Our Leadership Team
Philip DesJardine
Lead Pastor
Born and raised in Tiverton, Ontario, Phil attended Kincardine District Secondary School before he completed his Bachelor of Theology degree at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener Ontario. Following Bible college, Phil spent nine years pastoring the Eau Claire Missionary Church near Mattawa, Ontario before coming to Pastor the Palmerston Evangelical Missionary Church in November 2012.
Phil has been married to Amanda for 20 years, and they joyfully parent four daughters. Their family is filled out by two dogs.
Phil has a great heart for the outdoors, and finds that he connects well with God as he hikes, fishes, hunts and camps. When time permits, Phil also takes pleasure in riding the hills and curves of Ontario on his motorcycle. Phil enjoys working with his hands, whether it is renovating their 100 year old house or affecting minor vehicle repairs. It is often when his hands are occupied that Phil is able to do some of his best thinking and praying. Phil has served eighteen years as a volunteer fire fighter, first with the Calvin Township Fire Department and now with Minto Fire.
Although he is a husband and a father - two roles that he values more deeply than he can say - Phil believes that it is his identity as a child of God that is most critical in defining who he is and what he does
Sylvia Drake
Office Administrator
Sylvia was born and raised in Englehart, ON. For her, God leading her to Palmerston has been a homecoming of sorts. After too many years in big cities, Sylvia is thrilled God has brought her back to a small town.
Born and raised in a United Apostolic Faith Church, Sylvia made a decision for the Lord at a very young age. Throughout her early teens she taught Sunday School, sang on worship teams and was very active in youth group. Most of these activities carried over into her adult life.
Sylvia has lived in a number of different areas in Ontario, and even lived in Iqaluit, NU for 2½ years, going where her work took her. God has always been gracious and faithful to supply her needs. She retired in November 2023, after 35 years as a medical administrative assistant. Though she enjoyed her work immensely, Sylvia absolutely loves being able to use her administrative skills to serve her church family.
When not working Sylvia enjoys time with her siblings and friends and adores her Malshi, Xena the Warrior Puppy! Some of her passions are reading, crafting, baking and cake decorating and cooking to entertain family and friends.