Tom Phillips was born in a Pastor's home in Bristol, Tennessee.  At age 12 he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior through a Word of Life Bible Club at the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Tom developed an interest in music, youth ministry and the Word of God while still in high school and entered Tennessee Temple University upon high school graduation to major in Music Education.  In 1974, Tom graduated from Tennessee Temple with a BS degree and married his college sweetheart, Fay Morrison.  Tom and Fay began their full time ministry with Word of Life that summer.  Tom and Fay have three sons who are married.  All three sons are in full time ministry.

Tom and Fay have spent  37 years in the Word of Life Ministry with assignments in Tennessee, California, and Florida.  Tom is presently the Sr. Vice President of Florida Ministries in Hudson, Florida.  The Word of Life Ministry on the 500 acre campus there includes a Bible Institute, a Youth Camp, an RV Park and Gospel Productions.  In his 35 years of working with young people through the Word of Life Ministry Tom has spoken to thousands of youth through Youth Camps, Youth Rallies, School Meetings, church meetings, and Word of Life events. 

Tom’s life verse is Colossians 2:6,7, "As you have therefore received Jesus Christ so walk in Him, rooted and built up in the faith as ye have been taught, abounding in it, with thanksgiving."  Tom believes in a passionate, dynamic life style.  This life verse reminds him that the same joy and enthusiasm he had the first day he met Jesus should characterize his life each day.