Meet the Candidates

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

I am happy to announce that The Rev. Alex Farmer and The Rev. John Wallace are candidates for the office of bishop in the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. After a lengthy and careful search process, the Bishop Nominating Committee has approved both candidates for inclusion on the slate at the Electing Synod on May 14, 2022.

I cannot thank the members of the Bishop Nominating Committee enough for the immense amount of work they have done these past 10 months. They have been diligent, insightful, and deeply prayerful throughout this search. We had a strong and large pool of 19 nominees. The Bishop Nominating Committee carefully discerned alongside these 19 nominees over the course of 6 months to arrive at the candidates presented. This process included extensive and thorough vetting and background checks. Some days I feel like I know more about these two candidates than I do my own family! But more importantly, we feel as a committee that we have heard from the Lord. God willing, one of these men will be our next bishop. You can learn more about both candidates by clicking the buttons above. All delegates will also have a chance to interact with the candidates at the diocesan walkabouts.

Over the next 60 days leading up to the election, I am asking you to join me in three practices.

Practice prayer, not politics.

Although we are electing a bishop, the process is intended to be prayerful not political. There will be no campaigning by the candidates. I would ask the same of you. Join me in adding Fr. Alex and Fr. John to your daily prayer list over the next 60 days. Earnestly pray for them and pray for the election on May 14, 2022.

Practice fasting, not fretting.

Any time there is a transition it can trigger anxiety. But Christians are called to turn away from fretting and towards trusting (Philippians 4:6–7). During the season of Lent, we are called to fast as a sign that our trust is in the Lord alone. I want to invite you to fast on Fridays as a reminder to trust the Lord throughout this process. It is also a great way to focus our prayers together.

Practice discerning, not deciding.

We are called to discern God’s will not just make a decision. I have come to know these men very well over the past six months. Yet I have not decided who I will vote for on May 14. I am convinced that either one will make an excellent bishop. Take the next 60 days to carefully discern who God is calling to lead us. The decision is God’s; it is for us to discern his “good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

I have returned again and again to the verse given to us by Bishop Neil Lebhar: “I thank God in my prayers for all of you, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) God has begun a good work in us. May he carry it to completion.

In Christ,
David+
The Rev. David Trautman
Chair, Bishop Nominating Committee

Bishop Nominating Committee Members
The Rev. Dr. Travis Boline
The Rev. Canon Dr. Jessica Jones
The Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Petty
The Rev. Gabe Holloway
Dr. Sam Ashoo
Heather Allert
Kaiti Kirby (Youth)
Mark Wilkerson
Melanie Johnson (Administrative Support)

Members of the Bishop Nominating Committee. Back row, L to R: Heather Allert, the Rev. David Trautman, Gabe Holloway, the Rev. Canon Dr. Jessica Jones, the Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Petty. Front row, L to R: Dr. Sam Ashoo, Kaiti Kirby, Mark Wilkerson, and the Rev. Dr. Travis Boline.