“Multicultural. Reaching out to serve. Meeting Human Needs.” These are some of the values prioritised by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in its ministry. They are evident in a variety of church and community programmes visited by the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, the Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion this week.

Hosted by the Rt Revd Andy Doyle, the Bishop of Texas, the Secretary-General has been in Houston to spend time with church leaders and church planters and learn more about the ministry of a diocese which spans 70,000 miles, has 175 congregations and serves around 77,000 parishioners.

It is an innovative and forward-thinking diocese and has just completed a strategic visioning and planning initative that looks ahead to 2035 called Faith in the Future. Its purpose is to help church leaders anticipate and prepare for major external forces that will affect their communities over the next decade.

The diocese is deeply committed to church planting and growth, and are creating missional communities that are responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.

Reaching Diverse Communities

One of the major priorities for the Diocese of Texas is creating inclusive churches where immigrant communities belong. On June 10, accompanied by the Rt Revd Hector Monterroso,  the Secretary-General visited St Paul’s Episcopal Church/Iglesia Episcopal San Pablo and St. Peter's/San Pedro Episcopal Church. Both churches have developed diverse ministries amongst Anglo and Hispanic communities.

The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso was born in Guatemala, served as bishop of Costa Rica for 14 years and became a bishop assistant in the Diocese of Texas in 2017. Touring the churches, Bishop Hector talked to the Secretary-General about the need for inclusive ministry in the State of Texas, which is one of the most diverse states in the United States.

In Houston alone, about 880,000 Hispanic residents have moved to Houston in the past 14 years. It is the most diverse of any city in Texas. More than 3 million Houston residents now identify as Hispanic, and this number is expected to grow to 3.4 million in the next five years. 

However, with a new political administration in power in the US, and changing policies on immigration, both church teams at St Paul’s and St Peter’s spoke to the Secretary-General about rising tension and fear in community life.

Since President Trump took office for a second term, a mass deportation campaign has been affecting thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers in the US.

In the week of the Secretary General’s visit, there are protests in LA against the Trump administration and ICE. The Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Rt Rev Sean Rowe, has also issued a letter addressing the travel ban recently announced by the government, preventing travel to the US from several nations, the anti-immigration enforcement and the military deployments.

St Paul’s Episcopal Church / Iglesia Episcopal San Pablo

At St Paul’s Church in South East Houston, the Secretary-General met with members of the Church team, including Reverendo Misael Pacheco Guevara (Curate), Irene Aguirre González (Office Administrator), Yeni Cabrera (Senior Warden), Julio Olvera (Junior Warden) and Ana Olvera.

The church was founded in 1923, and has always pursued a vision to build community and connections in the surrounding neighbourhoods. In 1993, its first Spanish service was added to the already existing English service. Since that time, the church has developed more provision for Hispanic communities, especially given rising migration, which bishop Hector describes as ‘waves of people’ being sent to the church.

Reverendo Misael, the Curate explains that St Paul's runs services in both languages, catering for up to 135 people from the Hispanic communities.  They are also committed to a principle of ‘Immigration with Dignity' and provide a range of social programmes and practical support, focused on building a sense of belonging.

The Project also runs a huge project to support homeless communities in the area, which includes a food programme which provides hot meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a foodbank on Wednesdays.

St. Peter's/San Pedro Episcopal Church

St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Houston, is based on a site near two schools and surrounded by playing fields. The Priest is the Rev Pedro N Lopez. He welcomed the Secretary-General and described the diverse ministry that’s developed over the years in response to rising immigration. There is a strong commitment to children, young people and families, with young people making up 50% of the congregation on Sundays. The church runs a variety of arts and sports programmes and their volunteer ‘navigator’ teams deliver a drop in service providing community advice and support.

On the visit, the Secretary-General met a muralist who is in the early stages of painting a mural on the walls of the community centre. Starting with blue sky and clouds – he will be adding layers, scenes and textures in the weeks ahead. It seems to symbolise how the church has steadily taken shape over the years. From a creative ministry programme, to the gradual transformation of many of the buildings and facilities, Rev Pedro has a long-term vision focused on empowering the local people to build their church together.

Meetings with a South Sudanese fellowship and a visit to St John the Divine

The Secretary-General met for a meal with a South Sudanese fellowship in Houston, called St Philip the Evangelist. The Secretary-General is originally from South Sudan, so brought encouragement to the church leaders, prayed for their ministry, and offered counsel to them on how to connect with issues impacting communities in South Sudan.

The Secretary-General also visited the Episcopal Church St John the Divine, who run a diverse ministry programme. Hosted by the Associate Rector Reverend Trent Pettit, he met with church and community workers. He also spent time with the Most Revd Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the former Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, who has since been serving as Bishop In Residence at St John the Divine.

Earlier in the week, the Secretary-General visited the Episcopal Church of St Martin's, where he preached for Pentecost Sunday.

On the concluding day of his programme, the Secretary-General met with Church Rectors and Church Planters in Houston. Discussions demonstrated the creativity and responsiveness of Church planting teams in reaching out to their communities.  He also met with members of the Compass Rose Society, who provide valued support the work of the Anglican Communion Office.  

Speaking of his time in the Diocese of Texas, the Secretary-General said: “It has been good to visit these thriving parishes. It's so encouraging to see how the local church is engaging with their communities and providing services to the marginalised. I am mindful that my visit is taking place in the wake of tensions in LA about mass deportations. Having been a refugee myself, I feel for those are living in fear. I am grateful to The Episcopal Church for all they are doing to minister to diverse communities and their deep commitment to church growth. I will continue to pray for the Rt Revd Andy Doyle, and all the clergy and laity in this diocese." 

The Rt Revd Andy Doyle said: "It has been wonderful to welcome the Secretary-General to the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. He has brought encouragement to our church leaders and community workers and affirmed how valued they are in the global Anglican Communion. In the last year, our diocese has confirmed 800 people and baptised 1000. We celebrate the growth of our church and give thanks for the dedication of our clergy, who faithfully reach out to serve. We will continue to pray for the mission of the Anglican Communion around the globe, as we work together to share the hope of the Gospel."

For more information

Read about the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Read about the Secretary-General's visit to the Episcopal Church of St Martin's on Pentecost Sunday.