Bishops, Staff & Leadership
The Right Reverend Charles Alexander Farmer
Diocesan Bishop
Bishop Alex was elected and consecrated in 2022 as the second bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America.
He was first ordained in 2000 after serving a parish for three years as a youth minister. In 2002, he was called to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Gainesville, FL, a declining church in need of revitalization. He and the members of St. Michael’s reorganized in 2006 to found Servants of Christ Anglican Church, now a thriving congregation, where he served as rector until just after his election.
Alex also served for many years as the priest-in-charge of Camp Araminta, a week-long summer camp ministry of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. His ministry over the years has focused on the cost of discipleship, the call to unity, and the essential need to be quiet before the Lord–empowered by the Holy Spirit. He has been married to his wife, Jody, for 31 years. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.
Bishop's Staff
The Venerable Dr. Jessica Jones
Archdeacon
Jessica Jones was raised in parish and diocesan ministry and was ordained in 2017. She serves as the Bishop’s Archdeacon and Canon for Leadership, which includes next generation discipleship, ordination preparation, clergy transfers, and clergy education. She has served in a variety of parish positions, including as a worship leader, as a Director for Christian Formation, and as an Executive Pastor. Jessica's educational experience has set her up to blend education, worship, and theology; she holds a Ph.D., a Specialist's degree, and a Master's degree, all in Educational Leadership, a Doctorate in Worship Studies, and her undergraduate degree is in Music Education. Jessica is the Associate Academic Dean, Thesis Director, and Professor at the Webber Institute for Worship Studies. She formerly served as the Provincial Canon for Next Generation Leadership for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), currently serves as their Diocesan Canon Coordinator, and serves on the Vision 2030 strategic planning team for the ACNA.
Ms. Catherine Datres
Executive Administrator
Catherine is a member of All Souls Anglican Church in Jacksonville, Florida. She is married to Mike and has two daughters, Alex and Tori. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Finance and received her MBA from the University of North Florida.
She comes to the Diocese with 30+ years’ experience in the banking industry with an emphasis in Financial Reporting, Budgeting and Regulatory implementation.
She has a passion for mission work and financial literacy. For missions she is a certified Perspectives Coordinator and has participated in several gospel sharing missions in Cuba. For financial literacy she is a certified financial coach assisting individuals on personal financial goals and has led a financial workshop in Ireland.
The Reverend Dr. Bob Ayres
Chair, Board of Examining Chaplains
Born in south Florida, Bob grew up in Gainesville and graduated from the University of Florida in secondary education. The Ayres lived for a season in Georgia and Kentucky before moving back to Gainesville in 2017. Bob has Masters of Religious Education, Masters of Education, and Doctor of Ministry degrees. All three graduate degrees are in the area of leadership. In 2000, Bob and Kathy founded a national ministry called "Deaf Teen Quest" that since 2009 is a ministry of Youth For Christ USA. Kathy retired from a career in Occupational Therapy and was ordained a deacon in 2023. She leads the Access Leadership Network for Next Generation Leadership Initiative.
Following a career in the nonprofit sector, Bob was ordained a priest in ACNA in 2019. God stirred up a vision in Bob’s heart for establishing the DEAFCHURCH TOGETHER movement in the ACNA based on his doctoral work. He produces an online weekly liturgical service in American Sign Language and has published three books including DEAFCHURCH 21: Vision for a New Generation. Bob has a deep commitment for mentoring and empowering ministry leaders. The Ayres have six adult children (two of whom are Deaf) and a dozen delightful grandchildren!
The Reverend Bryan Biba, Obl.S.B.
Canon for Leadership
Bryan was born and raised in Chicagoland. He graduated from Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in theology. Bryan also earned a Master of Divinity with a certificate in Anglican Studies from Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC. Fr. Bryan is an oblate of the Order of St. Benedict, St, John’s Abbey in Collegeville , MN.
After his ordination in 2015, Bryan served as Curate at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Tallahassee, FL, Associate Rector at Christ Church Cathedral in Plano, TX, and Interim Priest at Redemption Anglican Church in Frisco, TX.
Bryan and his wife, Laura McClain-Biba, enjoy cooking good food, reading old books, biking, and spending time with their son and two daughters. Ask Bryan about college basketball, bread baking, and Star Trek.
The Reverend Craig Brown
Associate for Congregational Health
Father Craig has been a priest since 2004. He has served as rector and church planter in Kansas and Texas, and currently serves St. Peter’s in the Glen Anglican Church in Glen St. Mary, Florida. He has also been a missionary in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, and a part of several initiatives for new ministry or ministry revitalization.
He is a licensed Mental Health Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Florida, and has worked extensively in that field, serving in mental health hospitals, in the prison system, and in outpatient settings. He is in private practice.
His passion is for the transformation of the lives of individuals, families, and communities through the work of the Holy Spirit. He is deeply invested in contemplative spirituality and prayer.
He has been married to Christie for 23 years. They have two children.
Mrs. Michelle Herbst
Ministry Director and Associate Director of Church Planting
Michelle grew up in Jacksonville. She moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, where she joined the InterVarsity campus ministry. Upon graduation, she came on staff with InterVarsity, serving as a Tallahassee campus staff for five years and then as the North Florida area director for seven years. She joined the diocesan staff team in late 2020. She is deeply passionate about raising up leaders, church planting, and creating spaces for people to encounter God in prayer. She has a Masters of Theological Studies with a concentration in the Old Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Jacksonville). She was on the core team that helped plant Incarnation Tallahassee, where she and her husband, Zach, still serve as leaders.
The Reverend Dr. Samuel Horowitz
Canon for Communications & IT
Samuel was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, and came to faith through as a child in an Anglican congregation. He earned a Doctor of Worship Studies degree from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Jacksonville), and a degree in Family Youth and Community Science from the University of Florida.
He was ordained a deacon in 2010 and a priest in 2011 and has served parishes in the Jacksonville and Metro DC areas. In addition to his work for the Diocese, he is Assistant Pastor and Technical Director at Grace Anglican Church in Fleming Island, and a Missionary Companion of NAMS.
He is married to the beautiful and talented Allison, and has three children.
The Reverend Christopher Jones
Canon for Next Generation Ministry
Fr. Christopher’s call is as a son, brother, uncle, mentor, friend, community builder, cultural translator, advocate for the marginalized, and most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ. He was born and raised in Brooklyn and has preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in various cities throughout the US and in places such as far as Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
He received his first university degree from the State University of New York. He later went on to earn a Master’s in Public & International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. It was at Pitt that Fr. Christopher heard afresh his call to ordained ministry. After graduating and working in the corporate world for a couple of years, he attended Trinity School for Ministry, and finished his Master’s degree in Divinity with an emphasis in evangelism and church planting. After Trinity, he was called to Florida to plant a church with fellow seminary graduates in a historically black and entrepreneurial neighborhood that fell on tough times—a work that bore much Kingdom fruit.
In addition to his roles with the Diocese and All Souls, he is the owner/operator of Paramount Digital - a small venture that seeks to empower and guide churches, nonprofits, and small businesses up the digital mountain. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sacred Rhetoric at Duquesne University. In his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, skeet shooting, and hanging out with his 4 year old, Butch (the dog).
Mr. Dennis Kelemen
Bookkeeper & Treasurer
Dennis has lived in Jacksonville, Titusville, Gainesville, and Palatka Florida. Dennis attended the University of Florida, receiving an undergraduate degree in Accounting, and the University of North Florida, receiving a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Dennis has worked in the accounting departments of several companies in various industries. These industries include healthcare, architecture and engineering, and pulp and paper.
These experiences include managing professional and clerical staff, implementing new accounting systems, working on cross-functional teams responsible for responding to audits, implementation of strategies to retain or procure customers, and complying with regulations or service agreements.
Dennis has attended All Souls Anglican or Calvary Anglican church in Jacksonville Florida. He has been a member of All Souls from 1981 to 2000, Calvary from 2001 to 2012, and a member of All Souls from 2012 to current. He serves on the Missions Committee at All Souls. He has led several missions trips to Dominican Republic and was on the missions team to Honduras. Dennis has taught several Sunday School classes on Missions, and Biblical prophecy.
Dennis has been married to Marilou for 42 years and has two grown children.
The Reverend Lenny Konschewitz
Associate for Church Planting
Lenny is originally from Nuremberg, Germany. In 2019 he and his wife Caly moved to Florida to plant The Table Church in St. Augustine, FL, out of Grace Anglican Church in Fleming Island. They have three children.
Having been greatly impressed by the level of support, encouragement, and friendship experienced in in the diocese as a church planter, he is now very excited to help shape the future of church planting. He will work within the deaneries to bring about new opportunities to plant churches that are fully alive in the Spirit, firmly rooted in Scripture, and rich in a beautiful sacramental way of worship.
The Reverend Bill Krizner
Canon for Church Development
Before accepting the assignment to become Canon for Congregational Development, Bill worshipped and served at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral since 2016. He has been married to his best friend and covenant partner, Kristen, for the past twenty-four years. They have three children, Katerina, Sophia, and Isabella.
After stints as a Special Assistant to Bishop Neil Lebhar and then Archbishop Duncan, Bill became the Canon for Missions & Evangelism in October 2020 and saw parishioner volunteer engagement increase from under five percent to over sixty percent, the doubling of the missions and evangelism budget, and, most importantly, a deepening desire of parishioners to boldly proclaim the saving power of Jesus to their neighbors. Such work has involved forming critical partnerships with local churches and parachurches, and even helping birth four separate 501(c)3 ministries. Bill has recently served as the Chairperson for the ACNA Adult Misconduct Taskforce and has served on the board of several local ministries.
Bill also manages a national employment law and human resource boutique that provides organizational, developmental, and compliance-centered consulting to its clients. Founded in 2001, the Firm assists entitles with strategic planning, human organizational development, risk management and conflict resolution. Recreationally, Bill enjoys running; mountain-climbing; hiking anywhere and everywhere in the Western North Carolina mountains; spending time with his boxer, Caesar; and having as much time with people as the day will allow.
The Reverend Leah Slawson
Director of Safeguarding
The Director of Safeguarding oversees our Safeguarding Committee, comprised of three teams: the Response team, the Prevention team, and the Training team. The Safeguarding Our People Committee exists to protect our people, our congregations and communities and the diocese, from unnecessary or unforeseen risks; to assist with consistent and uniform policies throughout the diocese; and to help prevent, and respond with integrity to, crises arising under any diocesan policies through a supportive and transparent process
Leah holds a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Auburn University. In addition to her work for the Diocese, she is Pastoral Associate for Adult Formation at Christchurch Montgomery. As a Certified Praesidium Guardian, she is an expert on the prevention of abuse and helps our diocese provide a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults.
She has worked as a high school English teacher, in the corporate world, and as freelance writer. She has been married to her husband, Guice, for 37 years. They have two adult children and one grandchild.
More Diocesan Leaders
The Rev. Canon Andrew M. Rowell
Canon for Governance
Andrew Rowell is honored to serve as the Canon for Governance for the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. In this new role, Canon Andrew will oversee the annual review of and occasional amendments to the Constitution & Canons of Diocese and advise the Bishop and Chancellors on matters of canon (ecclesiastical) law. Cn. Andrew is Rector of Christchurch Montgomery and Dean of the Western Deanery. Cn. Andrew also serves as Vice-Chair of the Governance Task Force for the Anglican Church in North America. Andrew has a passion for preaching and teaching God’s Word, for sending the church out into the world to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and in the maintenance of good and godly governance, so that the church is unencumbered in its efforts to spread the Gospel.
Prior to becoming Rector of Christchurch, Andrew was Associate Rector for Evangelism & Discipleship (2012-15) and Associate Rector for Youth & Families (2008-12) at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Tallahassee, Florida. Andrew received his undergraduate degree from Duke University (1995), his law degree from the University of Virginia (1999), and his Masters of Divinity from the Duke University Divinity School (2008). In his prior professional life, Andrew served as a homeless shelter manager, a speechwriter for the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and a tax attorney at Hogan Lovells LLP in Washington, D.C. He is married to Miriam “Mimi” Suber Rowell, who is a Critical Care Registered Nurse. They have two sons.
Assisting Bishops
The Rt. Rev. Neil G. Lebhar
Assisting Bishop
The Right Reverend Neil G. Lebhar was consecrated in 2010 as the first bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. Previously, he served as rector of Church of the Redeemer in Jacksonville, FL, as well as Assistant Rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, VA.
He and his wife Marcia were married in 1971. They have two daughters and a son, and nine grandchildren. They also have a foster daughter who has three children.
Bishop Lebhar received his B.A. from Princeton University and holds masters degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Virginia Theological Seminary. Neil and Marcia have led dozens of groups to study in the land of Israel. He loves the Lord, his family, and is grateful for the Lord’s mercy.
The Rt. Rev. John E. Miller III
Assisting Bishop
Following a career as a marine biologist, John attended Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA, earning an MDiv, and was subsequently ordained to the priesthood. He then served as Assistant Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Melbourne, FL, and Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Melbourne. In February 2004, John joined the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) and planted Prince of Peace Anglican Church in Melbourne.
He was consecrated as a Bishop in the AMiA in 2008 and then served as one of the founding Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America. In 2012, he re-entered parish ministry, accepting a call as Rector of Christ Church, Vero Beach, where he remained until “retirement.” He now serves as a SoulCare Pastor, ministering to those struggling under the pressures of ordained leadership.
John has led three mission trips to Rwanda, and he and his wife, Joyce, have hosted seven pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and another to Greece and Turkey to study the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. He enjoys gardening, fishing, hiking, and travel.
Governance Committee Members & Representatives
The Diocese works to represent each deanery in its various governing bodies. They are designated below as follows: (W) Western; (C) Central; (NE) Northeastern; (S) Southern.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee is an elected group of clergy and laypersons who serve to assist the Bishop in effective leadership of the diocese. The Standing Committee supports the Bishop the way a vestry supports a rector, and annually reviews the Bishop. They also help review and approve congregation and clergy transfers as well as ordinations.
Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council is an executive body with power to implement policies and programs adopted by Synod. It is composed of the Bishop, Secretary, Chancellor, Deans, SC Chair, Treasurer, three clergy (elected), and three laypersons (elected). The Bishop has authority and responsibility for budgetary and fiscal management, but the Diocesan Council works to propose and submit the budget annually. They also oversee the work of the Finance Committee and the Constitution & Canons Committee.
Through 2025
The Rev. Jon Hall (C)
Mrs. Kim Hassell (NE)
Through 2026
The Rev. Jeff Grossman (S)
Ms. Ellen Boyer (S)
Through 2027
The Rev. Dan Thompson (W)
Ms. Emily Hathcock (S)
Ex-Officio
The Rt. Rev. Alex Farmer, Chair
The Ven. Dr. Jessica Jones
Mr. Chris McCarthy
The Rev. Canon Christopher Jones
The Rev. Canon Bill Krizner
Mrs. Michelle Herbst
The Rev. Canon Dr. Sam Horowitz
Other Members
The Rev. Canon Dr. Keith Allen, Standing Committee Chair
Mr. Mose Stuart, Chancellor
Mr. Gary Hunter, co-Chancellor
Mr. Dennis Kelemen, Chair DRC
The Rev. Justin Smith, Secretary of Synod
Deans
The Very Rev. Marcus Kaiser, Cathedral
The Very Rev. David Ball, Northeastern
The Very Rev. John Wallace, Central
The Very Rev. Mike McDonald, Southern
The Very Rev. Robert Seawell, Western
The Very Rev. Joe Porfidio,
BIvocational Clergy
Finance Committee
The Diocesan Finance Committee is appointed by the Bishop and has oversight of the business and financial control methods of all parishes and congregations in the diocese.
Delegates Through 2025: Mr. Dennis Kelemen, DRC Chair; Mr. Chris McCarthy, Executive Administrator; The Rev. Jon Hall, Central Deanery; Mrs. Kim Hassell, Northeastern Deanery; Tracy La Cagnina, Southern Deanery
Constitution and Canons Committee
The Constitution and Canons Committee consists of three clergy persons and three lay persons, one member being a practicing attorney, and all appointed by the Bishop with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee. The Canon for Governance is an ex-officio member and the chair. The responsibility of this committee is to consider all proposed amendments to the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese as recommended by Diocesan Council. They present proposed amendments to the Synod for vote. Each member serves a three year term.
Through 2025
Mr. Jay Fant
Through 2026
2 Open
Ex-Officio
The Rev. Canon Andrew Rowell, Canon for Governance and Chair
Mr. Mose Stuart, Chancellor
Mr. Gary Hunter, Vice-Chancellor
Nominating Committee
The Committee on Nominations is charged with developing a slate of candidates for each office to be filled by election at Synod. It consists of the elected members of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council serving in the final year of their terms, plus the Deans. The Committee on Nominations is a subcommittee of the Standing Committee, which supervises its activities.
2025
The Rev. Jon Hall
Ms. Kim Hassell
The Rev. Canon Dr. Keith Allen
Ms. Emily Wilson
+ the Clergy Deans
Provincial Delegates
Provincial Council
The Synod elects one clergyperson and two lay persons to serve 5-year terms as members of the Anglican Church in North America's Provincial Council. The member of the clergy nominated must be serving either on the Standing Committee or the Diocesan Council at the time of nomination.
Delegates: Ms. Beth Kirby (Lay Representative through 2025), The Very Rev. John Wallace (Clergy Representative through 2027), Mr. Mark Wilkerson (Lay Representative through 2027)
Provincial Assembly
The Synod elects four lay representatives and four clergy representatives (along with an alternate in each order) in addition to their bishop to represent the Diocese at Provincial Council. The bishop appoints three youth delegates and an alternate. The Provincial Assembly of the Anglican Church in North America meets every 5 years.
2024 Delegates: Mr. Chris McCarthy, Ms. Beth Kirby, Mr. Mark Wilkerson, Mr. David Mica, Sr., the Ven. Dr. Jessica Jones, the Very Rev. John Wallace, the Very Rev. Marcus Kaiser, the Rev. Canon Andrew Rowell, the Rev. Canon Dr. Keith Allen (alternate)
2024 Youth Delegation: Ms. Hannah McDonald, Mr. James Kaiser, Ms. Kaiti Kirby, Mr. John Driscoll (alternate)
Ecclesiastical Trial Court
Four clergy and three lay people are elected every two years for a two-year term. Members through the end of 2026: The Very Rev. Marcus Kaiser, the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Trostle, the Rev. Curtis Froisland, the Rev. Ben Jefferies, Mr. Lister Hubbard, Ms. Doris Cheshire, Mr. Charlie Stambaugh.
The Secretary of Synod
Synod elects a Secretary for a term of two years. The Secretary takes the minutes of the proceedings, and once approved, enters them into a journal, preserves the journal and records, attests the public acts of the body and faithfully delivers into the hands of successors all books and papers in his or her possession relating to the Synod.
Ms. Beth Kirby is the Secretary of Synod through the end of 2026.