The son of Filipino immigrants, Phillip Santillan was born in Hagerstown, MD, and grew up in Newport News, VA, where he encountered the truth of who Christ is, in a way that found him deciding to make Christ the Lord and Savior of his life at the age of 15. From that moment, he has always been deeply involved in being part of seeing other people’s lives changed by the good news of Jesus Christ. After graduating from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN, Phillip spent the next 14 years serving in associate pastor roles in Otsego, MN, Orlando, FL, and Maple Grove, MN. In 2013, Phillip was called by Northridge Fellowship and Grace Fellowship to be the Lead Pastor of a new church in the west twin cities area. Since then he has served as Clarity Church’s lead pastor.
Phillip and Leona have been married since 2004, and they share life in Brooklyn Park with their three kids – Brennan, Emily, and Mia – and a dog named Bella.