On Sunday, October 6, Church of the Messiah will have will amazing opportunity to host the Patriarch of International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, Archbishop Craig W. Bates.

Archbishop Bates began his ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church where, in 1985, he was called to serve as the associate pastor of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in Malverne, New York.  Five years later, after the retirement of the senior pastor then-Fr. Bates was called to be the senior pastors–a position he has maintained ever since!  In 1994, Fr. Bates left the Episcopal Church and joined the fledgling Charismatic Episcopal Church.  The following year, St. Thomas Episcopal Church became a part of the CEC and changed their name to Church of the Intercessor.  On November 14, 1997, Craig Bates was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast.  Nine years later, on January 9, 2008, Bishop Bates was elected the second Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  While his official enthronement was not until the International Convocation that Summer in Orlando, Archbishop Bates’ election was effective immediately and the first church he visited after his election was Church of the Messiah.  There are many churches in the ICCEC who have never hosted the Patriarch.  Church of the Messiah is particularly blessed as this will be our second opportunity host the most senior bishop in our entire denomination.

In addition to pastoring the same church for over 25 years and all of his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Bates holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Franconia College, a Master’s Degree  in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College and  a Master of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary.  Archbishop Bates is extremely active in the New York metropolitan area as a voice for church unity, an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration, and a staunch defender of the pre-born in the Pro-Life movement.  He has been married to his wife for over 40 years and together they have three grown children and six grand-children: Jocelyn, Callie, Charlotte, Aaron, Devon, and Hunter.  Of course, there is a local family connection as well.  Archbishop Bates’ middle daughter Katie married Fr. Scott Melanson’s middle son Alan in December of 2002.

This is an incredible opportunity and blessing for Church of the Messiah and we are truly privileged to be able to host the Patriarch of our Communion a second time in six years.  Some churches have never had such an opportunity.  We are truly blessed.  For a preview of what you can expect from a teaching by Archbishop Bates, you may click HERE to go to “Bishop’s Best,” a collection of sermons from Church of the Intercessor.  Archbishop Bates will be preaching and celebrating at our regular 10:30am service on October 6 at the Sam R. Marks Chapel on the Campus of Jacksonville University.  For directions, click HERE or, for more information, contact the parish office directly at 904-721-4199.