History continues to be made in the Diocese of Central Florida – on a national stage.
Only a few months after being elected national president of Daughters of the King (DOK), St. John-the-Baptist Church’s Krisita Jackson announced that Bishop Greg Brewer has accepted her invitation to be national chaplain for DOK.
Jackson appointed Brewer in accordance with the DOK national bylaws that stipulate the Executive Board comprised of elected officers of the National Council – 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer – must approve an appointee. Brewer’s appointment was unanimously supported.
“I am overjoyed Bishop Brewer has agreed to serve as chaplain of the Daughters of the King for the 2018-2021 Triennium,” Jackson said. “Bishop Brewer has been a supporter of the call of Daughters of the King during his entire ordained ministry. His love for Daughters is evident in his service with us.”
Brewer is now part of an historic movement in DOK. Jackson, who has served for years in the Central Florida chapter of Daughters of the King (DOK), recently was elected national president of DOK at the 2018 DOK Triennial Convention this summer in Austin, Texas. Daughters from across the nation met at the Renaissance Austin Hotel June 20-24 to conduct business, and for worship and fellowship.
The election was historic as Jackson is the first African-American Daughter to serve as president in the organization’s 133 years of existence, and the first representative from the Diocese of Central Florida to earn the honor. A member of St. John-the-Baptist Church in Orlando, she will serve for three years 2018-2021 until the next Triennial convention.
Jackson said she knew at the time of her installation as president of The Order that she wanted Brewer to walk by her side. “Bishop Greg has a heart for Daughters and it was evident to me from the time he was consecrated,” Jackson said. “He has celebrated with Daughters at every assembly since that time. He believes, as I have often heard him say, that there is a special place in heaven for intercessors.
“The nearly 1,100 Daughters in (the organization) are prayer warriors,” Jackson said. “Over the years, he has called on us to pray with and for him as a bishop and as a father in his personal family.”
Jackson said the invitation to Brewer continues a deep tradition in The Order. Daughters have chaplains serve with them in every chapter, diocese and province, she said.
The Rev. Bill Smith of Holy Faith in Port St. Lucie serves as chaplain for DOK in Central Florida. At the Triennial Meeting in June, the Province IV president awarded Canon Nelson Pinder a Lifetime Honorary Chaplaincy for the province, Jackson said.
“(Pinder) has served as assistant chaplain in Province IV for nearly 10 years,” Jackson said. “He concurrently served as diocesan chaplain for five years.”
Jackson said Brewer’s primary responsibility will be serving as spiritual leader of DOK. “He will convene with us for meetings, lead worship, preach and teach, offer counsel and guidance, and pray together with us,” Jackson said.
Brewer’s appointment also means he is now a member of the National Council, which meets in person annually. The headquarters are in Atlanta, and this year’s meeting will be held in November.
The culminating event of the Triennium is the Daughter’s National Assembly, which is held in the city and near the time of the General Convention every three years, Jackson said. “He may also receive invitations from other Daughters throughout the country for visits,” Jackson said.