Our Tradition and History
“Founded in East Palatka, Florida in 2004, St. John the Divine is a member of the CEC-NA, part of the global International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC). We were not born of schism or division, but from a sincere desire to follow the Holy Spirit into a new work of unity and convergence. Our founding bishop, Randolph Adler, was consecrated in apostolic succession in 1992. Since that time, our communion has expanded across North America and throughout the world.”
Who We Are
“St. John the Divine is a growing family of Christians dedicated to worship that is Biblical, Spirit-filled, and historically rooted. We sit at the intersection of the ancient and the evangelical, blending the richness of the sacraments with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Committed to reaching the least, the lost, and the lonely, we work together to make the Kingdom of God visible in our time. Join us as we live out the Gospel.”
Why is the parish named after St. John the Divine?
The naming of our parish is a reflection of both our history and our theological identity. St. John the Divine was founded in September 2004 by Father Bob Mills, beginning as a humble gathering in his home. From those first prayers, the parish was dedicated to the Apostle John—known as the “Beloved Disciple”—whose life and writings serve as the blueprint for our community’s mission.
St. John the Divine holds a unique place in the Apostolic tradition. As one of the original twelve apostles, he was the author of the Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. He is often referred to as St. John the Evangelist for his profound witness to the Incarnation, and St. John the Theologian (the Divine) because of the deep, mystical nature of his revelations. Notably, he was the only Apostle to remain at the foot of the Cross and the only one to die of natural causes, representing a lifetime of enduring faithfulness.
At St. John the Divine, we honor our namesake by centering our common life on three core pillars:
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The Authority of Scripture: Following the example of the Evangelist, we believe that Holy Scripture is the infallible heart of our walk with Christ.
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The Power of the Gospel: We do not merely read the Word; we seek to be transformed by it. Like the “Son of Thunder,” we pray that our witness may set the world on fire with the truth of Jesus Christ.
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A Legacy of Love: St. John’s writings emphasize that “God is love.” Our parish strives to make that unconditional love visible to the least, the lost, and the lonely.
From a small domestic gathering in 2004 to the vibrant communion we are today, we remain committed to the vision of St. John: bringing the light of the Gospel into the darkness of the world.
As Christians, we believe that Scripture is central to our walk. We pray that we may set the world on fire with the Gospel.
CURRENT EVENTS
Stay connected to what’s current at Saint John the Divine! We would love it if you joined us for one of our upcoming events!