Rev. Philip Gai

Interim Lead Pastor

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Philip Gai came to Canada as a refugee from South Sudan in 2000. Philip was the Director of Ministry to Africans in Canada at African Inland Mission. He went on to complete four years of seminary education through Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis Missouri, and was ordained as Associate – Sudanese Pastor on August 20, 2017, to the delight of everyone at St. Mark’s and many Sudanese people across southern Ontario!

Starting in July 2024, Philip has accepted a call to serve as our Interim Lead Pastor while Pastor Jeff takes a 1-year assignment that will severely restrict the time he is able to devote to ministry at St. Mark’s.

As a Lutheran, he has over 10 years of church ministry experience at St. Mark’s, serving both our original and our Sudanese congregation, and he also served at World Vision Canada as Ontario Church Advisor for nine years. He can speak the following languages: English, Nuer, Dinka, Arabic, (Juba Arabic) and Shilluk.

Philip and his wife Rachel have five children: Andrew, Nyalieb, David, Jacob and Nyamal. His interests include preaching, singing, helping newcomers resettle well in Canada, counseling parents and youth, and playing basketball with his kids.

Philip’s life verse is Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”