Michael Atkins

St. Paul’s, Kilgore, TX

When St. Paul’s Kilgore, went to mission status, 15 years ago, if I recall correctly, Sundays, were lay led Morning Prayer. That was OK by me, because the church of my youth was a “Low Church” that only offered the Eucharist once a month. The problem here, as I saw it, was that the same person was officiating all the time, and had very little relief. He is also, not much younger than I. He is also the Verger, and Sexton and Jr. Warden. Too much for one person to do all the time.  No one else was “stepping up to the plate”.

I’ve attended both St. Paul’s in Kilgore, and Trinity Episcopal in nearby Longview since moving here for a better job in 1988. Recently I made the decision to enroll in the Iona School’s Lay Preacher certification program in order that I may preach in my home church, with credibility and sponsorship, so that I could assist the person who was the only worship leader the church had, who was understandable, consistent, and wanted to do it as a contribution to the health of his church. Now, with the assistance of the Iona School and its administration, faculty, and staff, I will be in the circumstance to help my church. Amen to that! 

Paul Burgess

St. Michael’s and All Angels, Lake Charles, LA

Paul Burgess was born in Bolton, England, where he developed a love for sport from an early age. He attended Wigan College, graduating in sports science, and competed in track and field at a national level. Through his love of travel, Paul’s journey eventually led him to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he has lived for over 20 years, and was a member of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church.

Throughout his life, Paul has always worked with young people through coaching and mentorship, serving for many years as Executive Director of Calcasieu Soccer Club, youth director, and Canterbury Chaplain in the Episcopal Church. He is the founder of SOZO Coaching, a holistic youth development program focused on physical, mental, and spiritual fitness, and is the author of YOU Are More Than… A Soccer Player.

As a deacon, Paul seeks to live a faithful life of trust, surrender and openness to God’s leading. He desires to serve others and to experience the depth of God’s grace and love alongside them. Paul is extremely grateful to be supported by his loving parents, sisters, and fiancée Renata.

Maria De Jesus Hernandez

San Esteban, Cleveland, TX

Maria de Jesus nacio en Chiapas, pero crecio en el estado de Veracruz, actualmente vive en Cleveland Texas, se graduó de la secundaria, trabajo en un centro comunitario siendo Doula.

En el 2024 llego a la iglesia Episcopal, es madre de dos hermosos hijos.
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Desde que llegue a la iglesia Episcopal supe que había encontrado mi hogar Espiritual, donde somos una familia en Cristo, ha sido un proceso reencontrarme con Dios, sirvo en varios ministerios de la Iglesia y quiero seguir sirviendo y predicando a Jesucristo, para que mas personas sean alcanzadas.

Fernanda Cañizares

San Pedro, Pasadena, TX 

Originaria de México, Fernanda Cañizares ha forjado una trayectoria marcada por una profunda vocación humanitaria. Se graduó como Técnica en Computación. Su espíritu de servicio la llevo a ser parte del Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios y la Cruz Roja, donde aprendió el valor de la resiliencia y la ayuda al prójimo en momentos críticos.

Esa misma pasión por el bienestar social la define en su faceta profesional actual. Como Coordinadora Asistente en North Pasadena Community Outreach. También forma parte del comité ejecutivo de Caminando Con Cristo grupo de discipulado a nivel Diocesano.
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En el ámbito personal, su motor y mayor orgullo son sus tres hijas, en quienes vuelca sus valores y enseñanzas. Su vida está profundamente arraigada en su fe; como laica activa en su ig.

Nelson Flores

St. Andrew’s, Pearland, TX

Born in Manila on March 13, 1965, Nelson Flores is a journalist, media-consultant, community organizer. He graduated Class of 1992 from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, the Philippines with a BA in Journalism degree. He would later complete a Doctorate in Law from Adamson University.

Previously ordained as a priest of the Philippine Independent Catholic Church (Aglipay), he is a postulant for the priesthood at the Episcopal Church USA. He is also certified video remote interpreter and fluent in both English and Tagalog.

Nelson resides in Houston, TX with his wife, Corazon, and two dogs, Haru and Shasha.

Elisbelda Gomez

San Esteban, Cleveland, TX

Eli nació en Morelos, Mexico. Siendo muy joven, emigro a los Estados Unidos. Estudió en Lone Star College y obtuvo un certificado en Communication Skills ; posteriormente estudió en Fuller Theological Seminary donde obtuvo un certificado en Business of Ministry. Eli está certificada por Living Compas y Safeguardin Trainer. Actualmente sirve en su iglesia dirigiendo el ministerio de jóvenes y  un programa de danza folklórica para la comunidad.
 
En el 2014  llegó a la Iglesia Episcopal, en donde fue confirmada  y ha servido en diferentes posiciones. Actualmente está casada con el plantador de la iglesia, William, y ha acompañado a su esposo en la fundación de la Iglesia San Esteban.

Francisco Gonzá​lez

Esperanza Church Plant, Houston, TX

Francisco nació en México y emigró a los Estados Unidos a la edad de 17 años. Con esfuerzo y perseverancia, completó sus estudios de GED en una escuela nocturna.
 
En 1995 contrajo matrimonio y es padre de dos hijos, Larisa y Ulices. Durante 29 años trabajó en una planta de fabricación de productos de poliuretano en el departamento de control de inventario. Paralelamente, se desempeñó durante 11 años como “disc jockey” los fines de semana, amenizando eventos como bodas y quinceañeras.
 
En el año 2006 llegó a la Iglesia Episcopal, donde ha servido fielmente en distintos ministerios, experimentando un profundo crecimiento espiritual y un encuentro más cercano con Dios.
 
Desde 1990 reside en Houston, Texas, y actualmente trabaja como electromecánico automotriz. A través de su caminar de fe, Francisco ha llegado a la convicción de que Dios lo llama al ministerio de la predicación. Con un corazón dispuesto, desea servir llevando el mensaje de amor, esperanza y salvación a todas las personas que lo necesiten.

Paula Harvey

St. Aidan's, Cypress, TX 

Paula was born in Conway, AR and raised in Stillwater, OK by loving parents who chose the Episcopal church when they were married to raise their children. Her late parents were both educators at Oklahoma State and then later her father retired as the City Planner of Fort Worth and mother as the Head of Reference at the University of Dallas. She has a younger brother, Harlan, who lives in McKinney.

Paula has her BBA in International Business and Operations Management with minors in Finance, Germanic languages and Spanish from UT Austin. She has earned her MBA from UNC Charlotte with a concentration in Human Resources. She works at Schulte Building Systems in Hockley, TX as their VP of Human Resources and Safety. She is married to her wonderful husband of 24 years, Kenneth Harvey, who is now retired. She has 34-year-old twins, Alexandra and Andrew, from her first marriage, who are both recently married. She also has three stepchildren, Robin, Ryan and Ross, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
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She was always very involved at church serving as an acolyte, EYC president, lector, LEM, high school Sunday school teacher, and altar guild. Like her mother before her, she has been a member of the DOK since 2017. During the worst of Covid, she finally answered her calling to ordained ministry after having denied it most of her life.  She has volunteered most of her life with several non-profits including the American Red Cross, SHRM, American Heart Association, and Girls Scouts. Her goal is help bring people closer to God through working in the community.

Aliimau Susie Higgins-Rodriguez

Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas, TX

Just call her Susie, born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Samoan mother and a Marine from Texas.  Her parents met while dad was stationed in Hawaii.  They married 3 months later, and Susie was born 9 months after that.  Shortly after she was born, dad was shipped out to Okinawa.  Susie with her mom were sent to Texas to live with dad’s parents in Dallas while he was overseas.  Susie grew up in Dallas then went off to North Texas State University, now known as the University of North Texas to study music and earned a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences.

Susie grew up in the Disciples of Christ Church serving as an acolyte until she grew out of the surplus, then began singing in the church choir at 15.  In high school she became a Youth Exec in the Dallas Area taking part in the planning summer camp, mid-winter retreat and other youth activities for the area church.  After graduating from North Texas, she married her college sweetheart and began working as a photo technician.  His work would take them to Connecticut and Florida.  After 10 years of marriage, that relationship ended in divorce.  Susie would work in several industries before settling in real estate as an Escrow Officer for the last 25 years.
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In 2000, Susie moved back to Dallas and began dating someone she had known since Jr. High School.  That summer she had found the love of her life, Juan Rodriguez.  J. was cradle Catholic and Susie being a Protestant, they wanted to find a church where they could worship together.  They began attending the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Matthew’s in Dallas.  In 2001, Susie was confirmed and they married in September of 2002.  They sang together in the choir and in 2011, Susie began her discernment to the deaconate.  After moving to the Church of the Transfiguration in 2021, accommodation was made to have me start at Iona School of Ministry in 2023 on the Deacon track.  It’s been a long road and along the way J died when the house caught fire but Susie persisted and will graduate with the class of 2026.  

​Alejandra Jimenez 

San Romero, Houston, TX

Nació el 3 de marzo de 1980 en Caracas, Venezuela. Creció en un entorno familiar con dificultades, pero fue profundamente influenciada por la fe de su abuela, quien le enseñó desde temprana edad a confiar en un Dios amoroso y fiel.

Es Licenciada en Educación, con una Maestría en Planificación Educativa obtenida en 2010, y un diplomado en Psicología Positiva obtenido en 2024. Trabajó por más de 20 años en el área educativa en Venezuela, desarrollándose como docente y formadora.

Durante su adolescencia se alejó de Dios debido a heridas emocionales y sentimientos de abandono. Aunque alcanzó logros académicos y profesionales, por muchos años experimentó un vacío espiritual y una falta de propósito.

​Se casó en 2013 y es madre de un hijo de 11 años, Andrés. Hace cinco años enviudó, experiencia que marcó profundamente su vida y su caminar espiritual.

​A los 32 años tuvo un acercamiento a la iglesia; sin embargo, no fue hasta hace dos años, al integrarse a la iglesia episcopal, que vivió una verdadera transformación espiritual. En el retiro Caminando con Cristo, tuvo un encuentro personal con el Espíritu Santo que trajo sanación, perdón y restauración.

En 2025 comenzó su formación en Iona School y se certificó en Living Compass, fortaleciendo su llamado al acompañamiento espiritual y bienestar integral.
Hoy reconoce a Jesucristo como su Señor y maestro. Su vida ha sido renovada por su amor, y su propósito es servir a los demás, ayudándoles a descubrir su valor y la obra de Dios en sus vidas.

Como expresa 1 Juan 4:16 (DHH):
“Dios es amor; y el que permanece en el amor, permanece en Dios, y Dios en él.”
Su oración es vivir guiada por ese amor y ser instrumento de esperanza para otros.

Jorge Jimé​nez

San Mateo, Houston, TX

Jorge nació el 23 de abril de 1969 en Huancayo, Perú. Realizó sus estudios en Economía en la Universidad Daniel Alcides Carrión, en Cerro de Pasco. A lo largo de su trayectoria profesional, se ha desempeñado en roles de liderazgo, destacando como Office Manager en Prestige Scrap Metal durante cinco años y como General Manager en Houston Car Buyers por tres años. Actualmente, se encuentra emprendiendo su propio negocio en la industria del reciclaje de metales y transporte reflejando su visión, determinación y espíritu emprendedor.

​Criado en una familia de fe evangélica, Jorge ha cultivado una vida espiritual sólida. Está casado desde hace más de 25 años con su esposa Patricia, con quien ha formado una familia basada en valores, siendo padre amoroso de Benjamin y David. Sirve activamente en su iglesia como maestro de discipulado y ministro en el altar, dedicándose con compromiso a la formación espiritual de otros. Hoy, al culminar su formación en la Escuela Iona para el ministerio, reafirma su llamado a servir con integridad, humildad y pasión en la obra de Dios.

William Llana

San Esteban, Cleveland TX

William was born in Lima, Peru. He studied at the National University of Central Peru, graduating with a degree in Communication Sciences. Subsequently, he attended the South American Biblical Seminary in Peru, where he earned a degree in Sacred Scripture and Theology. William came to the United States to study at the Houston Graduate School of Theology and, after graduating, began working as a church planter.

In his country, William has served as a pastor and missionary; currently, he serves in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas as a church planter in Cleveland, TX.

His experience in missions and evangelism has enabled him to establish a vibrant church that will soon construct its own building.
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Currently, William is a candidate for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Texas.

Ramon Mauricio Umana

Christ the King, Houston, TX

Mauricio Umana was born in La Unión, El Salvador, where he began building the foundation for a life defined by dedication, faith, and service. He pursued studies in electrical engineering at the Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA), complementing his academic path with hands-on training by graduating from an electrician trade school. His passion for the field led him to teach at the same institution for two years, sharing his knowledge with future electricians.

In search of new opportunities, Mauricio and his wife Victoria moved to Houston, Texas, where they established a new life and grew their family. Together, they have two children, Michelle and Dennis, and a grandson, Sebastian. Over the past two decades, Mauricio has built a successful career as a master electrician, running his own company for more than 20 years and earning a reputation for skill, reliability, and leadership.

Mauricio’s spiritual journey has been equally significant. He joined the Episcopal Church in 1998, and since then, he and his family have been deeply committed to its community and mission. Embracing Episcopal theology, they found a powerful sense of belonging and purpose.

Throughout the years, Mauricio has actively served in various roles within the church. His contributions include leading the men’s group, directing the youth choir, and helping launch a new service of praise and prayer at his home parish. He has also served as Senior Warden and continues his leadership today as a board member of Episcopal Seniors Foundation. Mauricio Umana’s life reflects a deep commitment to family, faith, and community, marked by both professional achievement and meaningful service to others.

Dan Orfield

Holy Family, Houston, TX

Dan Orfield was born in New York, NY and moved to Houston, TX when he was 5 years old, spending his youth and high school years there.   Dan then received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his law degree from New York University School of Law.   After practicing labor and employment law in Washington, D.C. for 13 years, Dan and his wife, Janet, moved back to Houston in 2003, where they have remained since.  They have two children: Austin and Claire.
 
Dan was baptized in the Episcopal Church at the age of 31 and confirmed shortly thereafter.  Before coming to Iona, he studied theology and completed an independent study at Virginia Theological Seminary, which culminated in his thesis, "Law and Communion."  Dan's sending and home parish is Holy Family HTX Episcopal Church, where he uses his Lay Preaching, Lay Worship Leader, and Lay Missonal Developer certificates to serve in worship, Christian formation, preaching, and community service.  At Holy Family, led by Vicar and Iona teacher Jacob Breeze, Dan continually learns from the entire community the many ways he is a fool - at least occasionally, he hopes, for Christ.  

Rosalinda Rodriguez

St. John’s, Austin, TX

Rosalinda Rodriguez nació en Acapulco Guerrero México en 2020 ella estudiaba la carrera de Psicología en su natal México se casó y se mudo a Austin, Texas  en ese mismo año, con su esposo Carlos ellos son episcopales desde hace 16 años. Rosalinda tiene 1 hija Daphne y un hijo Henry, ella trabaja en Mcdonalds desde hace 23 años ha hecho un curso de negocios y liderazgo en la Universidad de la Hamburguesa en Chicago. Ella llego ala escuela IONA para predicadores después de trabajar en su comunidad con empatía especialmente en tiempo de pandemia. Rosalinda es la segunda de 4 hermanos,es alegre cree que lo que te mueve en la vida es la actitud con lo que recibes lo que Dios te regala.

Arturo Soto

San Esteban, Cleveland, TX

Arturo nació en CD Valles San Luis Potosí, el 21 de Agosto 1976, primero su mamá le hizo  los sacramentos en la iglesia católica Romana, después de un tiempo su madre se convirtió a la iglesia Evangélica y alli creció en es se ambiente evangélico, sus estudios fueron hasta la preparatoria y emigró hacia los Estados Unidos a los 22 años, alli se acercó a una iglesia evangélica poco tiempo, se caso con Rosa A Salazar y formaron una familia de 2 hijos, Jose A Soto y Alondra Soto a estado trabajando en diferentes cosas primero en restaurantes y hace aproximadamente 20 años se ha dedicado a la carpintería y tapicería de muebles, Arturo conoció la iglesia Episcopal San Estevan, entre el año 2022 y el 2023 sirve como lector y pertenece al comité de la iglesia