Celebrating Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon

Dear friends,

One of the high honors of my ordained ministry has been to work alongside the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon in his role as Bishop-in-Residence at St. John the Divine over the past three years. A man of great faith, wisdom, and authority, Bishop Josiah has been a friend and counselor to me during his tenure, as well as a faithful father-figure to our staff and parish. I write to inform you that he will be transitioning from his current role to a more “adjunct” and part-time status in 2026.

When I originally invited Bishop Josiah to join our staff in 2022, we discussed a commitment of two to three years. During this time, he has leveraged his extensive relationships with bishops throughout the Anglican Communion to help SJD become a network hub linking the Global South to other parishes in The Episcopal Church. We ourselves are the beneficiaries of a new ministry partner with the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania, a fruit of Bishop Josiah’s relationships. Additionally, Bishop Josiah has been a godly pastor, teacher, and preacher for our parish.

In 2026, Bishop Josiah will spend the majority of his time on his “life’s work” in Christian-Muslim relations in Nigeria, as well as in London with his wife, Comfort. He will remain connected to our ministries, however, returning to SJD three times for several weeks to pastor, teach, and preach. We are grateful for this continuing role among us.

Nevertheless, the end of this month represents a transition as Bishop Josiah will be departing until later in 2026. I invite you to a farewell reception for him on Sunday morning, November 30, at 10:15 am in Sumners Hall. Parishioners are also encouraged to consider a gift to a purse being collected as an expression of our gratitude for his full-time ministry these past three years. Below, you will read an interview with Bishop Josiah about his time at SJD, the worldwide relationships he has helped cultivate, and the work that continues to inspire him.

Yours in the fellowship of the gospel,

Leigh
The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill, Rector

You’re concluding your time as Bishop-in-Residence. How would you describe this season of ministry at St. John the Divine?

Bishop Josiah: I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I’d done something similar at the Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, but only for about six weeks. My time here has been longer and far more formative. I’m grateful for the privilege of serving on a team of priests—this is actually the first time I’ve been part of a parish clergy team in this way.

My career moved quickly after ordination: chaplaincy, then seminary teaching, then England, and then back to Nigeria where I served as seminary dean and later as dean of a cathedral. I never had the early parish experience most priests have. In some ways, I’m doing now—retired—what I “should” have done when I was first ordained! It’s been good for me personally and spiritually.

Working in a busy parish like SJD, sharing responsibilities, and being told what to do instead of doing the telling—that’s been refreshing. And of course, the work with global partnerships has been a real joy.

The global partnerships ministry has grown significantly over the past few years. What has that experience been like?

Bishop Josiah: It’s been one of the most exciting parts of my work here. Leigh has been extremely generous, giving me the freedom to help shape where the connections should be and which leaders should be paired together.

My vision was to help the Global South truly understand The Episcopal Church from the inside. Many Anglican leaders, especially in the Global South, don’t really know The Episcopal Church, and they often misunderstand it. These partnerships give them firsthand experience with our parish life, our people, and our faith culture.

One example is the Bishop of Kondoa, Given Gaula. When I first told him SJD was an evangelical parish, he couldn’t believe it: “Evangelical? In the Episcopal Church?” But through visits both ways, our team going to Kondoa, and Bishop Gaula coming here, his whole perspective changed. That is exactly the purpose of these partnerships: real relationships that build understanding.

From there, more partnerships have formed. Altogether, we now have around fourteen rectors paired with fourteen bishops. And our own Bishop Andy Doyle from the Diocese of Texas is deeply involved, and said recently that these relationships, parish to diocese, are the future of the Anglican Communion. Politics may continue, but the real life of the Church is happening on the ground, in relationships.

Why do you focus on parish-to-diocese partnerships instead of bishop-to-bishop?

Bishop Josiah: Because bishops come and go, but parishes endure. If a bishop retires tomorrow, the relationship still continues. These partnerships are grounded in people, community, and shared ministry.

What’s next for you? Will we still see you around SJD?

Bishop Josiah: Yes, just not all the time. My residency will shift to an “in-and-out” rhythm. I’ll continue nurturing the partnerships we’ve established and helping new ones grow. Just last week, I was in Dallas meeting with multiple parishes interested in joining this global partnership ministry. When I return to Houston in March or April, several more churches have already scheduled sessions with me.

I’ll also be dedicating more time to the Kaduna Centre, which is my “baby.” The rector has graciously encouraged this work. I’ll spend about three months a year here, three months in the Global South, and three months at the Kaduna Centre, while being based in London because it’s more practical for travel and because my family is there.

Tell us more about the Kaduna Centre.

Bishop Josiah: The Kaduna Centre brings Muslim and Christian leaders together for a two-year program to learn each other’s faith from the inside: what Christians believe, what Muslims believe, and how to relate to one another authentically.

One of the most exciting elements has been the involvement of women. In Northern Nigeria, mothers have tremendous influence in the home. When they understand both Christianity and Islam more deeply, it shapes how they raise their children in a context where radicalization is a threat. We are already seeing the impact.

It’s a vital ministry, and I look forward to devoting more time to it.

Are there ways you hope the people of SJD will grow in the years ahead?

Bishop Josiah: St. John the Divine is unique, wonderfully so. But that can make it easy for people to slip in and out without truly engaging. We need more hands on deck, more people committed to ministries like The Door, more people willing to step out of their comfort zones.

I’d also love to see even more diversity integrated into our fellowship. We’ve started a small group called the Launch Pad Fellowship, primarily for new members from outside the U.S., to find their footing. We meet every two months, share a meal, and study the upcoming Sunday gospel passage. It has been a blessing, and it needs more champions.

Most of all, we need to keep reaching younger generations. This is a challenge everywhere, not just here. Non-denominational churches attract them easily. We need to understand why, without trading away the gospel or the balance we cherish.

Any final words for SJD as you transition to this next season?

Bishop Josiah: Just gratitude. I’ve loved walking to church each morning, serving alongside this clergy team, and getting to know this community. The generosity here, in time, talent, and treasure, is remarkable.

And this isn’t a final goodbye. At least until late 2026, I’ll still be part of you. After that, I’ll likely visit as a friend. But the relationships we’ve built will continue.

Thank you for welcoming me. It has been a joy.

Interview edited for length and clarity.

We will celebrate and honor Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon and his time among us at a reception on Sunday, November 30, at 10:15 am. Please consider giving financially to a purse that will support him and his future ministry.

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