Anglican
Chaplains®
About us
The Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy® (JAFC) provides for the endorsement and care of chaplains under the oversight of the Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy who serve in U.S. military, other federal and local government, hospital and hospice, law enforcement and other vocational and volunteer chaplaincies. The JAFC is the canonical residence and licensing agency for professional chaplains with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), and other participating Anglican bodies.
The primary purpose of the JAFC is to screen, endorse and support those discerned by the church to be called by God to service as chaplains – both lay and ordained – to include: Anglican clergy of the ACNA; those in the process towards ordination in the ACNA ; Anglican Christians sensing a call to a particular chaplaincy; those already serving as non-Anglican chaplains (Protestant, Roman Catholic or Orthodox clergy), but who are in the process of being drawn to the Anglican Christian tradition.
Except in unique cases, the JAFC looks to the geographical diocese and local parish to lead the process of discernment of those who the Lord may be calling to serve as chaplains, to include discernment towards diaconal and priestly ordination for those chaplaincies requiring the sacramental ministries of the church. For those whose sense of call carries with it the draw towards chaplaincy, we join with the diocese and local parish as a part of their discernment process, providing chaplaincy-related objectives, questions and dialogue through appropriate channels and receiving progress reports from the priest-in-charge and discernment committee via their designated point of contact.
Learn about our Heraldry The primary colors are Red, White and Blue to remind us of our nation's colors. The Alpha and Omega letters, the appellation of Christ from Revelation and in the outer band of the crest, is to remind Chaplains that everything we do is encompassed by the creator of the universe and author of our salvation. The shield of St. George reminds us of our relationship to our Anglican Communion. The Red and White cross hash background are the colors and related flag of St. Martin of Tours, who is regarded as the father of Chaplaincy. It is cut diagonally to remind us of him severing his cloak and giving half to the beggar. The red also represents the blood of Christ and the White our cleansing by the blood of Christ - the white being in the upper to remind us that the blood of Christ cleanses us as we move heavenward. The Crozier is indicative of our pastoral charge and responsibility to guard the flock. The Keys represent both the message of the Gospel - at the heart of what we do - and St. Peter - to remind us we are part of the historic Apostolic Church. Together, they covertly form the Chi-Rho symbol, one of the earliest known monograms representing Christ (first two letters of Christ in Greek) and this is all at the center of the crest reminding us that the ministry we do is centered in Christ. Using symbols (crozier and keys) to create the Chi-Rho symbol in a covert manner is purposeful. Too, there is a cross within the crozier hook that is flanked by a cross placed in each key to remind us of the crucifixion scene of our Lord. This covert symbolism is to remind us of the underground, secret, and persecuted church who cannot openly celebrate their love for Christ, and the Chaplains among us who are called upon to minister to them. The inner band around the center symbols is colored red to remind us of the blood of the martyrs - the seed of the church - now a cloud of witnesses. The Words "Ad Gloriam Dei" meaning "For the Glory of God" expresses to the onlooker the purpose, call, ministry and work of all Chaplains...
Our Bishops
The Right Reverend Derek LS Jones (center), Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy®, is a bishop serving the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Bishop Jones trains, educates, ordains and directs the activities of Anglican Chaplains, within the ACNA requiring formal ecclesiastical endorsement, serving in the United States Armed Forces, Veteran's Administration, Department of Justice, and other Federal and State agencies; as well as Chaplains serving with and through a variety of professional organizations such as the International Conference of Police Chaplains, the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, and the Professional Chaplains Association. Bishop Jones has served as an endorsing official since January 2007 and is the founding bishop of the Chaplain ministry for the ACNA and is the first Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy for the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy® (ACNA). Bishop Jones is the Chair Emeritus of the National Conference Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) and currently serves as Executive Director Of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. He and his wife, Connie, make their home in Alabama. Read more about our Bishop Ordinary here.
The Right Reverend Michael R. Williams (right) serves as a Suffragan Bishop for the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy®, Anglican Church in North America, under the leadership of the Bishop of the Special Jurisdiction, The Rt. Rev. Derek LS Jones. He also serves as Director of Education, Training, and Formation (ETF), providing for the ongoing Anglican Christian formation and continuing education needs of the Jurisdiction.
Bishop Mark Nordstrom (left) serves as a Bishop Suffragan for the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy® where he oversees pastoral care, working with our Provost and Associate Deans to provide timely support to our chaplains and family members.
Our Staff
The Venerable Patrick Lowthian (USA)
Chief Administrative Officer -
Mrs. Lauren Ullman
The Venerable Will Harrison (USA)
Ms. Christiana Smith
The Rev. Canon Kenneth Gillespie (USA)
The Rev. Canon Andrew Hayler (USN)
Provost -
The Rev. Canon Dave Ward
The Venerable Andrew Brashier
The Venerable Job Serebrov
Canon for International Affairs -
The Rev. Canon Justin Murff
Canon for Governmental Affairs -
The Rev. Canon A.J. Nolte
The Very Rev. Norman Beale
The Rev. Canon Tim Trombitas
The Rev. Canon Julie Russell-Crunk
The Rev. Canon Erik Spicer
The Rev. J. Todd Renner
Canon to the Bishop Suffragan ETF -
The Rev. Canon Ryan Davis (USN)
Canon to the Bishop Suffragan Pastoral Care -
The Rev. Canon Stephen Linkous (Hospital/USAFR)
The Rev. Canon Marshall MacClellan (USAF)
Curate for Education, Formation, & Training -
The Rev. Canon Daniel Hardin (USA)
The Rev. Canon Diane Reece
Director of Administration & Finance -
Mrs. Tessa Davis
Administrative Assistant to the Bishop -
The Rev. Eric Yielding
Mrs. Ashley Clay
Our Executive Board
Chairman - Mr. David vanEsselstyn (USMC Retired)
David has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy® since the summer of 2017 and became chairman in 2020. A retired Marine Corps officer, David is a graduate of Monmouth College, Illinois with a degree in Government. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration from Averett University. Prior to becoming a member of the Executive Committee, David has been intimately involved in a new Anglican church plant in Richmond, VA in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic and has served on several church vestries as member, junior warden and senior warden. In addition, he has served as diocesan representative and a three-year term on the Standing Committee. David resides in Richmond, VA.
Executive Committee Chaplain- CAPT Michael VanHoosier (USN Retired)
Michael is the Executive Committee Chaplain of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy® and is a Commissioned Lay Chaplain in the Jurisdiction. Michael was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and earned a BS in Engineering Physics at the University of Colorado. He served in the US Navy with tours at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and aboard a destroyer with combat duty in Vietnam, then remained in the Navy Reserves. As a civilian at NRL, Michael dedicated 35 years to solar physics studies, developing solar ultraviolet instruments flown onboard Skylab, five Space Shuttle missions and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. Now retired, the VanHoosiers live in Richmond, VA.
- Dr. William (Bill) Crunk
Dr. Crunk is currently in private practice as a marriage and family counselor and rehabilitation forensic expert. His work in these fields has been at the local, regional, and national levels. Bill received his Master of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of South Carolina. He retired from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he was the coordinator of graduate counseling degree programs. During his tenure with the university, Bill was, for a number of years, Director for Training for the Southeastern Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center in the medical school. He also taught internationally in Israel and in the Ukraine. Bill has served on state, regional and national civic boards and was national trainer for the American Cancer Society. Bill along with his wife Julie established the Visions of Grace mission with a focus to serve the indigenous Indians in Guatemala.
- The Venerable Worth E. "Woody" Norman, Jr.
Father Woody is Archdeacon for Home Office Administration of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy®. He joined the JAFC in January 2017 and serves as an assisting priest at the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in Pelham, Alabama. He was appointed archdeacon by Bishop Derek Jones on July 9, 2017. Woody became a member of the Executive Committee in October 2017. He and his wife Patricia are publisher and editor-in-chief, respectively, of Archdeacon Books. They live in Hoover, Alabama.
- Col Randy Puhrmann, (USAF Retired)
Randy is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and served for 30 years in the Air Force. He served as an Admissions Liaison Officer to the United States Air Force Academy for fourteen years. He was the Operational Aviation Energy Advisor for the Middle East to the Secretary of the Air Force and is currently the Chairman of Senator Johnny Isakson's Military Academies Selection Panel. Randy is currently employed as a Captain with Delta Air Lines based in Atlanta and is a member of Buckhead Church in Atlanta GA where he volunteers.
- The Venerable David James Baker
The Venerable David James Baker is currently an Archdeacon in the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy® of the Anglican Church in North America. Following his ordination, Archdeacon Baker served at an Anglican Church in St. Augustine, FL, and a Chaplain at Flagler Hospital and Bailey Hospice Center, He serves his community as Chaplain, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Ancient City Chapter; Chaplain Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), St. Augustine Chapter; sitting on the Board of Directors for both organizations. After the Navy, he was engaged in computer-related enterprises as a corporate executive, holding positions of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Group Director of three corporations in the Washington, D.C. area, and one home-based in Toronto. Archdeacon Baker received his undergraduate education at Georgia Tech, with Bachelors Degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Industrial Management. He received his Masters Degree in Computer Systems Management at the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the Naval War College. He pursued further post graduate studies at Virginia Theological Seminary and Trinity School for Ministry.
- Mr. Bill Carroll
Bill Carroll recently retired from his full time career as a bank executive. He received a BS degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. He previously served on the Finance Committee for the Anglican Dioceses of the South, a delegate to the Provincial Assembly, and a member of the American Anglican Counsel. We welcome his military leadership skills as a veteran Army platoon leader, and his 20 years of ministry experience as a member of the Family Promise Ministry providing housing and food to homeless families. Bill and his wife Aline, worship at Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in Alabama where he also serves as the Senior Warden.
- Col Rich “Speedo” Hughey (USAF Retired)
Rich “Speedo” Hughey, USAF (retired) lives in Auburn, AL with Christine, his wife of 33 years. They have 3 children; Corey, Austin and Gary, and 2 grandsons; Flynn and Ronan. The Hughey’s currently attends Church of The Highlands in Auburn. Colonel Hughey is a multi-service combat fighter pilot having flown the F-5, F-14, F-16 and F-18, and accumulated over 100 hours in combat during Operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, and Enduring Freedom. He was qualified as an instructor pilot, adversary instructor, USN model manager, and a graduate of Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). Over a 34-year military career, Colonel Hughey commanded at the wing level and held numerous leadership positions in both the Alabama Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve. His last assignment before retiring was Director of Operations, AL ANG. Rich is a graduate of Auburn University with Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (1986) and Master’s degree in Business Administration (2006). Additionally, Rich attended Air War College, Air University at Maxwell AFB, AL where he received a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies (2007).
- Joseph M. Saloom, Esq.
Joseph M. Saloom, Esq. was born and raised in Enterprise, Alabama. He attended Birmingham-Southern College where he obtained a B.S. in chemistry. After attending graduate school in chemistry at Mississippi State University, he returned to Birmingham and worked for four (4) years as a toxicologist in a private clinical laboratory. After that he was employed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and served as a forensic scientist for 26 years with the State of Alabama, retiring in Montgomery in 2005. He attended Jones School of law school in 1997-99 (while still employed with the state) and was admitted to practice law in Alabama and the Federal Middle District of Alabama in 2000. After practicing law for 20 years, Joe retired and is now living in Auburn with his wife Meredith Birchfield. During his life, Joe has been a Rotarian (third generation) 36 years, been in three (3) different Rotary Clubs, and has served as a Club President, Assistant District Governor, and District Governor for District 6880. Joe has served on the board of directors for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chemical Addictions program in Montgomery, Camp A.S.C.C.A., and Ducks Unlimited. Joe is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary) and has served as Mission Pilot, Squadron Commander, Alabama Wing Legal Officer, Southeast Region Inspector General, and the AL Wing Legislative Liaison Officer. Joe was a cradle Episcopalian, and has served on the Vestries of three different Episcopal Churches, and one Anglican Church, three times as Senior Warden, and once as Junior Warden. He was licensed as a Lay Ecumenical Minister in 1985, and has exercised that position many times over the years. He currently attends St George Anglican Church in Auburn, Alabama, which is a new plant of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy Diocese. Joe's hobbies include flying, hunting, fishing, and shooting. Joe and Meredith love to travel in their airplane and between them, they have four children and four grandchildren.
- Maj Gen John B. Ellington, Jr. (USAF Retired)
Rev. Ellington is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of North America and the Convocation of Anglicans in North America. He has been in the ministry for more than forty years and served in the military chaplaincy for thirty two years. His last assignment was Director of the National Guard Chaplaincy. He was the senior chaplain and spiritual leader for the 405,000 guardsmen and their families. He held that position for seven years. Prior to that assignment he was chief of the Air National Guard (ANG) Chaplaincy for nine years. He began his career in the Ohio ANG in 1979 and served seventeen years part-time and fifteen years active duty retiring in 2011. His civilian ministry has included pastoring three churches in Ohio. He has served the Indian lake Community Church twice; first for eighteen years and he resigned when called up for Desert Storm, and after his retirement from the military he returned and is currently senior pastor. He holds a Bachelors from Malone University, Masters of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Masters from Wright State University, Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary. Rev. Ellington currently is the visiting Vicar at Anglican Community Fellowship Church, a chaplain church plant in Winter Garden, FL.