New Journey Welcomes Pr. Phil Gustafson as Interim Pastor
We are very happy to welcome Pr. Phil Gustafson, who served as New Journey's Grand Canyon Synod transition coach through Fall and Winter 2025-26, and has recently served as one of our weekly supply pastors. He shares his story with us here:
Pastor Phil Gustafson believes that every transition is an invitation from God—not simply to change what we do, but to discover who we are becoming. Whether standing in the pulpit, sitting across from a coaching client, or walking beside a congregation in transition, his passion is helping people find a better way forward with faith, clarity, and hope.
Raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Phil earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Thiel College and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Ordained on June 9, 1979, he has spent more than 47 years serving congregations in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, Missouri, and Arizona in a variety of settings, including cooperative ministries, redevelopment, interim ministry, congregational merger, and supply preaching. Following retirement from full-time parish ministry, he continued serving congregations as an Interim Pastor and as Transition Coach for the Grand Canyon Synod, accompanying churches and leaders through seasons of discernment and renewal.
Alongside his pastoral ministry, Phil has developed a coaching practice grounded in curiosity, thoughtful challenge, and deep trust in the work of the Holy Spirit. He is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation, a certified WHY.os Coach, and a Master Practitioner and Coach in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Through FaithMindset Coaching, he partners with clergy, faith leaders, teams, and individuals to uncover new possibilities, navigate change, and live more intentionally from their God-given calling. Rather than offering quick answers, Phil enjoys asking meaningful questions that help people discover the wisdom and direction already taking shape within them.
A widower, Phil is grateful for the life he shared with his wife, Sandy, and for the love of their three married children & spouses, and eight wonderful grandchildren. He enjoys golf, fishing, chess, traveling, and conversations that leave people with fresh perspective and renewed hope. Wherever life or ministry leads, his desire is to help others discover a better way, embrace the challenge of growth, and move forward with confidence that God is already at work ahead of them.
