Order of Saint Francis

We are a brotherhood of like-minded men who follow St. Francis’ example as a discipline to serve God. We are an order that exists apostolically, living out in the world with normal lives, rather than as a cloistered order. Our members live in different parts of the world, all with our own individual ministry based on the needs of the local community and parish.

Br Nicholas Kis, OSF, (1946-2009)

Br Nicholas passed away on August 3rd, 2009.  The Order of St. Francis was founded by Br Nicholas and he served as Guardian until August 2009 upon his death.  Originally a Greek Orthodox monk, Br Nicholas left that order, joined the Episcopal church and became a Franciscan.  Through the Order, he was primarily devoted to ministry to the sick and was also active in liturgical roles within his home parish of Christ Church.

Bishop Greg Rickel is the 8th Bishop of Olympia. The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia is geographically made up of the western third of Washington state running from the peaks of the Cascades to the Pacific Ocean and from Canada to Oregon. Greg was ordained/consecrated bishop on September 15, 2007

 Br. Zane Young, Minister General, OSF - Br. Zane was received into the community on October 26th, 2006 at Christ Church-Seattle. He lives in Northwest Texas where he is an active Worship Leader at St. Stephen's-Wichita Falls and his ministries include working with Interfaith Ministries Food Bank and First Step Shelter for victims of domestic abuse.  Br. Zane is currently pursuing a PhD in Natural Resource Management at Texas Tech University and conducts air quality research.

Br. Alan Spurgeon, OSF - Alan resides in Ravensdale, WA. and is active within his parish, St. George - Maple Valley, leading Wednesday compline, Eucharistic Visitor and Minister & Worship Leader. Ministries include working with the elderly, helping those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, assisting the homeless and volunteering as a firefighter/EMT.  Along with his partner of 14 years they adopted a son in 2008 and are expect to adopt another son this spring.

 Br. Kris Wilder, OSF - Kris is an active parish member of St. John the Baptist-West Seattle, in the neighborhood in which he resides. He also keeps busy with being an instructor of West Seattle Karate Academy. Kris is also a published author and carries a black belt in karate.

 
 
Br. Derek Nelson, OSF - Derek Paul Nelson is the Assistant Verger for Christ Episcopal Church-Pensacola where he also assists with the youth of the Church.  Derek is an employee of Izon Models, is active in fitness training, and attends Pensacola Junior College working on an Associate Degree in Drama/Theater.

 Br. Rich Atkinson, OSF - Rich lives in San Rafael, California just outside of San Francisco, where he met his wife and raised his children. He is a member of the Redeemer Episcopal Church. Rich is a Street Outreach worker in the Homeless Connect Project of San Francisco, leads a regular service to residents in a local Nursing Home and is a Eucharistic Minister. He comes to the OSF from TSSF in which he was a Novice Counselor for 10 years.

Br. Gil Torre, OSF - Gil resides in Seattle Washington and worships with St. Paul's in lower Queen Anne. He is a nationally certified counselor and a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Gil currently works with military members and their families and has a private practice.

Br. David Carpenter comes to the OSF from the Franciscan Order of the Sacred Heart where he was a brother for the past two years and served as Vicar General to the Order.  He worships at St Luke's in the Meadow-Ft. Worth and serves as the Parish Administrator and Director of the parish bookstore.  His ministries include working with Food Share America, East Side Ministries, and the West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association.

Br. John Blair is an Episcopal priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Missouri and resides in St. Louis.  He is the manager of spiritual care for Christian Hospital and is the associate for spirituality for St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.  John is currently pursuing a D.Min. at Eden Theological Seminary and is an artist, photographer, and a spiritual director.

 Br. Nevin Jefferson is heavily involved in parish activities at St George - Maple Valley, a choir member, eucharistic visitor, co-leads compline and teaches Godly Play.  Nevin is in discernment for ordination, was the poster boy for AIDS awareness for POCAAN (People of Color Against Aids Network), volunteers for Lifelong AIDS Alliance (15 Years), and Pierce County AIDS Foundation (14 years).

 Br. David West is our first "canuck" and resides in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.  He is an active member of Holy Spirit Anglican Church in Whonnock, BC. serving as a lay reader, alter server, Eucharistic Minister, and many other duties around the parish.  He is a professor of English and Biblical Literature on the faculty of Douglas College in New Westminster, BC. 

Br. Jim Di Napoli currently resides in Rowley, Mass. where he is an active parishioner of St. James-Groveland serving on the Vestry, parish nursing team, LEM, healing ministry, and as Eucharistic Visitor.  A graduate of the University of New York at Albany, he is the clinical director of a home health nursing agency in the Boston area and works with the mentally ill and those with substance issues.  In his spare time, he enjoys quilting and reading the works of Thomas Merton.

Br. Rayburn Barton is a member at All Saint's-Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where he maintains the Columbarium for the parish and is constructing a new spirit garden.  Dr. Barton is currently Professor of Political Science at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort where he teaches courses in American National Government and Current Issues in American Politics. Previously Dr. Barton was the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University. 

Br. Louis Skipper comes to the OSF from Alabama where is the newly appointed Assistant Rector of St. Matthew's-Madison.  Louis is a graduate of the Universities of Alabama, Hollins, University of Iowa and a 1998 M. Div graduate of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.  He and his wife have been active in the Montgomery area and within the Diocese of Alabama, to include campus ministries that feed 20,000 people at a local mission.

 Br. Mark Jenkins comes to the OSF from the Franciscan Friars of Fort Lauderdale. Br. Mark serves as the Master of Ceremonies and Acolytes at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Pompano Beach, FL. He also has served on the Vestry and as delegate to the diocesan convention for his parish. Br. Mark currently serves in full time ministry as a church administrator with the United Methodist Church.