A little about us: BFC was founded in 1920 to ensure that children were cared for in families, rather than in orphanages, where our founders believed they were most likely to get the love and support they needed to thrive. Today we hold fast to that belief and continue this important work by mobilizing the community and providing trauma-informed care.

We make sure children are cared for in a family setting through our two key service areas: Family Strengthening (Safe Families for Children® & Therapeutic Family Services) and Treatment Foster Care.

Find out more about us by clicking here.

Who is Phil Stacey? You may have seen him as a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, watched him perform
on Ellen or The Tonight Show, or attended one of the thousands of concerts he's headlined
worldwide. His performances are marked by soulful and passionate delivery, coupled with powerful
testimonies demonstrating God's faithfulness.

Phil grew up in a ministry family. His father and grandfathers were pastors, and he was raised with
a mission mindset. In college, Phil was often featured as a soloist with the Lee Singers, one of Lee
University's premier touring ensembles. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and toured as
the lead vocalist for the Navy Rock Band Pride. However, his most significant breakthrough came in
2006 when he auditioned for American Idol.

One of my college buddies was planning his wedding and asked me to be in his wedding party,"
Phil recalls. "I wasn't going to be able to make it because of my touring schedule, and he told me
that the only way he could forgive me was if I auditioned for American Idol."

It was his last year of eligibility, and in a dramatic turn of events, just before his audition, he
received a call that his wife, Kendra, had gone into labor with their second child, McKayla.
Producers graciously moved his audition forward so he could sing in front of Randy Jackson, Paula
Abdul, and Simon Cowell—an audition that ultimately won over the judges and captured the hearts
of millions of viewers.

Phil's journey on American Idol built a devoted fanbase, affectionately known as the Philnatics, who
supported him week after week. After his elimination, he signed with Lyric Street Records and
recorded his debut album with award-winning producer Wayne Kirkpatrick. Released in 2008, the
album debuted at No. 8 on Billboard’s Country Album Chart, marking the beginning of his
professional music career.

In the following years, Phil transitioned from country to Christian music, embracing his calling to
lead people in worship. He began partnering with missionaries and chaplains, leading worship and
speaking at various events worldwide.

In 2022, Phil became a published author with Made to Worship (Tyndale House), a book that
explores the transformative power of worship and its role in the Christian life. As a worship pastor,
recording artist, and writer, he continues to merge theology with music, helping believers engage in
more profound and meaningful worship experiences.

Most recently, Phil has been collaborating with his daughter, McKayla, a rising artist in her own right
who was also featured on American Idol in 2023. Their latest release, More Like Him, is a heartfelt
country-Christian duet about how much better the world would be if people reflected the love of
Jesus.

With decades of experience in music ministry, Phil remains dedicated to using his
gifts to inspire, encourage, and lead people into a deeper relationship with Christ—
whether through his music, his writing, or his global ministry efforts.

Phil Stacey Benefit Concert

A night of encouraging music to support the work of Building Families for Children

Team Members