Today we’d like to introduce you to Garron Daniels.
Hi Garron, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m from a small corner of Northwest Missouri called Savannah. Growing up I thought I wanted to get into law enforcement, so I studied Justice Systems at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO and graduated from there in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science with Magna Cum Laude honors. It was during my time at Truman that I started feeling a tug at my heart from God. I remember distinctly sitting down and looking through different internship possibilities. All of a sudden it’s like a small voice spoke to me directly in my head saying, “Have you thought about ministry instead?”. I couldn’t believe it so I ignored it, but God kept poking me more and more. After an amazing internship with the Missouri State Highway Patrol I realized I loved law enforcement and had a passion for it, but it wasn’t what I was being called to do or be. I finally said “Yes” to God and began the discernment process to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. In the midst of COVID and everything else going on in the world, I started seminary at the University of the South: School of Theology in Sewanee, TN and graduated from there in 2023. I spent a year in my home Diocese of Missouri serving as a Curate (assisting priest) at St Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Creve Coeur, MO. When my curacy was about to end, I knew I had to start discerning where to go next. I saw that St Paul’s Episcopal Church and Trinity Chapel (also known as the Episcopal Parish of Alton) in Alton, IL was looking to call their next Rector. I prayed long and hard about this transition. I met with the search committee twice, one on zoom and one in person, and they prayerfully called me to be their next Rector. Alton being so close to St Louis made it easier to move and accept the calling while staying in this beautiful part of the country. I accepted the call and began working at the Episcopal Parish of Alton in May 2024. It’s been a joyous time ever since!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is ministry ever a smooth road? Absolutely not! And that’s okay! With Christs as the guide it doesn’t matter how smooth or rough it can be because we have Him and that’s more than enough. That being said, it’s been a challenge for a lot of reasons. For starters, I’m young! I’m only 28 years old and I’m now in charge of a nearly 190 year old congregation in the heart of downtown Alton. This is a Church that has had people go on to be Bishops in the Church! It’s quite a large undertaking and there have been a lot of learning curves. Not only that, but before my arrival the Church had a fire that seriously damaged the office complex in 2020. Between a fire and COVID it was not an easy time for the congregation. While the renovations were already done by the time arrived there was still a lot of work to do in bringing the congregation together and reminding them of the importance of community. We brought back good traditional Anglican worship with more Anglo-Catholic bend to it and people really loved it! Over the past year and a half the congregation has seen old and new faces arriving at our door. People are being confirmed and baptized. The Church is becoming more financially stable and is already looking at ways to be more proactive in caring for our historic buildings. While ministry is tough, we have a great community that is passionate about this place and especially about being a disciple of Jesus Christ
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Episcopal Parish of Alton?
The Episcopal Parish of Alton (EPA), is a historic family-sized Anglo-Catholic parish founded in 1836 and located along the Mississippi River just north of the St Louis Metropolitan area. We are a member of the Springfield Diocese and a Eucharistic Community with two worship sites serving the Riverbend of Illinois – St Paul’s Church, located in downtown Alton on the corner of Market & Third Streets, and Trinity Chapel located at 1901 State Street in North Alton.
What matters most to you? Why?
For people to meet face to face with the resurrected Christ. Maybe I’m bias because I’m a Priest, but I can’t imagine anything more important than having this deep connection and unity with our Lord and Saviour. To meet Him face to face in the sacraments and in the faces of this loving community, what more can anyone ask for? I want people to see the beauty of Episcopal tradition and worship and to see Christ in our very midst. Christ is the healing balm that this divided world so desperately needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://episcopalalton.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/episcopalalton
