PASTOR PHIL NELSON

Pastor Phil has been preaching at Lakeland since April 2004. He brings a passionate commitment to the truth of God’s Word. He is gifted in making the Bible come alive through his very unique communication style. He is a facilitator with the international “Walk Thru The Bible Ministries.” He regularly leads live events to help believers grow in their understanding of God’s Word.

Pastor Phil is responsible for providing engaging, life transforming biblical teaching at our weekly worship gathering on Sundays and Wednesdays. You will often find him on a college campus engaging students and faculty in the claims of Christ.

He holds frequent question and answer sessions for anyone who wants to know how to answer questions that are asked about the Christian faith.

Pastor Phil and his wife Melanie have been married since December 23, 1979. They are the parents of seven children (Six daughters and One Son). Life at the Nelson home is always exciting; just ask their two dogs, one cat, and a Bearded Dragon named Zuko.

When asked about his favorite verse, his response is, “The Bible is like Lay’s potato chips; how can you have just one?”

Dream vacation: A secluded cabin on a small, out-of-the-way Caribbean Island without cell phone access or computers. The people invited are my wife, Melanie, and some good books.

Favorite Hobbies: Landscaping, woodworking, telling Dad jokes.

Contact information: pastorphil@lakelandcarbondale.com

618-201-9204

WORSHIP & TECH PASTOR

Jake McPheron began serving as our Worship & Tech Pastor in January 2022. He and his wife Emmalee met at University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky and have been married eight years. Together they have three children; Jasey, Micaiah, and Ellieana. Their journey in serving God has ranged from full-time worship and youth ministry, to evangelism, and starting a faith-based coffee company, Walk the Globe Coffee. Jake and Emmalee believe that authentic community and serving others are the greatest ways they can share God’s love and grace. God has placed a call in their hearts to serve the community of Carbondale and share the Gospel with everyone they can. They are excited to be a part of the family at Lakeland.

Favorite Food:

Pizza

Favorite passage of Scripture:

Psalm 46

Hobbies:

Fishing, gaming, watching Lord of the Rings

My favorite thing about being a Christian: Getting the opportunity to share Jesus with total strangers, gathering weekly in corporate worship, and experiencing the daily grace of God.

What you do at Lakeland:

Serve as Worship & Tech Pastor

Your dream vacation:

Visiting Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand 

Contact information: 

worship@lakelandcarbondale.com

618-203-2423

MINISTER OF MISCELLANEOUS

Does he really exist?  Or is he a figment of your imagination?  There appears to be evidence of his existence, but yet no one seems to have actually seen him.  Much like Sasquatch…but shorter. 

Ordained in 2014, Scott is the Bi-vocational Pastor at DeSoto First Baptist Church. Youth Minister at both DeSoto and Elkville Baptist Church (for 20+ years at Elkville and still going).  He is also Technology Coordinator with the Ninemile Baptist Association, where he designed and maintains the website. Oh, and he also does office stuff and website / bulletin / promotional pieces for Lakeland.

If that wasn’t enough, having worked as a motion graphic designer at a local tv station for more than 28 years, he also does freelance video editing / animation / logo / print / web design on the side.

Contact information: 

staff@lakelandcarbondale.com

618-568-1523

MAINTENANCE MINISTER

Vicki Willis-

My Favorite Food: Not pizza. She has worked at Pagliai’s Pizza for the past forty-plus years. This might be the reason.

Favorite Passage of Scripture: Psalms 23

Hobbies: Watching grand babies and reading books if she finds the time.

My favorite thing about Being a Christian: Having my Savior's presence with me every day through every circumstance.

What I do at Lakeland: Teach children about Jesus on Sunday Morning, and keep Scott, Jacob, and Pastor Phil in line at the office (good luck with that).

Dream Vacation: Remote Island where no one can bother me.