Our Pastoral Staff

Right Reverend John L. Oliver M.Div, Ph.D., Pastor

John Oliver is a native Floridian.  He grew up in Green Cove Springs.  He is the oldest boy in a family of eight children.

John was ordained in 1982, having earned a Masters’ degree in Divinity and specializing in Biblical studies.  John also holds a Masters’ in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Psychology, with a specialty in sexuality and couples’ communication.

Bishop John Oliver is Pastor of St. Philip Neri Ecumenical Church.  Bishop John taught Psychology. Marriage and Family, and Religion at Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) for 24 years.  He currently teaches Human Sexuality, Psychology, Counseling, and other courses at the University of North Florida (UNF).  He is in demand as a speaker and spiritual director.  Bishop John offers retreats,  seminars, and workshops to assist those seeking to grow in their relationships.

He is currently working on a number of books on spirituality, faith, the Gospels, and life.

Bishop John is married to Kathryn, and they have twin boys, Noah and Tobin.

On November 2, 2019 he was consecrated a bishop in the Anglican Free Communion International. He will pastor the Diocese of Jacksonville and St. Philip Neri Church. He has been elected Provincial of the Southeast Province.

As bishop, John is committed to the ecumenical truth that God shows no partiality.  All are God’s children and are welcome to share life with God and God’s church.  Issues of justice and equality remain central to his calling.

Since God will redeem all creation, all creatures are welcome to celebrate the goodness of God with us.  Bring a pet to church is fine with us!

Father Bob Bevans-Kerr Associate Pastor

Bob Bevans-Kerr is a native Floridian. He grew up in Green Cove Springs. He is the oldest boy in a family of six children.

Bob was ordained in 1984, having earned a BA from St. Meinrad College in Indiana and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) (equivalent to a Masters’ degree in Divinity) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.  Bob also studied moral theology for two years at the Alphonsian Academy, Rome, Italy.

Bob has worked as a priest, counselor and director in alternative education, and as a Catholic youth minister. He has worked in the corporate world in sales and as a market analyst and regional operations manager. For the past 14 years Bob, and his wife Janece, have built an association management business supporting five non-profit scientific associations that focus on food and environmental safety.  Bob has a unique perspective on living a spiritual life in a demanding world.

Bob and Janece have two boys, Nathan and Samuel, and two girls, Erin and Katherine. They also have 4 grandkids, Adelaide, Eleanor, Wesley, and Isla.  They are proud of their son in-laws, Brian and Robbie.

As a priest, Bob sees each person as a reflection and presence of God, each seeking to grow in our holiness and spirituality. A true measure of spiritual growth is how we grow in our love and concern for others. Bob looks forward to sharing his faith experience and coming to know and love the people of St. Philip Neri as he joins the community as Associate Pastor.

May our love for each other, and all our sisters and brothers, be grounded in the presence and encounter of Jesus.

Deacon Marge Townsend– Associate Pastor

Marge Townsend was born in Brooklyn, New York and has lived in Jacksonville for forty-two years.  She is an only child.  
 
She is married to Joseph Charles Townsend and they have six children (Chuck’s two sons are deceased).  Marge has four daughters,  Denise, Dianne, Margaret and Nicole.  Together Chuck and Marge have six Grandchildren and five Great Grandchildren.
 
Marge is Associate Pastor at St. Philip Neri Ecumenical Church.  Marge has a Bachelors in Biblical Studies.   She is a Certified Spiritual Director having graduated from Audire, a three year Spiritual Formation Program at San Pedro Retreat Center, Winter Park, FL.  She is a Certified Healing Prayer Minister having graduated from Christian Healing Ministry School of Prayer.   As Administrative Assistant at Maywood Retreat Center, St. Johns Florida, she facilitated retreats, days of prayer, and Communion Services.  Marge has served in many ministries including Search Retreats, Faith and Sharing Retreats, Cursillo and as Volunteer Chaplain through Community Hospice of NE FL, and as Healing Prayer Minister at the Christian Healing Ministry Campus.
 
On October 4, 2020 Marge was ordained a Deacon in the Anglican Free Communion International in St. Philip Neri Ecumenical Church. 
 
Marge is dedicated to the power of healing prayer and her Pastor, Bishop John Oliver, encouraged her to bring that ministry to St. Philip Neri Church where we have a very active healing prayer ministry.  
 
Marge recognizes and lives by the importance of the only one truth that exists which is given only and always everywhere by God, that WE
are all Beloved Children of God and One Family, God’s Family.