Phillip Magness

Serving the Lord in West and Central Africa

Bio

Phillip Magness serves the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in French-speaking countries in West and Central Africa (Togo, Guinea, Congo—Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo—Kinshasa and Burundi). As a sacred music educator, Phillip teaches hymns, psalms and spiritual songs — and develops the musicianship of song leaders so that they are better able to teach, share and nurture music for worship. In collaboration with mission partners in Lutheran Church—Canada, he recently completed an African edition of Liturgies et Cantiques Luthériens — the French equivalent of Lutheran Service Book (LSB) — called Édition Africaine. He is also assisting the Lutheran church in Ghana with their introduction of the LSB.

Phillip received a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, Denton. He then received his Director of Parish Music colloquy from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill. He serves a dual call as a missionary and as cantor at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, Mo. He also currently serves as interim music associate at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Before serving in these roles, he was cantor (director of parish music) at LCMS congregations in Oklahoma, Illinois and Texas. In addition, he chaired the LSB Introduction Committee, taught workshops on the French edition of LSB, served on the LCMS Board for International Mission, and has been a guest lecturer at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane, South Africa. His book on music ministry, Church Music: For the Care of Souls, was published by Lexham Press in 2023.

Phillip’s wife, Cheryl, is the managing editor of the Synod’s official newspaper, Reporter, and is also a freelance writer and musician. They have three adult children: Trevor, Caitlin and Evan. Trevor is happily married to Amalia, and they have one son, Edgar.

Prayers

Pray for Phillip as he serves in Africa, and ask God to keep him safe in his travels. Pray that many will put their trust in the Lord as Phillip teaches them to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Pray for the students who come to learn these songs and how to teach them. Ask God to give them wisdom, patience and creativity as they adapt what they learn to their cultural context. Pray that the relationships between Phillip and local pastors and musicians may continue to grow, and that their projects would achieve the Lord’s purposes. Let us give thanks to God that Phillip is serving His people in West and Central Africa.

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Additional Information

• Birthdays:
  • Phillip - May 31
  • Cheryl - July 23
  • Trevor - Oct. 3
  • Caitlin - Oct. 12
  • Evan - Oct. 29
• Wedding Anniversary: March 15
• Home District: Missouri

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