Introducing Pastor Phil McCallum and Family

How do you get from Australia to Bothell? That's the route Phil McCallum travelled to become Evergreen's new Senior Pastor.

Born and raised in New York State, Phil married Leslie from South Dakota in 1982. A call to lead churches to reach secular people, took Phil and Leslie to Australia in 1986. Their children Laurel (age 22) and Levi (age 19) were both born in Brisbane where the family spent the next twenty years. During that time Jon and Nelson Plowman also became part of their home.

The McCallums were drawn back to the USA through church planting with New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu in 2001-2007 as well as executive pastor leadership at New Life Church in Colorado Springs in 2007-2010.

The signature themes of his ministry start with his passion for daily devotions. He keeps up a devotional blog of some of his entries. Combining a desire to develop the potential of each person, along with a heart to relate to unchurched people, Phil's desire is to develop teams that God can use to change lives.

Phil's hobby is his family. As empty nesters, he and Leslie have found their children becoming their friends.

Laurel is married to Kris Cordero and make their home in Colorado Springs. Kris experienced a neck injury in a wrestling match ten years ago that left him as a quadriplegic. But undaunted by the limitations, Kris continued on to complete high school and college. A team of volunteers from New Life Church helped to create their home. Levi, with passionate design skills, is part of the web development team at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu.

In Brisbane, Australia, Phil's foster son Jon and his wife Liz are expecting their first child in July. Nelson and his wife Amy are proud parents of Gabe and Malachai. Both attend Metro Church in Brisbane.

How will Phil and Leslie cope with Seattle's rain? When asked, Phil reflects on God's call. Two years ago, Phil first visited Seattle with his son Levi to attend a conference. Phil missed a turn and ended up accidentally in Bothell.

"I read the sign that read, 'Both-ell'" he reflects, "and I felt God say, 'Could you live here?' It was raining. The sky was grey. But I thought, 'Yes, I could.'"

During this summer, Phil felt God's direction to return to senior pastoral leadership. In October when he first explored options, Evergreen posted their pastor search on line. The description of the heart of the pastor suited to Evergreen was attractive to Phil. When he Googled the address he remembered "Both-ell".

Four months of dialog and relationship building confirmed God's call. As for the rain he and Leslie have decided to love it and the green that it brings.