Clergy/Leadership

House of Bishops

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Kevin Champion

Presiding Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Kevin Champion
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Gender: Male
Church/Ministry: House of Bishops, EACA
Title: Presiding Bishop
Location: Shelby, NC
Contact: Email
Follow: Facebook

Bishop Kevin hails from Oxford, North Carolina and currently lives in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. He is a Board certified Chaplain through the Asssociation of Professional Chaplains and serves as Chaplain at a mental health hospital in Charlotte, NC. Kevin previously worked as Chaplain and Director of Client Services at RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network) also in Charlotte. He is a graduate of Louisburg College, Moody Bible Institute, and holds both a Master of Religious Education and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Seminary. He completed an internship in Clinical Pastoral Education at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill and three years of CPE residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He was ordained Deacon and Priest in the EACA in 2002 and consecrated Bishop in 2017. Since 2005 he has likewise served as Director of Formation and Studies in the EACA. In addition, for 22 years Kevin has been Music Director at a small Baptist Church in Gaffney, SC. Kevin shares his home with his three canine children Shadow (a 17 year old Dacshund), Poco (a six year old Chihuahua who thinks he is a Doberman), and Francine (a 14 year old Chihuahua who lies around like the Queen of Sheba). All three have him well trained. He also admits to feeding numerous cats that come and go from around his house and braking for squirrels.

The Rt. Rev. Bishop
Rusty Smith

Bishop Emeritus

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Rusty Smith
Pronouns: He, Him, They—Identify as Queer
Church/Ministry: Evangelical Anglican Church in America
Title: Bishop Emeritus, Hospice Chaplain
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Contact: [email protected]
Follow: Facebook

Rt. Rev. Fr. Rusty Smith completed studies in Theology, Philosophy, and Business at Loyola University, St. Mary’s Seminary, Notre Dame Seminary, with additional studies in Liberation Theology at the Mexican American Cultural Center, Graduating from St. Albans/Anglican Institute for Affirmative Christian Studies. Bishop Smith was a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and has spent his ministry in non-profit leadership for over 30 years with a ministry focus on serving those on the margins, people living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ community,
people in prison, individuals experiencing homelessness and advocating for human rights and creation equality.

Currently Bishop Smith is semi-retired and a hospital/hospice chaplain and lives in Santa Rosa, California with his husband, Scott and their fury kids, Oreo (60 pound standard poodle) and Tater Tot (70 pound standard poodle).

Dr. Paul McCright

Canon

Dr. Paul McCright
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Gender: Male
Church/Ministry: Evangelical Anglican Church in America
Title: Canon to the Ordinary, Publication Team
Location: Commerce, TX
Contact: Email
Follow: Facebook

Paul is an engineer, educator, and consultant. Originally from Hooks, Texas, he has lived in nine states but is now back in Texas where he is teaching again after a couple of attempts to retire. He has been a member of the EACA since 2008 and has served as the Canon of the Ordinary since 2012. He is also proud to have been on the Publication Team with the EACA since 2021.

Our Clergy

The Rev.
Edward Bledsoe

deacon

The Rev. Edward Bledsoe, Dcn.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Gender: Male
Church/Ministry: Evangelical Anglican Church in America
Title: Deacon
Location: Camarillo, CA
Contact:
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The Rev. Edward Bledsoe was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital on the Naval Base in Port Hueneme, Ventura County, California. He received his education in both California and Europe, with his most recent studies completed at the University of Sacramento while serving as a civil servant. During his career, Edward earned several commendations and awards, including a Presidential Citation for his work with U.S. veterans and the wider community in California.

The Rev.
Joel Chan

Priest

The Rev. Joel Chan
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Gender: Male
Church/Ministry: Evangelical Anglican Church in America
Title: Priest
Location: Ventura, CA
Contact:
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The Rev. Joel Chan grew up in the Los Angeles area before leaving for undergraduate studies and later returning for medical school and postgraduate training. Currently, he is working toward an Addiction Counselor Certification. Baptized as a Methodist and raised in the Disciples of Christ tradition, Joel spent several decades away from the church before returning to God and finding a spiritual home and calling among the parishioners of All Saints Parish. Ordained as a deacon in 2018, his ministries focus on assisting the homeless and providing education on HIV/AIDS as well as substance addiction counseling.

The Rev.
Vangie Chavez

PARISH PRiest

The Rev. Vangie Chavez
Pronouns: She/Her
Church/Ministry: Rising Sun Christian Community
Title: Pastor
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Follow: Facebook, Website

Rev. Vangie Chavez is a native New Mexican who grew up in Santa Fe, then in her late teens moved to Albuquerque where she currently resides with her wife, Traci, whom she met in 2003. Vangie studied at Trinity College of the Bible & Theological Seminary and holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies. In 2008, she became affiliated with EACA, and in 2009 was ordained into the diaconate, followed by ordination into the priesthood in 2010. In 2012 Vangie founded and began her current role as the pastor of Rising Sun Christian Community, a contemporary praise and worship church which welcomes all and has a special outreach to the LGBTQ+ community. Vangie’s passion is anchored by a desire to help heal the spiritual trauma of those wounded by individuals within the Church, and to help lead people to a deeper more personal relationship with Jesus.

The Rev.
Kevin Everett

Priest/CHaplain

The Rev. Kevin Everett
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Church/Ministry: Chapel of the Holy Spirit/New Mexico Corrections Department
Title: Chaplain, NMCD Religious & Volunteer Coordinator, Parish Priest
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Contact: Email
Follow: Webpage

Fr. Kevin Everett was born and raised in Oklahoma City. Studying at both Oklahoma Baptist University and Andersonville Theological Seminary, he holds a B.Th. (Theology), and Master and Doctor of Ministry degrees. He has done post-graduate studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation and Oxford University. He served as a pastor for over twenty years and was a missionary in Tanzania, Belize, and Costa Rica. Currently, he works for the New Mexico Corrections Department as the Religious and Volunteer Coordinator.

The Rev.
Paula Gonzalez

DEACON

The Rev. Paula Gonzalez, Dcn.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Church/Ministry:
Title:
Location:
Contact:
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Deacon Paula, a native of Silicon Valley, moved to the Los Angeles area and there she raised three young sons. After receiving her Master's Degree in Conflict Resolution from Cal State Dominguez Hills, she obtained employment as an Employee Relations Specialist for the Federal government. After more than 16 years of civilian service, Paula recently retired and moved to Moses Lake, WA with her wife, Ruth. Ordained in 2018, she serves the EACA as a Deacon. Paula is currently serving the Moses Lake community as a volunteer Chaplain with local hospice and law enforcement agencies.

The Rev.
Jeff Hall

Priest

The Rev. Jeff Hall
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Church/Ministry: All Saints Episcopal Church, Oxnard, CA
Title: Pew Sitter - Retired
Location: Ventura, CA
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Rev. Fr. Jeff Hall has spent most of his adult life serving others through various ministries over the decades. Ordained a priest in 1977, Jeff has always balanced his clerical duties with a full-time career as a business manager. This unique combination has allowed him to build long-term relationships with a wide range of people.

Throughout his ministry, Jeff has worked as a hospital and hospice chaplain, served in prison ministry in the Seattle area, worked as a funeral home chaplain in Long Beach, CA, and most recently served as a parish priest for All Saints Anglican Church in Ventura until its closing.

His secular career has also given him the opportunity to provide listening ministry, offering presence and support during difficult times—often without those he helps knowing he is a priest. Jeff is deeply grateful for the journeys God has taken him on.

An avid hiker, Jeff spends most weekends exploring the mountains around Ventura. Nature, family, and friends hold a special place in his heart.

The Rev.
Diane Mead

PARISH PRIEST

The Rev. Diane Mead
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Church/Ministry: Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Title: Priest
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Contact:
Follow: Facebook

The Rev. Diane Mead was born and raised in Montana before moving to Chicago in 1969, where she worked for four years at a boarding school for juvenile delinquent girls operated by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social Work. After living in Chicago for 20 years, Diane relocated to Albuquerque, NM, in 1988, where she has lived since.

She is a licensed Independent Social Worker with a specialty in Clinical Social Work and has maintained a private psychotherapy practice since 1992. Diane joined the EACA Chapel of the Holy Spirit in 2014, coming from a Catholic background.

The Rev.
Jay Mueller

PArish Priest

The Rev. Jay Mueller
Pronouns: He/Him/His, Dude, Bro
Church/Ministry: Chapel of the Holy Spirit
Title: Priest
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Contact:
Follow: Facebook

Born and raised within the Anglican tradition, The Rev. Jay Mueller is originally from Liberal, Kansas, and currently serves as rector/vicar of Chapel of the Holy Spirit. He was ordained to the diaconate in 2007 at First Parish Church in Brunswick, Maine, by the Rt. Rev. Rusty Smith and the Rt. Rev. David Bellville. Two years later, in August 2009, he was ordained to the priesthood at the Dominican Retreat House in Albuquerque, New Mexico, also by Rt. Rev. Rusty Smith.

Fr. Jay has been active with the Chapel of the Holy Spirit faith community since its founding and was an original member of St. Stephen's Anglican Spirituality Center in Albuquerque, planted by Rt. Rev. Rusty Smith in 1999. His formation includes coursework from the Anglican Institute of Affirmative Christian Studies.

The Rev.
Jeremiah Reeve

Parish Priest

The Rev. Jeremiah Reeve
Pronouns: He/Him
Church/Ministry: A Light in the Darkness
Title: Priest
Location: Branson, Missouri

Baptized by his Presbyterian minister grandad and raised United Methodist, Jeremiah has a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. He served as a Methodist pastor before becoming an Anglican deacon and priest and then finding a home with the EACA in 2023.

He and his wife, Abby, live in Branson, Missouri. They currenly host small group meetings in their home and strive to be a safe place for people to search for good news and light among the darkness of religious trauma, theologies of exclusion, and the complexities of life. They are also active in their community arts organizations.

The Rev.
Kristina Russell-Elliott

Priest

The Rev. Kristina Elliott-Russell
Pronouns: They/Them
Church/Ministry: Evergreen UMC
Title: Priest
Location: Fort Bragg, CA
Contact:
Follow: Facebook

The Rev. Kristina Russell-Elliott is a graduate of the Pacific School of Religion’s CTEL program and serves as an assistant pastor at Evergreen Methodist Church in Fort Bragg, California. Kris is deeply interested in all things interfaith and considers their ordination to the priesthood one of their greatest blessings.

The Rev.
Steve Sale

Priest

The Rev. Steve Sale
Pronouns:
Church/Ministry:
Title:
Location:
Contact:
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The Rev. Stephen Sale grew up in Texas but spent a year living in Morocco while his father taught at the University of Rabat. A cradle Episcopalian, Stephen initially set aside his call to ordained ministry to serve in the U.S. Navy following his graduation from the University of North Texas. He served 31 years as an active duty Naval Officer and six years as a senior civilian.

Throughout his 37 years of military service and leadership, Stephen committed to serving Christ in all persons, a principle consistent with both his baptismal covenant and his oath to his country. After returning to Dallas in 2013, he resumed his call to ordained ministry, supported by studies at the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas Stanton Center and Perkins School of Theology at SMU.

Stephen’s ministries in Dallas focus on serving the homeless and hungry through organizations like The Gathering and The Bridge, alongside his service at St. Thomas Church.

The Rev.
Debbie Starnes

Chaplain

The Rev. Debbie Starnes
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Church/Ministry: Saint Simeon's Senior Community
Title: Chaplain
Location: Tulsa, OK
Follow: Facebook

The Rev. Debbie Starnes currently serves as Chaplain at Saint Simeon’s Senior Community. Deb+ and her wife Lynn have been married for 20 years and enjoy playing and listening to music, raising big goofy rescue dogs, and spending time with their six grandchildren. Deb+ is known for her lively homilies, her support of justice and her firm belief that the manifestation of God’s love on this earth is for all people.

Deb+ is a graduate of John Brown University where she studied psychology, theology, and Christian education. She completed coursework toward her Masters in Community Counseling at Oklahoma State University. She is also a graduate of the former Anglican Institute for Affirmative Studies. Ordained to the permanent diaconate in March 1996, Deb+ served as the founding Deacon of the Parish Church of St. Jerome in Tulsa (once the Cathedral for the EACA). In 2001, Deb+ was called as Rector of St. Jerome. She
was ordained to the sacred order of priests in February of 2002 and served as Rector of
St. Jerome’s until December 31, 2004.

Following a major health issue, Deb+ and Lynn moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 2008 where they managed a wedding chapel and Deb+ served as pastor of All Saints Church. In 2014, Deb+ and Lynn returned to Tulsa where Deb+ stepped once again into service through her career and her community. Deb+ retired in 2023 after a 45-year nonprofit career serving marginalized communities primarily in the areas of health and mental health.

The Rev.
Russell VanHoose

Chaplain

The Rev. Russell VanHoose
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Gender: Male
Church/Ministry: The Sacred Middle
Title: Community & Hospice Chaplain
Location: New Braunfels, TX
Contact: Email
Follow: SubStack

Father Russell lives in New Braunfels, Texas, with his husband Kenny. Raised in Northwest Texas in a family where both grandfathers served as ministers, he knows the church from the inside—its gifts, its limitations, and its capacity for both harm and healing. Russell is a hospice chaplain and community chaplain through his practice, Sacred Middle, where his work focuses on grief support, spiritual presence, and fostering connection within faith and community settings.

An ordained minister affiliated with the Evangelical Anglican Church in America, Russell has been in ministry for over 35 years. He holds an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and studied at Asbury Seminary. He brings practical, relational wisdom to those navigating life's transitions, especially through hospice chaplaincy and spiritual care.

Russell is also a writer whose essays and poetry explore themes of grief, queerness, and honest spirituality.