Biography

After pastoring in Iowa, Phil and his family were invited to serve as president of Kentucky Mountain Bible College. Phil and his wife Wanda have four children and six grandchildren.

Dr. Phil Speas served as the president of Kentucky Mountain Bible College for twenty-nine years. Prior to accepting the invitation to minister at KMBC, Phil pastored three churches. While a pastor, he loved his preaching ministry, but of his responsibilities, he enjoyed administration the least. With an invitation to be the administrative head at a bible college, God really moved Phil out of his comfort zone. Dr. Speas testifies that this helped him to depend more on God.

Phil sought council from exemplary leaders, such as Dr. Harold Spann, former president of Wesley Biblical Seminary: “I was ready to be taught, and they were willing to mentor,” he adds. There were a lot of adjustments to be made during the early years of raising a family, but friends and family made the transition a lot easier. God provided financial support, and a mechanic friend who kept their cars fixed. Even when the finances were low, God saw their needs were supplied. Phil remembers two Christmases in particular when churches took them on as projects.

When he was president, Dr. Speas oversaw an expansion of faculty and staff, an increased enrollment, and a continued renovation of campus facilities – most notable the beautiful Helen Luce Chapel. In the last twenty years, “The physical campus has been transformed.” The amount of constituents nearly quadrupled, and there was an increase in charitable donations. Dr. Speas retired in 2022.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Education

Academic Awards, Certifications, Credentials, and Experience