LATINO/ HISPANIC MINISTRIES
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The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Assistant Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Assistant Bishop
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A native of Texas and a graduate of Yale, the University of Texas School of Law and Fuller Theological Seminary, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson’s early career was spent in the practice of commercial financial law. She was ordained in 2009. Following her ordination, she served first for two years as assistant rector at St. Stephen’s in Wimberley, Texas, and then as vicar of Saint Elizabeth in Buda, Texas, until her consecration as bishop suffragan of the Diocese of West Texas in 2017. Throughout her ordained career, Brooke-Davidson’s focus has been on congregational development, evangelism and formation, with a particular passion for developing adaptive leadership capacity in ordained and lay leaders.
Immediately prior to joining the Diocese of North Carolina as the assistant bishop on November 1, 2022, Brooke-Davidson served as the assistant bishop in the Diocese of Virginia, a position she held from 2019 until 2022. She is no stranger to transition, as part of her role there was working alongside the Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, bishop suffragan and the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese of Virginia until the consecration of the Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, who was elected the 14th bishop diocesan ion June 2022. As assistant bishop, Brooke-Davidson served in a full range of capacities, including Sunday and other visitations; oversight of the diocesan regional structures, including the deans; oversight of the Committee for Congregational Mission; support of persons in the ordination process; congregational development; conflict transformation; and work with other diocesan committees and commissions.
In her role as assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, Brooke-Davidson focuses on Christian formation, church redevelopment and leadership training.
Brooke-Davidson is joined in North Carolina by her husband, Carrick, an environmental attorney and sports enthusiast. They have two grown daughters, Emma and Kate.
RESOURCES FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT
LATINO/HISPANIC MINISTRIES IN THE DIOCESE
The Latino/Hispanic Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina are an essential ministry to live in our Mission Strategy Plan. This ministry has grown over the years and has been supported by the diocese with resources in every level; at the same time this ministry helps to embrace the diverse tapestry in our church and to stand for a more equitable society by justice and love
LATINO/HISPANIC CONGREGATIONS IN OUR DIOCESE
Holy Innocents, Henderson
Santos Inocentes is the Spanish-speaking community of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Henderson. The community held its first service on All Saints’ Day in 2001. At that time, the rector noticed an increase in migrant farmworkers in the area and felt called to create a church space for them to connect with their faith. Since then, the community has worshipped most Sunday afternoons, led by Holy Innocents’ clergy and deeply committed Latino lay leaders who value community, hospitality and God’s liberating love for all people.
In 2024, the Rev. Liam Barr was hired to work alongside the Rev. Robert Beauchamp, rector of Holy Innocents, its vestry and the Latino lay leaders to directly support and grow the Santos Inocentes community. The Rev. Liam is the first fully bilingual priest to serve the Latino congregation of Holy Innocents. Since 2024, the community has expanded its programming and liturgical celebrations and continues to welcome new members. On an average Sunday, Santos Inocentes welcomes about 30 people, with over 90 attending on high feast days. The Latino community remains a vital and growing part of Holy Innocents’ congregation.
El Buen Pastor, Durham
El Buen Pastor is a Latino congregation that began as outreach ministry on June 6, 1993. It started as a bilingual community, while St. Andrew’s was still meeting there.
The Centro Hispano was born there, and there were ESL classes and after school programs; there were as well some small business initiatives and a program for women’s health issues.
Was there when in May 22, 1996, the Episcopal Hispanic Farmworker started as a ministry of North Carolina Diocese under Bishop Bill Folwell.
Nowadays, the congregation has an ASA of 170 during a regular Sunday, but during the big celebrations during the liturgical calendar, there can be up to 500 people.
Christ’s Beloved Community, Winston-Salem
CBC is a bi-denominational Latino congregation that started in 2016 with the Rev. Chantal Morales. It partners with the ELCA and values discipleship and mission outside a church building as key components to creating, growing and sustaining our faith community.
This community started as a bilingual community and later became more Spanish-speaking. The Rev. Javier Arias has done an excellent job raising leaders and bringing more members into the community.
Nowadays, the congregation has an ASA of 150 on a regular Sunday, but during the big celebrations of the liturgical calendar, there can be up to 500 people.
La Guadalupana, Wilson
La Guadalupana was founded in 1993 by Father Felipe (the Rev. Phil Byrum). Previously, there were no Spanish services that followed the Catholic traditions of Latin American churches. Father Felipe, not speaking Spanish and unaware of our traditions, decided to learn to serve the Latino community, immigrating to Wilson.
Then, in 2021, Father Daniel Pinell was elected as the new vicar of our church.
La Guadalupana has many ministries, including a food bank, scholarships, Alcoholics Anonymous, after-school programs and more. They also hold large celebrations, such as those dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe and Saint Jude Thaddeus. They also hold Bible studies and masses on the first Thursdays of the month.
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