Philip Michael Pantana, Sr. was born in Lima, Ohio. He grew up in a farming community with his two brothers and sister in NW Ohio. Phil attended a private Christian school that was within walking distance of his farm home. After high school, Phil went to Chicago where he attended Moody Bible Institute and graduated from Midwestern Broadcasting School. His educational experience includes: Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina; Liberty Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Presently he is working toward a Ph.D. in Religion & Politics.

After college, Phil and his wife, Joy, moved to Lynchburg, Virginia to begin teaching and singing at the schools founded by Jerry Falwell. In addition to teaching in the areas of communication, music and theology, Phil was a radio announcer, music director, program producer and host at the college radio station he helped to start for Falwell. During this time, the Pantana Family (a mixed quartet with Phil and Joy, and Phil’s brother and his wife, John and Linda) became active in politics with Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority. The Pantana Family became a regular feature on the Sunday telecast of the Old-Time Gospel Hour with TV preacher Jerry Falwell.

More recently, Phil and Joy started several business adventures in the food, manufacturing, and hospitality industries. They manufacture and market a family recipe of an Italian salad and marinade dressing named after Phil’s grandfather, Gaetano.