Phil A. Newton (D.Min. Fuller Theological Seminary; Ph.D. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of South Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Prior to planting South Woods in 1987, he pastored churches in Alabama and Mississippi. He has been mentoring pastors, missionaries, church planters, and congregational leaders since his early ministry.

Phil is the author of The Mentoring Church: How Pastors and Congregations Cultivate Leaders (Kregel, 2017) and the recently released 40 Questions About Pastoral Ministry (Kregel Academic, 2021).

In addition to his books, Phil contributes to The Gospel Coalition, 9Marks eJournal, and other publications.

He serves as an adjunct professor for the Southeastern Baptist Seminary Theological Seminary. He and his wife Karen have five children and six grandchildren.