Welcoming Pastor Phil Curtis as EFC’s Interim Pastor
We are delighted to announce that Pastor Phil Curtis has been voted in by our congregation as EFC’s Interim Pastor, effective Sunday, July 28, 2025, following the congregational meeting held on June 8th, 2025. Many in our church family will remember Pastor Phil fondly, as he previously served in this same role during Pastor Paul’s sabbatical in 2021. We are grateful to welcome him back during this time of transition.
About Pastor Phil
A native of Rhode Island, Pastor Phil currently lives in Exeter with his wife Karen, whom he’s been married to for 49 years. Together, they have three married children—including a son who is a pastor in East Greenwich, RI, and a daughter who is married to a bi-vocational pastor in Germany—as well as nine grandchildren who bring great joy to their lives.
A Life of Ministry
Pastor Phil has served in ministry for nearly 50 years, beginning at Quidnessett Baptist Church in North Kingstown, RI, where he held roles including:
Youth Minister (1974–1976)
Christian Education Consultant (1976–1979)
Assistant Pastor (1979–1982)
He went on to become the Founding Pastor of Exeter Chapel in Exeter, RI, where he served faithfully from 1982 to 2019, leading two major building programs and shepherding the church through decades of growth.
Since 2019, Pastor Phil has served as Executive Director of the Ministry Training Network of Southeastern New England, an 18-church cooperative effort focused on leadership development and biblical teaching throughout the region.
In recent years, he has also provided pulpit supply and interim pastoral ministry, including:
Evangelical Friends Church, Newport (Interim Pastor, May–June 2021)
Chepachet Union Church, Glocester, RI (Interim Pastor, Nov 2021–Apr 2022)
Perryville Bible Church, South Kingstown, RI (Extended Pulpit Supply, Jan–Mar 2020)
Woodlawn Baptist Church, Pawtucket, RI (Feb–Apr 2021)
Education and Publications
Pastor Phil holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Oberlin College in Ohio, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and a Master of Divinity from Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina.
He is also a published author, having written several resources for churches and small groups, including:
Faith and Life Studies through Ephesians (Leader’s Guide & Study Guide)
Preaching the Word: The Model of Peter’s Pentecost Sermon
One Flock, One Shepherd: One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
Looking Ahead
We are incredibly thankful for Pastor Phil’s willingness to step into this role and help lead our church through this next season. His deep theological roots, commitment to local ministry, and relational shepherding heart are a blessing to our EFC family.
Please join us in praying for Pastor Phil and Karen as they rejoin us at EFC starting July 28. May we welcome them with warmth, gratitude, and anticipation for all God has in store.
