Meet the staff & vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah.

BLESSED ARE OUR CLERGY, STAFF & VESTRY

Our clergy, staff and vestry are here to support and guide. Please take a moment to meet them.

Clergy

The Rev. Dr. John Sorensen

Vicar/Priest-In-Charge

The Rev Dr John Sorensen is Vicar of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah. He was called by the Vestry and Appointed Interim Priest in Charge by Bishop Ruth early in 2022. His goal is to grow and establish Messiah as a thriving mission congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and reestablish Messiah in their own building on their own property. During his two previous rectorships, he was always part of a ministry of rebuilding.

Not many Episcopal Churches have the unique opportunity to recreate themselves from scratch. But when the previous Episcopal Church in Myrtle Beach left the Episcopal Denomination in a 2012 schism and joined a traditionalist denomination, the faithful Episcopal remnant that became Messiah was homeless and created a new congregation from nothing. We are now a small, thriving growing group that worships in a shopping center retail space. By the end of 2024, we expect to own a three-acre property on which to plant a new Messiah Church. Fr. John is excited to be vicar of this entrepreneurial congregation. The next decade will be an exciting time for us all.

Fr. John lives 87 miles away in Mount Pleasant, a northern suburb of Charleston. He leads worship nearly two-thirds of Sundays. Fr Jim Craig, a retired priest from Massachusetts, leads worship most of the remaining Sundays. The two men share Pastoral Care responsibilities. Thanks to a capable lay leadership and an excellent parish staff, this current ministry model works during our transition to a new future.

Vicar John retired to Mount Pleasant in 2019 after thirteen years as Rector of Saint John’s Church, Concord PA. He previously served sixteen years as Rector of Trinity, Plattsburgh, New York. He was a school Chaplain and Associate Rector in Midland, Texas. His first ministry was as a Chaplain at Saint Stephen’s School, Alexandria VA. He has enjoyed education and learning, and has studied with some of the best congregational development experts in the church.

John grew up in Cape Cod, attended High School in Stowe Vermont (1971) and became a chef. He operated several small businesses, worked as a lay minister, attended Cape Cod Community College (AA, 1978) and earned his AB from the Boston College School of Education in 1982. He earned his Masters in Divinity from Virginia Seminary in 1985. Exciting coursework at McGill University in 1998 and a month’s long sabbatical in Israel led John to the Seabury-Western Seminary School of Congregational Studies in Evanston, IL, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development in 2004.

The Rev. Jim Craig

Priest Associate

Fr Jim and his family relocated to Myrtle Beach in July 2019 after retiring from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Leominster, MA where he served as rector for 23 years. He assists Fr. John and celebrates the Eucharist a couple of times a month.

Fr Jim and his wife Cindy have been married for almost 49 years and have six children. Their two biological children, Eric & Sarah, two grown adopted daughters, Moriah & Jenna, and their two young grandsons, Jayden & Mason, whom they have permanent guardianship of.

In their spare time Fr Jim and Cindy enjoy going to the gym and spending time with the boys at the pool and beach.

The Rev. George Welles

Priest Associate

Annie & George Welles. Still very happily 66 years married. Natives of New England, born and raised outside of Boston. Both of us were teachers as well as directors of waterfronts. Annie was a swimming champ in her days. George a Virginia Seminary graduate. Over the years, they co-pastored several mission congregations, with George the vicar and Annie the organizer of church dinners. Parents of 8 children, a family that’s grown into 25 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. And now happily enjoying life here in Myrtle Beach with the Messiah folk, our new church family, as well as frequently zooming with our very large family.

Staff

Charles Jones Evans

Director of Music

Originally from Dallas, TX, Charles has been a resident of Myrtle Beach since 1996. He has served as Music Director at Messiah, playing organ/piano and directing the choir, since 2013. He is also Music Director of the Long Bay Symphony, this area’s professional orchestra. Charles holds music degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, Southern Methodist University and the Eastman School of Music.

Patty Tate

Parish Secretary

Patty joins us with over fifteen years of behind the scenes work at churches. You will find her in the office Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 8:00 to 4:00. Her job duties are varied and include:

communication (website, enewsletter & soon the Sunday bulletin)
membership (transfers, updating records, directories)
general assistance to members & visitors

Her goal is to support the staff, vestry, parishioners and visitors so that the church may grow into their vision.

She is married to Larry for over 30 years and they have two grown children, Allie & Gar, who live out of state. When not working, Patty plays pickleball, does yoga, volunteers at a food pantry, reads, and walks on the beach.

Chelsea

Children's Church Minister

Chelsea considers herself a Myrtle Beach local after moving to this beach paradise in 2005 from Cleveland, Ohio. A passionate Sunday School teacher, she brings over 15 years of babysitting experience, including time caring for children in the community, to her lessons. Chelsea creates engaging and interactive lessons every Sunday that will leave your child excited to come back next week.

With experience ranging from newborns to teenagers, Chelsea's childcare expertise is vast. She even spent over 5 years as a nanny in Australia, demonstrating her ability to thrive in different environments. Since returning to the States in 2022, Chelsea has completed her Paralegal degree at Horry Georgetown Technical College and is currently pursuing a Marketing Degree at Coastal Carolina University. A well-rounded individual, when Chelsea isn't nurturing young minds or hitting the books, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her 3 puppies, soaking up the sun at the beach, or curled up with a bestselling novel.

Vestry

What Is a Vestry?

The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk may be chosen. These officers may or may not be vestry members. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.

Messiah's Vestry Roles

Rick - as Senior Warden he works closely with the vicar and on occasion the diocese. He guides the vestry to ensure that both long and short term needs of the church are met.

Christine, Eileen, Kristi, Monica, Pat - as vestry members they tend to the operational tasks while ensuring everything aligns with our long-term vision. Pat also serves as our clerk.

Charlie - advises the vestry on legal issues.

Peggy - is our treasurer. Reach out to her for questions regarding your pledge or giving.

Our vestry is elected each year at our annual meeting. Each vestry member serves a 3-year term. Legal adviser and treasurer are not elected positions. Vestry member is an elected leadership position open to members who have been actively involved for at least a year. If interested in serving, look for information in the late fall.