“Part of the job description, as I understand it, is to be the bearer of our identity as a faith-based organization and to articulate the value that comes from our both our Episcopal and wider Christian heritage.”

So says Fr. Andrew O’Connor, who joined Saint Francis Ministries in May as the nonprofit child and family services’ new executive officer of mission and ministry. Raised in Glendale, California, near Los Angeles, by a Roman Catholic father and an Episcopal mother, Andrew discovered a long time ago that he was called to serve. But it wasn’t until Boston College that he began to discern a vocation.

“It a good place to first encounter my sense of calling,” he said. “I started thinking, 'what if I’m supposed to be a priest?'” So, at the end of his senior year, Andrew applied for ordination in his home diocese of Los Angeles, where he served as a priest before accepting a call to become rector at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wichita.

“After 13 years there, my family and I have become rooted in Kansas,” he says.

Then last fall, he heard of a job posting by Saint Francis Ministries.

“I had no idea, really, what the position was about,” he said. “I was aware of Saint Francis because Good Shepherd had participated in “Christmas for Kids” as an outreach project. So, I held it in high regard.”

He applied, was hired, and since then he’s been busy crafting ministry to that supports the people of Saint Francis and the children and families they serve.

He sees his role as three-fold: 1) provide pastoral presence on the executive leadership team and across the organization, 2) build and expand relationships within the Episcopal Church and with church partners in other denominations; and 3) work with those and other partners who want to put faith into action by funding SFM programs and services.

“In many ways, I feel like I’m coming back to the place where my vocation started. Parish ministry is all about care of souls. It’s meeting people as beloved children of God, wherever they are on their journey, and expressing the gladness you have for being part of their lives.”

Fr. Andrew loves sharing the mission and story of Saint Francis Ministries with churches and organizations. To contact him or to extend an invitation to visit, simply send him an email by clicking here.