Phillips, Craig & Dean

biography

Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig and Dan Dean have been working hard for more than a decade, turning up regularly to prove themselves faithful through a musical ministry that has won them scores of faithful fans, not to mention 18 No. 1 singles, several Dove Award nominations and sales near the 2 million mark. Known for their ability to write songs the church loves to sing, this trio brings an experience and maturity to today's modern worship movement, enhanced no doubt by their day jobs as pastors.

While Phillips, Craig & Dean have proven themselves consistent through the years, there is also much that's new in the life of this timeless group.
"These songs are selected because people can join in with their whole hearts and sing," Phillips says. Adds Dean, "With this type of project, we go in asking, How can we draw the audience closer to the presence of God? We don't want it to be about these are great songs, but this is a great God."

Shawn moved into a senior pastor role at the St. Louis church he’s served for more than 25 years; Dan, is a senior pastor in Dallas; Randy and his wife, Denise, started a new church in 2005 in Austin, which is growing by leaps and bounds. Their individual lives are steeped in local church ministry, but it’s the power of song that keeps them coming back to the studio and stage.

While the challenge of balancing local ministry with a music career can make life hectic at times, Phillips, Craig & Dean still have plenty left to say and a calling they still hear loud and clear. "Everybody has a calling they must be faithful to. Ours is to call the church into a closer intimacy with Jesus and we do that through our music," Phillips says. "The topics of how we should love Jesus and what He means to us are inexhaustible, and singing of His attributes is an honour that will never be exhausted."

“Most of our songs come from real life experiences,” Dan says. “We sing to reach out to people who are going through difficult places in their lives. We choose songs that will bring the reality of Christ into those places.”
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