Thinking of Phill I’m reminded of these words I penned in 2015:

I will disturb tranquil waters

And the ripples will widen

Throughout generations

Yet I am not there....

WM. July 2015

Phill’s impact, over decades, on the lives of countless people around the world, will continue to wash over the shores of generations as the ripples of his life and work will widen and spread across nations through those whose life Phill has impacted.

Thank you Phill for your life and I count it a blessing to have know and walked along side you in part of your journey. 

Wayne McGee

I met Phil the first time in 1998. He has been for me a model of a great servant of God and a mentor.  He helped me understand the need and how to do Kingdom collaboration to expand God’s Kingdom.

I am celebrating his life and looking forward to seeing him again.

Younoussa Djao

Former InterDev SSA Director

While traveling with Phill as a teenager Phill suggested I contact a guy named Robert. His suggestion turned into a twenty year endeavor to plant a church in north Africa. These were the best years of my life. We were so successful we were kicked out. 

Thanks to Phill Butler for the initial suggestion.

Willie Easley 

We are sad to hear of Phill's passing. He was a great inspiration to us...how he truly cared about the body of Christ being all it could be, both individually and corporately. Please accept our sincere condolences to Kärin and family and the staff at visionSynergy.

Dear Karen and family, remembering Phil I mourn with you and take courage and hope from Easter morning’s reality in this world and the way your Dad lived his life to testify to that. 

My family met Phill's family when he and my husband worked for Kings Gardens in N. Seattle. We also attended Esperance Baptist Church at that time.  Our daughter, Deborah Quigley often "babysat" their two daughters.  She has kept in touch with Phill at various places around the globe all these years.  One of her favorite stories is being a passenger in Phill's Porsche.  We last saw him in Edmonds before he moved to S. California.  Many memories.  

Dear Karin and Family,
It is with heavy hearts we received the news regarding Phil's homegoing. He will forever have a place in our hearts as a global pioneer who opened the door to better understand the importance and impact of collaboration. May you know the peace and comfort of the Father at this time of great loss. May your hearts be filled with the joy of knowing you had a wonderful dad who loved you, Jesus and the world so well. With love and deepest condolences, Crowell Trust board and staff.

Phill took the time to meet with me for coffee at a crucial point in ministry…as I’m sure will be the storyline of MANY!! We will all miss those nuggets of loving care in wise words. 

Sending prayer in your grief - Karin - and to all the Butler family.

My condolences to the Butler family.  And welcoming him home to his Fathers House.  He was instrumental in helping us at MUP develop a networking project. 

Phill life and ministry placed him, in my view, on the honor-roll of God's Kingdom. I was personally blessed by his friendship and counsel in ministry. Tom Correll, Retired Missions Pastor, Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie  MN

I first met Phill at a seminar in my early days (early 90's) working for Azusa Pacific University. Don Dorr, a professor and colleague, suggested that I must meet him. Little did I know the intricate pathways in which our stories would interweave. That day, Phill introduced us to Marshall McLuhan and strategic ways of accelerating the gospel.Around the same time, I led a high school missions congress (1989), only to find out years later that Phill's daughter, Kärin led a workshop at our congress. Who could've imagined the trajectory of what God was doing in those days...Due to the influence of Phill's seminar and courses like Perspectives, I started focusing on unreached people groups. My church had adopted the Kazakh people and were deeply involved in the Kazakh partnership and consultation as well as the Central Asia Consultation and Business Consultation. In those days, I was only vaguely aware of Phill's influence behind these gatherings. Later I lived in Turkey under the auspices of the International Turkey Network and connected more and more with ministries across the MENA region.Fast forward to my early days at A3 (formerly Asian Access) where I met Phill at a MissioNexus gathering. I was seeking his counsel now that I was well aware of Phill's wisdom and experience. And, Phill invited Kärin along whom I was quickly impressed by. Learning that she had lived in China, I reached out to my colleagues there who promptly said, "Joe, she'd be perfect for our board." Today, here we are over a decade later serving together with A3! And, only recently did I realize that Kärin was also at that event in 1989.Just a few years ago, Phill called me saying, "Joe, A3 is really strong at discipleship systems -- developing leaders who reproduce disciples who then plant churches. Would you join us for The Last Mile?" Today, because of Phill's influence and connections, A3 has entered the MENA and Central Asia regions because of Phill's friendship and challenge.I praise the Lord for Phill's kingdom approach to ministry. Some could argue that without his fingerprints, collaboration would not be where it is in our world today. I believe this is true.I will miss my friend and wise counselor. Throughout my mission leadership journey, he's been a sherpa pointing the way. And, the relationships fostered from his influence in my life are immense. Heaven has gained a wonderful voice and while we will certainly miss him on this side, we'll stand with him one day with the one who Phill longed to see worship by the least reached corners of our world!

Phil, I love and miss you brother. You are such a stalwart saint (you are so much more so now). Your advice and generosity have been vital in the establishment and growth of the Visual Story Network. The thing that strikes me most about you is how you viewed me as a peer even though you had decades more experience than me. You also made one of the most strategic introductions that still influences the ministry of my wife, my son and myself. Thank you. Jesus, thank you for welcoming my friend and brother into your perfect presence. 

Phill never hesitated to get on the floor to play with our children, teaching them new vocabulary. 

One of the greats. Grief and love. 

in 2004, while attending a workshop at ECHO in North Fort Myers, FL, I purchased the Perspectives Reader and took it back with me to Guatemala where we lived and served at that time. When I came across Phill's article (which is sadly no longer included in the Reader) I knew I had to contact him to see if he could mentor me as what I saw happening in Guatemala had nothing to do with networking or partnership amongst those in mission or involved with churches. That led to Phill's coming to Guatemala to share his knowledge through a 3 1/2 day workshop around 2006. And we remained in contact since then. I had the gift of having coffee with Phill last year in Pasadena before our move from there back to WIS. He was as usual full of great insights and advice. I will miss him greatly but what he taught me I will carry with me always.  

I have been sitting here reflecting on the wonderful impact Phill’s life had on me but, more importantly, on the kingdom ministry of many Presbyterian churches, the context in which I saw his ideas at work. From early Central Asia consultations (InterDev) to burgeoning networks in other parts of the world, God used him in mighty ways. I especially remember his impact on Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship (now Frontier Fellowship). The Presbyterian Office of International Evangelism sponsored a conference in September of 2000 to celebrate Presbyterian involvement in the AD2000 and Beyond movement. PFF did a pre-conference event on partnership featuring—of course—Phill. His influence there was instrumental in helping foster partnership as an important aspect of work affiliated with Frontier Fellowship until today. Thanks be to God for Phill’s life and legacy, now carried on by VisionSynergy and many others!

Sharpening "NABLA Initiative" vision

Kärin, I am sorry to hear of your loss. It has been a long journey and you have cared for Phil well during these last few years. He was loved by you and so many of us around the world. I remember many conversations in Edmonds at visionSynergy board meetings, and times in coffee shops, conference ball rooms, walks and drives with Phil in places all over the world. We always felt Phil was the true "Most Interesting Man in The World" as he had so many stories from his days as an AP journalist as well as InterDev and vS. We stand committed with you to continue his and your vision that Christian leaders would by habit always ask, "Who can I partner with" when they come up with new ministry ideas. My you feel God's comfort and presence in amazing ways during this time of grief.

Dear Karin: praying for you and your family. Phill was one of those name stands out as a great influencer for God’s Kingdom. It was great to learn from you in Malta about his involvement with BlueMed too. Blessings-Ravi Jayakaran

A PICNIC WITH PHILLIt was a beautiful day when I set out for a picnic with Phill Butler, the partnership guru. As we drove from Edmonds and took a ferry to Kingston and then to Agate Point, Phill's positive attitude and infectious energy filled the car. He regaled me with stories of his travels, his work with non-profits, and his vision for creating partnerships that bring positive change to communities around the world.

Throughout our journey, I was struck by Phill's wisdom and his love for the Lord. His words were always grounded in his deep faith, and he saw opportunities for partnership and collaboration everywhere he looked. Whether we were sharing a meal or walking along the beach at Bainbridge Island, Phill's passion for making a difference was contagious. It was clear that he saw every moment as an opportunity to serve and spread the love of God. As our picnic came to a close and we drove back to Edmonds, I was grateful for the chance to spend time with such an inspiring and uplifting person.William Paul K P

Phill and William Paul K P — with WILLIAM PAUL K P