“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).”

As revealed in Matthew 20:28, the Son of Man came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Bro. Phillip Horton was the personification of a true servant of Jesus. He passionately gave his life for the Gospel and for others.

In 1975, along with some of his family, Bro. Phillip traveled to Lewisville, Texas, and underwent the rigorous training required to launch an A.C.E. school. From the beginning, Bro. Phillip knew the journey was not going to be easy. He understood that the success of the school was going to require great sacrifice on his part. He knew the cost was going to be great – physically, financially, and mentally. Nevertheless, he knew in his heart that the reward was going to be far greater than all of those combined.

In 1977, when the doors of the Richlands Christian Academy (RCA) officially opened, Bro. Phillip stepped into a career that forever altered the course of his life. A career that did not hold great monetary value; yet, he accepted it. He began serving the students of RCA in the capacity of high school supervisor and continued in that role for the next thirty-six years. In the early 1980’s, God added to Bro. Phillp’s work, increased his burden, and called him to be principal.

From 1977 until the spring of 2014, Bro. Phillip worked day in and day out at the school. For years, he spent hours after school helping struggling students, grading tests, preparing lessons, and doing anything else that needed to be done. He was a firm, yet caring teacher. He taught, trained, and equipped students not only for the present world, but also for the world to come. Those under his watch were taught the great importance of memorization, goal-setting,

prioritization, and most importantly that “snow days are not holidays.” He is remembered for his creative and unforgettable VA history lessons and for just being an all-around wonderful teacher.

But above all else, the time he spent in prayer with his class each morning was the greatest lesson of all. Morning after morning the following words resounded through the hall of the school, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit withing me (Psalm 51:10). Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight…(Psalm 19:14).” Only time will tell how many lives were changed and how many souls were saved just because a teacher loved his students enough to bombard Heaven each morning for their souls.

In December of 2013, after the unexpected passing of his beloved pastor and brother, Bro. Phillip walked headlong into a new season – pastor of the Richlands Tabernacle. This transition came with much pain, pressure, heaviness, and change. To fulfill his pastoral obligations, Bro. Phillip stepped away from teaching inside the classroom; yet, he remained principal of the Richlands Christian Academy until his passing in October of 2023. Although his calling changed during the last ten years of his life, his service to others did not. Bro. Phillip always abounded in the work of the Lord no matter what season of life he was in, and his labor was not in vain. He fought a good fight, he finished his course, and he kept the faith, and now his legacy and the work of his hands still live on in the hearts and lives of all those who remain.