Phil, Tori and Janet West

Editor’s Note: As the terms of deacons Don Beck and Michael Bowers expire, candidates Allen Angell and Phil West have been nominated to replace them. This Connections Q&A with West is part of a new backgrounder series on deacon candidates before member voting. If elected, both would serve three-year terms.

Connections: How did you become a Christian?

West: While attending Christian school at Gospel Light, we had a chapel service after a school revival and the speaker gave an invitation. Knowing that I was a sinner with no way of earning heaven, I accepted Jesus’s death on the cross as the way for salvation. That was in third grade, and several years later I switched churches. Having grown up in a home where my parents never attended church, I quickly learned that a church family could be just as real as any relatives. A church family offered me support as I grew, and stumbled, in my faith. I often think back to a pair of teachers who took time to pick me up and drive me to church. I remember going on visitation with the man, and we stopped at the old McDonalds on Silas Creek Parkway. That cheeseburger meant much more than just a quick meal. It represented an investment in me of time and attention. That was such a real picture of Christ, displayed in a human that I could see.

Connections: Why is your faith important to you?

West: I view my faith as a building foundation. It provides essential support where I can build my life and nurture my family. I have not always displayed the best Christian behavior. I probably never will. But I hope to have the same kind of influence on a young Christian like I was shown by those teachers.

Connections: Have you ever been a deacon before and, if so, where?

West: No. I am honored and surprised at being asked to serve.

Connections: What role do you believe deacons should play in a church’s ministry?

West: I believe deacons are commissioned to handle the church business functions and administration of the various ministries — to offload that responsibility and free up the pastors to devote their time to prayer and study.

Connections: How long have you been a member of Triad?

West: My family began attending in June 2012, and we joined in October of 2012 after attending the First Step class.

Connections: Introduce us to the West household.

West: I am married to the best person that I have ever met. My wife, Janet, has stuck by me through some trying times. Having to travel for work often left her home alone, eventually with a new baby. She missed me, but never complained. I owe her a great debt. We were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Tori. No parent could have custom-ordered a better child. We are so proud of her as she works through her second year of college. She has become a young woman full of conviction, intelligence and just a bit of stubbornness (inherited from me). I am also blessed to say that both my wife and daughter are saved and active in the church. We also have a dog who does not attend and bites. Please pray for him!

Connections: What are some of the ministries the Wests already are involved in at Triad?

West: In 2013, I began leading the Food & Fellowship Team. This is a great service ministry, where I’m blessed to serve alongside so many dedicated workers. Since 2012, I also have been a member of the Media Team, running the computer during some of the Sunday and Wednesday services. I currently operate the computers during half of the contemporary worship service and half of the Wednesday services.

Another ministry is Vacation Bible School, where I’ve served in 2013 and 2014. Recently, I’ve also begun serving as a stand-in substitute Sunday School teacher.

Janet serves with me on Food & Fellowship. She’s also working on the Ladies Fellowship and the Decorating Teams, as well as helping with the Mom Connection. She also serves in VBS and at the Kids Street children’s ministry check-in desk, and helps plan and run the Fall Fest activity.

Tori is an ensemble member in the contemporary worship service. She also serves in a kids’ Sunday School class, and, along with her mom, in the nursery. (She also gets drafted for various Food & Fellowship events.)

Connections: What do you do in your career?

West: I work for Microsoft where I create innovative solutions for public sector customers (government, military, education and health/life sciences) across the U.S. I work to find common problems or challenges across that broad customer segment, and then drive the strategy to develop and deliver solutions — like the media wall in Liberty University’s new library. I use tablets, phones, wearable technology, large touchscreens, flexible displays, XBOX, and Kinect plus the software to meet customer needs.