Philip Mounstephen

Philip Ian Mounstephen (born 13 July 1959) is a British Anglican priest and missionary. Since 2012, he has been the executive leader of the Church Mission Society (CMS). He previously worked for Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and has served in parish ministry in the Diocese of Oxford, the Diocese of Southwark, and the Diocese in Europe.

Mounstephen was born on 13 July 1959 in Crookham Village, Hampshire, England. He was educated at St Edward's School, Oxford, an independent boarding school in Oxford, Oxfordshire. He studied English Literature at the University of Southampton, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1980. He then underwent teacher training at Magdalen College, Oxford, completing his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in 1981.

In 1985, Mounstephen entered Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, an Evangelical Anglican theological college, to train for ordained ministry. During this time, he also studied theology at Magdalen College, Oxford, and he graduated with a further BA in 1987: as per tradition, his BA was later promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree. He also completed a Certificate in Theology (CTh) in 1988.