
Phil Camden lives with his wife Lenore in Redhead Beach, Newcastle, Australia.
He is 56 years old and is renowned for ministering the Word of God in a way that is God-breathed and relevant.
He has dedicated much of his life, including 30+ years as a Church pastor, to establishing and strengthening the local Church so that it can become all that God intended.
As a boy
Phil grew up in Pennant Hills, Sydney. His was a dysfunctional household, and he was surrounded by alcoholism, gambling and domestic violence from a young age. At the age of eight, the family across the road invited him to Church. From then, his life was turned around for the better and he hasn’t looked back.
Falling in love
Phil met his wife Lenore at the age of 13. She was the Pastor’s daughter at the church he and his family attended. Phil & Lenore married in 1979 when Phil was just 19 years old. They remain each other’s best friend.
Family
There is nothing more important to Phil than his family. His grown daughters are both married and live near to him. His grandson Lucas was born to in November 2014 and has brought the entire family much joy.
Building the Church
Phil worked in Sydney as a Manager of Coles-Myer until 1984, when he attended full-time Bible College and moved to Melbourne to become a Youth Pastor.
In 1990, Phil and his young family pioneered Burwood Christian Life Centre, now Edge Melbourne. Phil and Lenore were Senior Pastors of Coastlife Christian Church on the Sunshine Coast (1995 – 2000), and Executive Pastors at Life church, New Zealand (2000 – 2007). Most recently, they pastored a thriving and fast-growing Church in Newcastle. Phil has also served the Australian Christian Churches (ACC) in New South Wales as an executive member and leading the Hunter and New England region of the ACC.
Phil has sown into leaders beyond Australian shores, and taken teams to the Congo to speak to Business leaders and University students at an annual Business Integrity and Governance summit in DR Congo.
MND does not have me
In 2013, Phil was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) a terminal illness with an average life expectancy of 27 months. He is well known for saying “I may have MND but MND does not have me.” Phil hopes to inspire others and encourage fellow-sufferers amidst his journey. To date, there are no treatments or known cure for MND.
February 14, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Hi Phil, I heard your interview on Rhema FM this morning and very much appreciated what you had to say. My family has been affected by familial MND (my mother, sister, brother and uncle have all died). I am a committed Christian. I tried to make contact with you last year by email to your church but did meet Mark Rooney from your church in Israel last October. I’m encouraged by your faith and your witness in the midst of your illness and pray that your faith in Jesus will open many more doorways to others to receive faith and eternal healing.
March 16, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Hi Phil you were at our church today in Wagga. Thank you.
March 17, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Pleasure I had a wonderful time.
April 15, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Hi Phil
I still enjoy your teaching keep it up as long as you can thanks
Ken P
April 17, 2014 at 8:58 am
Thanks Ken, have a great Easter.
June 29, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Hey Phil. Great to catch up with you and Lenore last Wednesday at the family MND Forum. Sorry I had to leave before we had a good chance to talk. Emily our daughter is in yr 11 at Medowie Christian school and would really love for you to come to the school and spread the awareness of MND during chapel. She has asked her teachers and they would be pleased for you to come along. If you can find the time in your very busy schedule. Peter Feder Emily’s maths teacher has been a great support for Emily always looking out for her and asking how her dad Graeme is going. God. Bless. Jane
July 6, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Hi Jane. Was great to see you as well. Yes it was hard to get around to everyone but an informative day. Im happy to come along to the school just tell them to connect with me via Peter Feder and give me a few dates that i can choose from.
April 28, 2015 at 7:06 pm
HI Phil
I love to see your blog it reminds me of a man I looked after for 3years with MND
he was 52yrs old when he passed away what a beautiful spirit he had He was my fav client we spent alot of time together because I was his nurse 6 days aweek we talked about MND and he told me stories about what his mates did for him like a boat ride and they threatened to through him overboard he had a great day out . so I really admire your courage and determination phil keep up the good work God needs you here
April 30, 2015 at 9:51 am
Thanks Allison. Not planning on going anywhere soon. You would have been a tremendous blessing to your friend, thank you.
June 8, 2015 at 10:03 am
So blessed by your story just now on UCB RADIO BRISBANE. We lost a loved one 6mos ago from MND. U encouraged me in reaching out to his wife.
May God use u mightily.
Blessings.
July 4, 2017 at 1:04 am
Phil, are you still there? This is Kerry who surrendered to the Lord in a funeral parlor in Burwood after hearing God call to her through your voice.
There are so many words I could write to you and Lenore, but I wanted to say how sad I am to learn that you have MND. I am sad, but I am blessed to have known you. You accepted me, as Jesus does, at a dark time of my life when I had nowhere else to go but to Him. You taught me so much and gave me a solid foundation through God’s spoken word that changed my life.
I now worship our Lord at a church in Phillip Island and in the office is a picture of a friend being baptised on a beach nearby. Every time I look at it I am reminded of a time at Box Hill swimming pool when you and John baptised me. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have shared that blessed moment with you. I treasure it.
How can I thank you for all you gave me. I give thanks to God for knowing you and being able to call you a friend so many years ago. You spoke words of wisdom and encouragement into my heart which, in God’s perfect time, have brought blessings in abundance to Rod and me and led me on an amazing journey. One was a mission trip, through World Share,to Heal Africa in Goma, DR Congo in 2007, so I feel we are kindred spirits where Africa is concerned!
Oh, how I wish I could give you and Lenore a hug, but we are so far away.
Your courage and faith and trust in God has brought hope to many and I am blessed to be one of them.
Oh Phil and Lenore, I have just discovered the journey you are on and I hope I’m not too late and that you receive this message because I wanted to thank you for being a wonderful teacher at the beginning of my journey with our Lord. You are so much in my thoughts.
Blessings and love
Kerry
November 14, 2018 at 10:02 pm
I listened to your testimony which I think was amazing and really blessed me I too have a terminal illness but I have developed a peace and am resting in God. I know you will conquer your disease bless you