What Ever Happened to Respect?: America's Loss of Respect for Pastors

Philip Ayers was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on March 2nd, 1948. He is the second born of a family of five. Very early in his life, his family moved to Salem, Virginia, where he resided until he joined the United States Marine Corps. Philip's childhood was characterized by an abusive environment. His father was an alcoholic. This would lead to his mother's death by suicide when he was fifteen. His childhood and adolescence years were monopolized by playing sports. He played football and baseball in the sandlot programs. He continued to play football and baseball while in high school and later played semi-professional football. He raced for ten years on the NASCAR circuit. He left his home and joined the United States Marine Corps when he was seventeen. While in the Corps, he served in the Viet Nam conflict. He was wounded three times, and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" for heroic service. He played quarterback for the Marine Corps' national football team, the Quantico Marines. He served four years, and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant. Philip was saved on March 30th, 1980. Jesus Christ called him to ministry in 1981. He graduated from Colonial Bible College and Trinity College of the Bible with a degree in Religious Education. He graduated from Trinity Theological Seminary in 1983, and from Liberty University with a Master Degree in Counseling in 1991. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005. He is serving in his twenty-first year as the Senior Pastor of Glade Creek Baptist Church. He is the founder of Arise Ministry. Philip is married to Lois Ayers. They have a blended family with six children and six beautiful grandchildren. They reside in Roanoke, Virginia.