Reverend Canon John Slavin Rector

John has been pastoring St. Gabriel’s for 16 years. He has studied at the New York Institute, Arkansas University of Healing Arts, Anglican School for Ministry, Gordon Conwell and Moody Bible Institute. A New York City native, he has called the south his home for over 21 years, residing in Southwest Florida and Little Rock prior to moving to NW Arkansas.

He has worn many hats, having worked in construction, executive security, physical therapy, biological research, as a professor of Anatomy and Physiology, as well as a medical/legal consultant. He has taken this varied past and weaved it into his ministry, as he is a strong believer in “preaching what you know”. This has led to him working as a Coast Guard Chaplain, Police Chaplain, Bioethicist, and guest lecturer at local universities. Under the oversight of Bishop Derek Jones of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, John is licensed and endorsed for ministerial work with the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. In 2011, in thanksgiving for his work with the Province of West Africa, Ghana, John was made an honorary Canon of their Cathedral.

Having been involved with the Anglican Church in North America since its inception, he has taken our first Archbishop, Robert Duncan’s words to heart and forged them into his vision for St. Gabriel’s. Our mission statement now reads:

“The mission of St. Gabriel’s Anglican Church is to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, ministering to the body, the mind, and the spirit in the Anglican tradition by bringing the transforming love of Jesus Christ to Northwest Arkansas. “ 1 Corinthians 12:12, Galatians 2:20 

John’s vision for the church today is a body of believers, wounded sinners, striving to be Christ’s body on earth, in an equally wounded and sinful world. Not a spiritual “social club” bending to the culture, but a true family of God, witnessing and unwavering, preaching the ancient, and unchanging truths of Jesus’ life transforming Gospel in word and deed.

When not ministering, John enjoys music, firearms, competitive shooting matches, and spending time in study fascinated with historic liturgy, the early church and the reformers of the faith. He is uplifted and supported by his dedicated ministry partner and wife of 20 years, Pamela, and their 3 children.

Deacon Ed Knox

Deacon Ed is a cradle Anglican and a native Carolinian. After joining the Navy and living in places such as Egypt, Africa, the Middle East, Russia, not to mention the Gulf of Mexico, he visited Arkansas. He was so struck with the beauty of the Ozark Mountains that he decided to stay. He savors being in the presence of God in nature. He typically spends his time with his wife on their farm tending to his bees, chickens, and garden, or camping and canoeing. You may happen to find him at a bluegrass festival or NWA beekeeper meeting.