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 Assistant 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
Deacon Dianne Larson
Dianne Larson grew up on a farm in Sacred Heart, Minnesota. She knew from childhood that she was called to help others. She studied nursing and worked as an RN for several years. Her dream to become a nurse practitioner came true when she completed and graduated in 1986 from Emory University’s Gyn/Ob Nurse Practitioner program. Dianne spent more than 20 years delivering healthcare to women
The ministry of presence is her passion. That became evident during the Chaplaincy training program (CPE) at Baptist Hospital. She took that “presence” into the streets of Jacksonville to be with the unhoused and started Communion on the Porch with one of the folks on the street. The porch on East 17th Street was the site of a weekly Deacon’s mass. Through this ministry she came to see more clearly that God wants to restore us and our relationships. In the turning to Him the restoration became evident in these people and their interactions, and the result was a community that was what the psalmist describes as: “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.”
Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina are other opportunities for “being present” with Christ. She leads a Lectio Divina group, which meets via Zoom each Thursday at 11:30am. In addition, she helped to start a monthly in person Lectio group at St. Philip Neri in Jacksonville. Please join us.
Dianne is married to Allen Poucher. They have one daughter, Dorothy, who lives in NYC. Dianne’s favorite pastime is sitting on the dock on Lake Goodrich, Minnesota, meditating and communing with the Loons, a sanctuary of peace, beauty, and God’s glory
She completed the Anglican Free Communion Diaconate program in October of 2019 and was ordained to the Diaconate by Archbishop Firestone on All Saints Day of that year. Deacon Dianne is excited to be a part of the St. Philip Neri community and serve the congregation and the diverse communities of Jacksonville.