Rev. Anita Phillips: A Prophetic Voice Rooted in Love and Justice
Rev. Anita Lynn Phillips
Member of the Cherokee Nation
Formerly Executive Director of Native American Comprehensive Plan
The Rev. Anita Lynn Phillips devoted her life to the work of justice, healing, and hope—especially among Native and Indigenous communities in The United Methodist Church. Her legacy stands as a testament to what it means to live with deep integrity, faith, and a commitment to the margins.
Rev. Phillips was a member of the Cherokee Nation and a lifelong advocate for Native peoples both within and beyond the Church. A gifted social worker, counselor, pastor, and denominational leader, her work spanned tribal nations, local congregations, and global gatherings. She pastored churches within the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC), served as a District Superintendent, and became the Executive Director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan (NACP)—a role through which she nurtured and empowered generations of Indigenous leaders.
In a farewell letter upon her retirement in 2019, Rev. Phillips shared powerful reflections from her years of ministry:
“I have experienced great joy with our Native American churches and communities as we have worshiped together, sung tribal hymns together, shared in baptisms, and Holy Communion services across the U.S. I have experienced the radical hospitality of our Tribal Peoples who fall at the bottom of the economic ladder yet give in the most sacrificial of ways.”
Her words invite us to see Native communities not as underserved or forgotten, but as centers of wisdom, resilience, and sacred beauty. She challenged the church to do better—not with anger, but with clarity, truth, and love.
“We have amazing writers, musicians, preachers, teachers, professors, artists, adults, children, youth, elders, and on and on. I say to you, United Methodist Church, look long and hard at these faithful ones…realize what we have to offer and what you can learn from us…do not relegate us to invisibility or to the margins where we do not really exist until we serve a purpose in your worldview.”
Rev. Phillips embodied the kind of leadership that doesn’t seek the spotlight, but instead elevates community, restores dignity, and walks with people in their joys and in their struggles. Whether she was ministering to young adults, mentoring future clergy, or addressing systemic injustice, her work was grounded in deep spirituality and cultural pride.
Bishop David Wilson (Choctaw and Cherokee), currently Resident Bishop of the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church and who holds the distinction of being the first Native American elected to serve as a bishop in the history of The United Methodist Church, says:
“She was a great mentor and encourager for me, and I miss her so much. I am thankful to Creator God for placing persons like her in my life and in the lives of so many. One of the lasting contributions she made is the book "On This Spirit Walk," co-written with Dr. Henrietta Mann. It was produced for folks to use as a response to the acts of repentance; it is still widely used and a treasure for our denomination.”
Cynthia Kent, a board member of the General Commission on Religion and Race, comments that:
“She was a believer and proud of her Cherokee heritage. This combination enabled her to share the gospel from a perspective that Indigenous Peoples could understand and it helped non-natives understand that faith comes to people from many avenues.”
Rev. Anita Phillips passed away on December 9, 2024, at the age of 70. Her death is a profound loss to the Church and to all who were shaped by her witness. And yet, her life continues to inspire, reminding us what it means to be prophetic, pastoral, and present to our communities.
As we reflect on her leadership, Rev. Anita Phillips leaves us with an invitation: to listen deeply, to see fully, and to honor the presence of God in every culture, story, and voice.
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