Candidate for Bishop

Rector

St. Philip's Episcopal Church

New York, New York

I am excited to be in this process as you, the people of South Carolina, discern the call of your next bishop. It is my hope and prayer that you hear the voice of God as you seek the next shepherd of the diocese. I am blessed to be among your candidates.

I presently serve as the Rector of the historic St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem, NY. Before accepting this call, I served as Rector of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Hollis, NY, in the Diocese of Long Island. In that parish, I was responsible for growing St. Gabriel’s spiritually, numerically, and financially. Due to my passion for the church, ability to inspire, nurture and positively impact parishes, I was asked to serve as Priest-in-Charge of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Springfield Gardens, NY.  For a time, I served this parish in addition to serving at St. Gabriel’s, simultaneously. 

I believe in the church’s wider mission and am a Canon in the Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Wiawso, Ghana, West Africa. Prior to New York, I served as Canon Pastor of The Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Bennettsville, South Carolina.  With an awareness of the broader church community, I have a love and passion for liturgy, worship, and serving God’s people.  

I attended Nashotah House Seminary where I assisted as a Chapel Scholar. This helped to shape my perspective on the priesthood and leadership. It was there that I developed a Rule of Life of prayer, study, work, and worship.  I have special gifts and skills for ministry in preaching, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, church administration, church growth, community involvement, and conflict resolution.  

My early career was in education. I was an elementary school teacher in Dorchester District 2. There I taught Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. I am devoted to fostering Black male leadership and was a mentor for Black youth.  

While in my first parish, I served as Chaplain for the Bennettsville, Police Department and the Rotary Club International. Additionally, I served as Chaplain for the Order of the Daughters of the King for the Diocese of South Carolina. More recently, I served as Vice President of the Board of Camp DeWolfe, the Diocese of Long Island’s diocesan camp and conference retreat center, where I was tasked to help transform camp fundraising and participation. I am currently Chaplain of the Alpha Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

As a proud Charlestonian, I am a graduate of the College of Charleston where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a certification in Early Childhood Education. Some of my favorite past-times include traveling, reading, cooking, and golfing. I am married to The Reverend Violet L. Dease Lee, Ph.D., Executive Program Minister of Christ Church, United Methodist of NY. Together, we are the proud parents of two beautiful children, Gabrielle Alexandria and Noah Baxter.