprosy still a thing?’ And then you start to investigate and realise, yes, it really is. The more I hear my colleagues talking about it, and as we pray together, I realise I’m drawing from their passion a little as well.So yeah, it’s been really encouraging to come here and work with a passionate group of people and hopefully make a difference. I love that we are all like-minded. Coming from different denominations but being united in Christ. That inspires me as well, that we are brothers and sisters, serving one another and those affected by leprosy, because of our shared love for Christ.
And you’ve done quite a bit of speaking already and have a really busy autumn ahead speaking at different churches and groups.Yes, Autumn is busy. The diary has been filling up but I’m always looking for more engagements especially in the new year so if anybody would like an updateabout the work, please get in touch.
Are there any supporters you have met that have encouraged you?Yes, I’ve loved getting on the phone and speaking to Church Reps. There’s one lady I spoke to who has been a champion for those affected by leprosy since 1977, which is just incredible. That quiet, dedicated service, that often goes unseen by many, is so inspiring. So, I want to thank these people.
Are there any exciting opportunities coming up inNovember to meet you for a cuppa?
Oh yes, we’re going to have a coffee morning here in the office on Saturday 7th November. I’d love to see you for a cup of tea (coffee for me). Joy and Ben will be sharing about their recent trip to Mozambique and we’ll be around to meet and pray with supporters.Hopefully see some of you then!
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”
If you would like to come to the Coffee Morning on Saturday 7th November there's more information on our website here.
