WE ARE
WORSHIP WITH US FOR ADVANCEMENT
ABOUT OUR CHURCH
We are the Church without boundaries and borders. We wholeheartedly believe and confess Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth, the Life. We are Anglo Catholic – High Church Anglicanism. The Anglican Church of the Messiah brings a new vibrancy to the traditional tenets of the Anglican faith. We invite you to join us each Sunday for Bible based study, heartfelt praise, song filled worship, and true Christian fellowship. Our Anglican Youth Ministry provides adolescents aged 5-12 with the resources and mentorship they need to develop a personal, lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.
OUR THEOLOGY
The Anglican Church of the Messiah wholeheartedly believes and confesses Jesus Christ to be the way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, but by Him.
WE CONFESS:
The canonical books of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation. and to be the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.
The Baptism and the Supper of the Lord to be Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself in the Gospel, and thus to be ministered with unfailing use of His words of institution and of the elements ordained by Him;
The godly historic Episcopate as an inherent part of the apostolic faith and practice, and therefore as integral to the fullness and unity of the Body of Christ:
The historic faith of the undivided church as declared in the three Catholic Creeds: the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian.
WE AFFIRM:
The teaching of the first four Councils and the Christological clarifications of the fifth, sixth and seventh Councils, in so far as they are agreeable to the Holy Scriptures.
WE RECEIVE:
The Book of Common Prayer as set forth by the Church of England in 1662, together with the Ordinal attached to the same, as a standard for Anglican doctrine and discipline, and, with the Books which preceded it, as the standard for the Anglican tradition of worship: The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of 1562, taken in their literal and grammatical sense, as expressing the Anglican response to certain doctrinal issues controverted at that time, and as expressing the fundamental principles of authentic Anglican belief
Meet our Leader
Father Gideon A. Uzomechina
Having serve as a priest and missionary for over two decades following his seminary training in Nigeria and ordination into the Anglican Communion (Anglo Catholic tradition) as well as his Interfaith and Ecumenical studies in Israel, the Venerable Dr. Gideon Uzomechina, fondly called Father Gideon, is the Rector of spirit filled Anglican Church of the Messiah, Plainfield, the Archdeacon of New Jersey, and the Diocesan Director of Missions. Father Gideon is a certified Human Rights Consultant with the United States Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, Washington DC. He is also a certified U.S Law Enforcement Chaplain and serves as Spiritual Advisor at Substance and Alcohol Abuse Recovery Facility where his invaluable experience together with passion and empathy towards the vulnerable can never be over emphasized. He has worked with at-risk young men in New Brunswick and Plainfield and assisted them rediscover their purpose of life with positive change of attitudes which has helped most of them became responsible citizens. Father Gideon studied in Nigeria, Israel, and in the USA. His doctoral research work took him to Axum and Lalibela Ethiopia, Istanbul Turkey, Sinai Peninsula and Alexandria Egypt, Beirut Lebanon, Damascus Syria, Amman Jordan, Cape Coast Ghana, Rome and Vatican Italy, Canterbury and St. Albans Great Britain, and Bacoor Cavite Philippines. Father Gideon is a Professor of Pastoral Care and Spirituality, and has Interfaith and Ecumenical Certificate from Jerusalem, Israel, Diplomas in Theology and Religious Studies, Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Nigeria, Master of Arts, Pastoral Counseling, and Doctor of Ministry, Theology and Spirituality from the USA. Father Gideon completed his Clinical Pastoral Education at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is a Fellow of Christian Theologians and Philosophers; and he’s honored with the Ambassador of Peace Award by the Universal Peace Federation, USA. Father Gideon enjoy spending time with his family and friends, caring and responding to their needs.
Assistant Priest
Father Jean Luc MERAN
Jean Luc MERAN was born on July 23, 1992, in Petit-Goâve, a town in the West Department of Haiti. From an early age, faith and community service shaped his life, guiding him toward a profound religious vocation. Raised in a Christian home, he learned that love for others and social justice are essential pillars of life. Over time, these principles became the compass of his ministry.
Academic and Philosophical Formation: A Path of Reflection and Discovery
Jean Luc pursued studies in philosophy, equipping him with a deep, critical understanding of the human condition. His philosophical training not only strengthened his analytical thinking but also prepared him to address spiritual and pastoral challenges with sensitivity and empathy. Additionally, he has received training in theology and social communication, skills that enhance his ability to teach, preach, and work effectively in pastoral settings.
His passion for communication has provided him with essential tools to spread the gospel message across different media and connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Thanks to this preparation, he has successfully led communities and provided spiritual guidance, even in multicultural and complex environments.
A Multilingual Pastor: Serving the World
Jean Luc is a polyglot, fluent in French, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, which has allowed him to thrive in various communities throughout his life. This linguistic ability has been crucial in his pastoral work across multiple countries, enabling him to build meaningful relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds. His leadership is characterized by openness to dialogue and the inclusion of all, regardless of their origin.
International Experience: Colombia, Chile, and the United States
After leaving Haiti, Jean Luc embarked on a journey of service that took him to different countries.
In Colombia, he lived experiences that reaffirmed his vocation for service. There, he strengthened his ties with Christian communities and discovered new ways to support people in vulnerable situations. His time in Colombia was also a period of spiritual growth and preparation for future challenges.
In Chile, he co-founded and served as the legal representative of a religious community focused on the spiritual integration of migrants and the creation of communal spaces. This experience gave him valuable insights into church organization and the development of social support programs.
Currently, Jean Luc resides in New Jersey, USA, where he continues his pastoral and missionary work. This effort aligns with his vision of building inclusive and supportive communities that embody the message of love and hope found in the gospel.
Ecumenical Work and Ministry in the United States
Jean Luc was ordained as a priest in the Apostolic and Ecumenical Catholic Church. He is currently licensed to perform liturgical, magisterial, sacramental, and pastoral duties in the Anglican Diocese of St. Ignatius of Loyola. His commitment to ecumenism has led him to collaborate with various Christian denominations, promoting dialogue and unity among churches. This decision reflects his desire to serve in a stable and structured church environment in the United States. For Jean Luc, pastoral ministry is an expression of Christ’s love that transcends institutional and cultural boundaries.
Integration and Growth in the United States
Adjusting to life in a new country has been a challenge that Jean Luc has embraced with courage and determination. He is currently studying English, aware that mastering the language is essential for his integration and personal growth. Beyond his pastoral work, he actively participates in community life, seeking opportunities to serve and build bridges between cultures. Jean Luc is also committed to using the resources available to continue his personal and spiritual development, demonstrating his readiness to meet the challenges of his mission.
Vision and Future Projects
Jean Luc envisions establishing a vibrant faith community where people from diverse backgrounds can find a spiritual home and opportunities for personal growth. His ministry emphasizes interfaith dialogue and reconciliation, always under the supervision and authorization of his ecclesiastical superiors.
He aims to participate in conferences, workshops, and retreats, constantly seeking to renew his spirit and acquire new tools for his pastoral work. His goal is to be a positive agent of change in the communities he serves, reflecting Christ’s love and compassion in every action.
A Testimony of Faith and Hope
The life of Jean Luc MERAN is a testimony of perseverance, faith, and hope. Despite the challenges he has faced, he has never lost sight of his mission to spread Christ’s message across the world. With humility and determination, he continues his journey, trusting that each step is guided by God's hand.
His story is not just about a man who has traveled the world; it is the story of a pastor who has found in every place a new opportunity to serve God and transform lives. Jean Luc walks forward with the certainty that his vocation is to be a bridge of love and reconciliation, bringing light wherever it is most needed.
Our Team
Pastor Colin A. I. Baptiste
YOUTH PASTOR AND SENIOR WARDEN
Deacon Michael Anderson
SEMINARIAN HARRY M. WATSON Jr.
Parish Sacristan, Altar Guild Leader, and Acolyte Master
We bring a new vibrancy to the traditional tenets of the Anglican faith. We invite you to join us each Sunday for Bible based study, heartfelt praise, song filled worship, and true Christian fellowship. Our Anglican Youth Ministry provides adolescents aged 5-12 with the resources and mentorship they need to develop a personal, lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.
Contact
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