Pst. Don Phillips

Pastor, Leader, mentor and visionary, Pastor Don Phillips wears many hats. Saved within the Assemblies of God movement over thirty (30) years ago, Pastor Don Phillips now stands as one of the key leaders within Christianity in South Africa today. He is the senior Pastor and visionary leader of RUCC Ministries, a multifaceted ministry organization with a clear mandate at this time to serve, penetrate and impact local communities, raising people to be spiritually sound, morally upright and socially relevant, thus bringing transformation and a sense of purpose to their lives using the word of God as the blueprint.

Born and raised in the former Transkei republic (now the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa), Pastor Don embraced his call into ministry at an early age and studied at Bible College in Klerksdorp. His keen leadership acumen and gifting was honed during his stints in the mining and insurance sectors before entering into full time ministry in 1988.

Pastor Don’s passion for evangelism which was ignited as a teenager has not waned and has resulted in the rapid expansion and explosion of the church arm of the ministry (RUCC Christian churches) being multiplied across the Eastern and Western Cape provinces with currently over twenty branches including city branches in Mthatha, East London, Port Elizabeth, Woodstock, Table view and Kayelitsha.

Initially established as just a local church, RUCC Ministries now spans several organizations with tentacles comprising local churches, missions and evangelism franchise, education, campus ministry, youth, construction, transport, conferencing, community development agency, radio broadcasting, media as well as an NGO focusing on HIV/AIDS, community agriculture and the underprivileged.

The ministry flagship is located in Mthatha where construction has commenced on the RUCC Village complex, the hallmark of which is a 9,000 seater church complex reputed to become the largest in the Eastern Cape when completed.

Pastor Don is a dynamic and energetic leader whose vision, passion, humility and penchant for discipline and excellence has shaped his life and ministry into the effective and admirable organization it is today whose impact is felt nationally and increasingly internationally.

From humble beginnings, God has raised him up to become one of the strongest moral and prophetic voices to the Nation today. He is known and distinguished by his humility, integrity, compassion and excellence, in all he is and in all he does.

He currently serves on several Boards including the International Federation of Christian Churches as well as Evangelism Explosion where he sits as National Vice President. Pastor Don is currently on the provincial executive of the newly formed National Religious Consultative forum recently constituted by State President Jacob Zuma.

Pastor Don enjoys the great outdoors and is a keen and accomplished hunter, fisherman, and gardener.
Happily married to his lovely wife and co – pastor Nomsa Phillips, they are blessed with a large family of three children (two boys and one girl) and many adopted sons and daughters.