More and more Episcopalians in Mississippi are striving for God’s just future. Recognizing this holy movement, the Rt. Rev. Brian Seage of Mississippi created a new position to further engage in the ministry of racial justice, reconciliation, and healing.

As diocesan missioner for Becoming Beloved Communities and congregational vitality, the Rev. Andy Andrews will be the most visible cheerleader and advocate for the BBC initiative on the diocesan staff. Andrews has been an anti-racism facilitator for 17 years. He is a native son of Mississippi and is perceptive to the multiple roadblocks and opportunities in the diocese. 

Andrews and partners on the diocesan racial reconciliation task force have spread The Episcopal Church’s vision of becoming Beloved Community, increased the church’s capacity for relationship building, and introduced resources like Sacred Ground circles. 

“We still haven’t met all the people we get to love,” Andrews said. “We still have not met all who will love us. God is not through with us. The Episcopal Church’s lifelong, intergenerational commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice provides a prophetic and pastoral path forward for us. We trust that the way of truth-telling, reparations, and justice-bearing will help us to better be Jesus-centered.” 

Andrews began this new call in July and welcomes conversation. He can be reached at andrews@dioms.org.

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Andrews was ordained in 1996 serving congregations in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi. He graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest with a Master of Divinity, Episcopal Divinity School with a Doctor of Ministry, and the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.