The Church of the Holy Cross on 420 North Main will be visited by an important clergyman from St. Louis on Sunday. The Right Reverend Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, is coming to Poplar Bluff to administer to the congregation’s religious needs.
“Bishop Johnson regularly visits all the parishes in his diocese,” said Brother Mike Malone, long time congregation member and member of the Anglican Order of Preachers. He first met Johnson at Christ Church in Cape Girardeau when Johnson was being interviewed with the other candidates for the position of Bishop of Missouri. Malone wore his habit and Johnson approached him to ask what order he was in.
“He’s the only one that did. This seemed to indicate to me that he would be a bishop not just for the clergy, but someone who would empower the laity also. And I believe that is what he is doing,” Malone said.
Johnson came to America from the Caribbean island of Barbados when he was 14 years old, according to information released by the diocese. His early religious life was molded by his maternal grandmother who taught him to pray and worship with the hymns and spirituals she sang throughout his childhood.
He continued his education in America by earning an associate’s degree in biology and Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and history from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2003, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from The General Theological Seminary in New York.
Before being granted the title of bishop, Johnson served as the associate rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights, Ohio and Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brighton, Mich. He was elected by the diocesan convention at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis on Nov. 23, 2019, and ordained the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Missouri on June 13, 2020.
Johnson came to his new position with deep experience in social justice issues and in ministering to gay and lesbian communities. He continues to serve on the Taskforce for Liturgical and Prayer Book Revision and is a consultant to the Office of Black Ministries. He lives in St. Louis with his husband Jhovanny Osorio and their two children, Lilohalani and Ja’Lon.
During his visit to Holy Cross, Bishop Johnson will provide a sermon, Eucharistic service and perform a confirmation and a baptism.
“Holy Cross welcomes anyone interested in attending a service presided over by Bishop Johnson,” said Senior Warden Kim Malone.