The Rev. Fr. Rod Hurst+ is originally from the Pacific Northwest and was confirmed at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Olympia, Washington. Before being called as rector of Christ Church of the Ascension, he served fourteen years as rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Carlsbad, New Mexico, a historic parish in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. He was ordained deacon and priest at the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin, Nashotah, Wisconsin and served as transitional deacon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Milwaukee.

Fr. Rod is an alumnus of Northwest University and Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, and Benedictine oblate of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Prior to parish ministry, he served as principal of a K-5th private school, Lutheran youth pastor, and in finance and management with the State of Washington and the State of Arizona. Fr. Rod and his wife Carol have two children.

Email Fr. Rod at rector@ccaaz.org.

Jean Hawkins is a cradle Episcopalian born in Detroit, Michigan. As a child, her family moved around the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic states, moving from church to church. Jean graduated high school in West Virginia and engineering school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She married her college sweetheart weeks after graduation and took an engineering job at Motorola’s semiconductor business in Phoenix. Mark and Jean have two grown daughters, Elizabeth and Aynsley, who live out of state. Currently, Jean works full-time for HonorHealth in Information Technology.

The family found a spiritual home at Christ Church of the Ascension where they have belonged for 25 years. Jean served two terms on the Vestry, taught Sunday School (grades 5-12) and confirmation class. After completing Education for Ministry in 2013, She became a mentor for EfM in 2017. Serving her faith community is an honor she is privileged to continue as your Deacon since her ordination in June 2021.

Email Deacon Jean at jean.hawkins@ccaaz.org.