Meet Pastor Troy Ware
Pastor Troy Ware serves as pastor of Philippian Chapel Pentecostal Church of God, although the story of how he became pastor is a little unusual.
About a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, he walked into Philippian Chapel simply intending to visit. During that service, the pastor announced that he was retiring effective immediately. When the church secretary asked who would preach and what the congregation was going to do, the retiring pastor pointed to Troy and announced that he was the new pastor. Troy quickly reminded them that becoming pastor required a church vote. With only two members officially on the church roll at the time, a vote was held—and his unexpected visit to Philippian Chapel became the beginning of his ministry there.
The congregation consisted of only three people at the time, all older adults. Within a few months, the former pastor passed away, and the church secretary eventually became homebound. Then COVID arrived. During much of that difficult season, Philippian Chapel consisted of Pastor Troy and one faithful member.
But the doors remained open, the Word continued to be preached, and the ministry continued.
Today, Philippian Chapel is a growing church family of adults, youth, and children. Pastor Troy considers it a privilege to have witnessed what God has done and continues to do in the life of the congregation.
A Pastor and a Teacher
Pastor Troy is an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Church of God and is also an educator. He holds an Associate of Applied Science in Interpreting, a Bachelor of Science in History, a Master of Arts in Teaching in Social Studies, and a Master of Education in Professional Studies. He also holds certifications in TEFL/TESOL and American Sign Language Communications, along with teaching certifications in several academic and technical areas.
That background as a teacher naturally carries into his ministry. Members of Philippian Chapel often describe his preaching and teaching as straightforward, understandable, and delivered with conviction. His desire is not simply to tell people what Scripture says, but to help them understand it, see things they may not have considered before, and discover how biblical truth applies to everyday life.
Thursday Bible Study especially reflects that approach. Along with studying God's Word together, questions are welcomed and discussion is encouraged. Sometimes those questions lead in unexpected directions. When Pastor Troy doesn't know an answer, he is perfectly willing to say so, research the subject, and come back with what he has learned.
He believes people should never be afraid to ask sincere questions as they seek to better understand God and His Word.
Ministry Beyond the Pulpit
For Pastor Troy, being a pastor involves much more than preaching on Sunday.
It means being there when someone needs prayer. It means visiting someone who is hurting, ministering to a family, answering a late-night call, helping with something around the church, or simply spending time with people. He believes pastoral ministry happens throughout the week and often in moments no one else ever sees.
It also means being part of the church family.
At Philippian Chapel, it isn't unusual to find the pastor sitting around a table during a fellowship dinner, spending time with the children and youth, joining in church activities—or occasionally being the adult responsible for starting the snowball fight.
Children are not expected to disappear into the background at Philippian Chapel. They are part of the church family. Over the years, that has sometimes meant preaching with a small child in his arms or attached to his leg, playing outside with the kids, or making sure a church meal includes something he knows one of them particularly enjoys.
Those moments may seem small, but they reflect something Pastor Troy believes deeply: people matter.
Whether someone is a child, teenager, young adult, parent, senior adult, longtime Christian, or someone who is still trying to figure out what they believe, there is a place for them at Philippian Chapel.
Pastor Troy does not claim to have every answer or to be a perfect pastor. His desire is much simpler—to faithfully preach God's Word, love and serve people, and follow wherever the Lord leads Philippian Chapel next.
