The Most Revd. Nicholas Dikeriehi Orogodo Okoh
The Primate of Nigeria

The Most Revd. Nicholas Dikeriehi Orogodo Okoh was born on 10th November, 1952 at Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State to Mr. Stephen Chinakwe and Mrs. Nwagho Okoh. Without intending to be modest, his parents were poor peasant farmers, who carried out mere subsistence farming.

He attended St. Michael’s (Anglican) School, Owa-Alero from 1958-1964 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He had a four-year stint in business under one of his uncles. He later established his own business, only to abandon it and joined the Nigerian Army in 1969, while still a confirmation candidate. He was to be confirmed 6years later by Bishop Idowu at St. Stephen’s Cathedral Ondo while at VCLC, Akure. The terrible experience and uncertainty of life in the war-front made the young Nicholas to surrender to God. In 1970, at the end of hostilities, under the wrong influence of fellow soldiers, he backslided, until early 1971, when under a circumstantial experience he broke down completely and offered himself to the LORD. Within three months, he read the whole bible from Genesis to Revelation. His life was transformed. Thereafter he became a freelance Evangelist, gathering and leading many young people in his group. He continued his education and passed his O/L G.C.E. in 1974 and A/L G.C.E. in 1976, by which time he was already at Vining Christian Leadership Centre, where he trained as Catechist from 1975-1976. He was admitted to Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan for his Pastoral Studies (1976-1979). There he obtained a Diploma in Religious Studies, and Diploma in Theology. After his Ordination in July, 1979 he was appointed 3 Armoured Division Garrison Chaplain, Jos. Later that same year, he left for the University of Ibadan (1979-1982), where he obtained his B.A. (Hons). He returned to the same University (1984-1985) for the M.A. Degree.

He got married to Miss Nkasiobi Amaechi on October 4, 1986. The marriage is blessed with 5 children.

The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns
Bishop of CANA

The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) is an Anglican body in the United States primarily comprising churches that have disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA). CANA was initially a missionary initiative of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. It has joined with several other organizations in the formation of the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA). In June 2006, the Reverend Martyn Minns, then the rector of Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia, was elected by the Anglican Church of Nigeria as the Missionary Bishop for CANA. Minns was consecrated in Abuja, Nigeria in August 2006 and installed as Missionary Bishop in May 2007. Christ the Redeemer affiliated with CANA in 2007 after its separation from ECUSA.

The Rev. Lawrence F. Harrison
Rector

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Fr. Lawrence Harrison graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1988 with a BA in Government. After a few years in Illinois State Government management, he discerned a call to the ordained ministry. He graduated from Trinity Episcopal School For Ministry in 1995 and served churches in Fort Worth, Texas and Fresno, California before accepting a call to be rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Garland Texas in January 2003. Upon the separation of that church from ECUSA, he became the first rector of Christ the Redeemer in March 2007. Fr. Lawrence and his wife, Claire, have been married since 1997 and have four children (Emma, Julia, Abigail and Simon).

The Rev. Sheri C. Graham
Deacon

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After spending time in ministry in the Baptist denomination, Deacon Sheri Graham became interested in ministry in a liturgical church during her studies at Criswell College from which she graduated with a BA in Biblical Studies in 2002, and a Masters in Theology in 2004. After serving in various positions at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and then Christ the Redeemer, she was ordained as a perpetual deacon in January, 2008 and now serves as a pastoral assistant to the rector of Christ the Redeemer as well as the Office Manager. Deacon Sheri and her husband Barry have been married since 1988.

The Rev. Donald P. McConnell
Priest

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Don graduated from Texas A&M University in 1972 with a degree in Building Construction. Following a thirty five year career in the construction industry, Don responded to God’s call to ordained ministry. He graduated from Nashotah House Seminary with a Masters of Divinity degree in 2010. He completed his Diaconate training at Church of the Holy Communion REC in Dallas in May of 2011 and has accepted the call to Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Garland, serving as Associate for Pastoral Care. Don and his wife Bonnie have been married thirty nine years and live in Garland. They have two grown sons (Aaron and Joseph) and three beautiful grandchildren (Noah, Grace, and Eli).