New Leadership Appointed for Department of Missions and Evangelism
V. Rev. John D. Finley
V. Rev. Joseph HuneycuttAugust 9, 2016 — Englewood, NJ
His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph has appointed V. Rev. John D. Finley as the new chairman of the Department of Missions and Evangelism, as well as V. Rev. Joseph Huneycutt as the department’s new vice chairman. Both of these appointments take effect September 1 upon the retirement of the current chairman, V. Rev. Michael Keiser.
Father John is attached to the altar of St. Athanasius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Santa Barbara, California. Ordained to the priesthood in 1997, and elevated to the dignity of archpriest in 2004, he has been an active field staff member of the Department for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America since 1996, establishing and serving many missions and parishes across the United States and Canada.
Father John is married to Jan Finley, and is the father of three grown children and the proud grandfather of two.
“The Department of Missions and Evangelism is committed to helping our beloved Metropolitan Joseph fulfill his vision ‘to save souls’ by devoting our energies to strengthening existing parishes with resources designed to encourage good preaching, good singing, spiritual renewal, and effective outreach, while continuing to assist in the establishment and building up of new mission parishes,” Fr. John said.
Father Joseph has served as pastor of St. Joseph Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas since 2010. He has served in various capacities in other Archdiocesan parishes since his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood in 1994, especially in establishment of missions. In 2011, he was elevated to the dignity of archpriest.
Father Joseph has been married to Amy Elizabeth Byard since 1987. He is widely known as host of the podcast “Orthodixie: Homespun Wit and Wisdom from the Orthodox South” on Ancient Faith Radio.
The new chairman and vice chairman express their deep gratitude to Sayidna Joseph for his trust in them to lead Missions and Evangelism. They wish to acknowledge the historical contribution of the founding chairman of the Department, V. Rev. Peter E. Gillquist (1987-2011), who reposed in 2012, as well as the continued leadership of Fr. Michael, who served tirelessly in the Department for 21 years. They both established countless missions and parishes, leading a host of seekers into the communion of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Both Fr. John and Fr. Joseph humbly request your prayers to God for strength, courage and wisdom as they assume their new roles and responsibilities.