Raised in Albia, IA, Rev. Philip Dicks received his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary with post-graduate work at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Illif School of Theology and St. Paul School of Theology. Rev. Phil has served as a pastor for 6 churches in Iowa: Sioux City Trimble UMC; Davenport Grace UMC; First UMC in downtown Des Moines; Jordan Creek UMC in West Des Moines; Minburn UMC; and lastly Grundy Center UMC. In 1990, he became Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp Director, and in 1997, the Chaplain of the YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado for 9 years.
In 2015, Phil was the clergy person selected to receive the Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Evangelism for the Iowa Conference for a ministry exemplifying the Great Commission in his ministry. Pastor Phil’s passion is people. He grew up in his parents’ hardware store in Albia, Iowa, and there developed his genuine love for people and the stories of their lives. He was raised in the Evangelical United Brethren Church before it joined with the Methodist Church. Rev. Dicks brings to us his calling to discipleship ministries, preaching, church leadership development and visioning for growth. Pastor Phil has led the Iowa Conference of the UMC in Discipleship and Spiritual Formation ministries. After attending Drake University, he married high school classmate Connie Derby in 1974. Connie serves as the
Administrative Coordinator for Ministries on the Regional Staff of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Midwest, Newton. Phil and Connie have 3 adult children and 8 grandchildren who delight them with constant wonder. Phil enjoys music, fishing, sailing, hunting, training his bird dog, “Jack,” cooking, gardening, biking, and all things pertaining to Bar-B-Que. He won 1st place in the World’s Best Steak and also the Hog and Corn Heaven BBQ competition at the 2016 Iowa State Fair.
In 2018, his entries will be featured in the new Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Pastor Phil also enjoys traveling, mission trips to Haiti, and hundreds of other things! He loves being a pastor, preacher, teacher, and becoming a new part of the communities of Mingo and Farrar. He is hard working, cheerful and a storyteller.
