Two long-time ministers to end service with Texas Baptists

Dowell Loftis, director for the Center for Ministerial Health, and Phil Miller, director for the Center for Church Health, are concluding their time of service with Texas Baptists this summer. 

Miller has served for almost 30 years with Texas Baptists, providing leadership in evangelism and discipleship strategies, most recently as the director for the Center for Church Health. He has led the center since its inception in 2021, equipping countless church leaders with tools to share the gospel and help others grow in their faith. His team coordinated large-scale events including Conclave, Congreso, Super Summer, PAVE and the Discipleship Collective, in addition to many other events and training in the areas of children, youth and adult discipleship; evangelism; church health and revitalization; music and worship and architecture.

During his ministry at Texas Baptists, Miller was a consultant, team leader and director in the areas of Sunday school/discipleship and church health. Prior to his time at Texas Baptists, Miller served in ministry staff roles at Trinity Baptist Church in Corsicana, Second Baptist Church in Huntsville and First Baptist Church in Denison. 

Loftis began serving at Texas Baptists in 2016 as an area representative and then became the director of the Connections Team, which was later renamed the Center for Ministerial Health. He oversaw area representatives, Pastor Strong, counseling services, Millennial/Gen Z network, bivocational ministry, interim ministry for pastorless churches and the ministers’ financial health team. He holds more than four decades of ministry experience in pastoral and leadership roles. 

Previously, Loftis served as a chaplain for Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Bryan for eight years and Shearer Hills Baptist Church in San Antonio for 15 years. 

“Dowell and Phil are both faithful leaders who love the Lord and love Texas Baptists churches,” said Craig Christina, associate executive director. ”We are abundantly thankful for their years of leadership and service with Texas Baptists. Both men have led significant efforts impacting many churches and ministers across our state. Their work has a long-lasting Kingdom impact and we are deeply grateful for their ministry.”

Loftis’ and Miller’s last day will be June 1. Friends and church leaders will be invited to attend individual receptions honoring each leader in the next few weeks.