New Rector Introductions – Christ Church Atlanta & All Saints Anglican Church
We are pleased to introduce you to the two newest rectors of ADOTS churches – The Rev. Ryan O’Dowd at Christ Church Atlanta and The Rev. Dr. Butch Frey at all Saints Anglican Church in Springfield, MO!
The Rev. Ryan O’Dowd
Christ Church Atlanta
When did you first feel the call to pastor your new church? Tell us about the process of answering this call for you and your family.
My path to Christ Church started in 2022 when I stepped away as founding rector position of the church Amy and I planted 15 years earlier. I had turned to work full-time as a chaplain and academic director at Chesterton House at Cornell University where I have worked in one capacity or another for the last 15 years. After a challenging season of church-planting and the increased burdens of Covid, I was especially grateful for some time away to study in areas of theology, philosophy, social sciences, and science and among leading experts we brought to campus each semester. My wife Amy and I were content with our jobs in Ithaca. Our daughter was surrounded by good friends in her high school, and we were living in a home surrounded by forests and creeks.
The search committee at CCA contacted me in May of 2024, and I was surprised to find myself immediately intrigued by the idea of living in a city that is otherwise (a) super-hot and (b) renowned for its terrible traffic. Yet Amy and I both sensed a common mind with leaders at CCA who wanted the church to grow and mature in its inward discipleship and outward mission to our neighbors. We had planted a church in Ithaca and realized we had an increasing desire to do that kind of work again within a new community. I think, above all, God had sparked a fresh desire to shepherd a church again, from the work in pastoral care and discipleship to the leadership of getting a church focused on a common vision.
When we were almost certain we were going to be called to CCA, we told our younger daughter, Emma Clare, who was the only child still living at home. Unlike her siblings, who have lived all over the world, she’d been born in Ithaca and never moved. She cried for two days after she heard the news, leading me to wonder why I thought a move might be a good idea for a child so happy in high school. A few days later, Emma Clare started to ask questions about the church, nearby schools, and sports programs. Within a few weeks she started getting excited. God was clearly moving in her, but I think we also gratefully recognize that she is a courageous young woman, ready to follow the Lord’s call on us as a family.
What are some of the needs and challenges in your city that you hope to meet through ministries, programs, etc.?
We have an economist at Cornell who specializes in the global food and health econimies. He often reminds me that when physical comforts and social stability increase, religious life and spiritual devotion decrease: development and secularism go hand-in-hand. It should be no secret that most Atlantans enjoy a wealthy and even decadent way of life: prestigious education, museums, international music, college and professional sports, golf courses, parks, restaurants, and safe (though dreadfully congested) roads. While America has fared better than Europe in religious decline in recent decades, we are still watching a general rise in the “nones” and those walking away from churches and fellowship to seek happiness in the base pleasures of life. Above all, I deeply desire to energize CCA in our outreach to our otherwise “happy” neighbors to remind them of the incomparable hope and riches in gospel of Jesus Christ. I want us to proclaim the much-needed peace that comes with the forgiveness of sins, the gift of Christian love, and the hope of eternal life.
Second, a major consequence of our secular age is widespread loneliness and isolation across all age groups. We often see statistics at Cornell that the average student experiences 0-1 meaningful connections with another human being each day. Some students have only one meaningful connection per week, and we are increasingly aware that adults sometimes do not fare much better. As a nation, we are rich, well-dressed, highly entertained and yet increasingly depressed and alone. From my first days and weeks getting to know CCA last year, I sensed a beautiful spirit of community, friendship, and service. I am praying for God to help me nurture it, expand it, and invite the lonely and lost in our city to come and be refreshed by this love of Christ in our midst.
Finally, having worked in the academic world for most of my adult life, I want to lead CCA in coming years so that we may present an informed and intelligent voice that will help our schools, colleges, local governments, and other institutions operate more humanely, peaceably, and justly. Surely the church has too often confused its calling with social service organizations and experts in public law and policy! That is not our role and we are first and foremost ministers of the gospel. Nevertheless, as Christians we also have the “mind of Christ,” (1 Cor 2:16) and “the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual insight” (Col 1:9). And so, while first obligation is to call all the people and kingdoms of this world to bow before their rightful King, in pointing them to Christ, we also serve an apologetic mission, introducing them to the Creator and Ruler of this world and his revelation of a true from of love and of a lasting forms of justice, human nature, and human flourishing.
Where are you in the life of your church? What’s on the horizon?
As I write, we are just over a month away from moving to Atlanta. While we pack and say goodbye to friends in Ithaca, we are continually getting to know the people at Christ Church and looking forward to being together in August.
How can we pray for you?
For a warm arrival among the people at CCA. For God to give us patience and a shared desire to walk with this church into its next stage of life and ministry.
For our family to get settled into a home and the rhythms of life in a new and busy place.
For our daughter, Emma Clare, to make friends, get settled into school, and find her calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ in a new place and time of life.
When did you first feel the call to pastor your new church? Tell us about the process of answering this call for you and your family.
I believe the call has developed gradually, primarily over the last eight months, however, it intensified significantly during the season of Lent.
What are some of the needs and challenges in your city that you hope to meet through ministries, programs, etc.?
Springfield is in the heart of the midwestern Bible Belt. We are witnessing a growing hunger, in the lives of many here, for more spiritual depth and they are finding that through the liturgy and Eucharist. Developing a more comprehensive discipleship program is an evident need. In addition, the Hispanic and Eastern European populations are growing in this region, prompting a need to respond to those from these two ethnicities, that come our way.
Where are you in the life of your church? What’s on the horizon?
All Saints is currently in a season of growth. We are praying and believing that the Lord continues to add to His church and that we steward this growth well, by implementing appropriate ministries and providing continual opportunities for catechesis. In addition, if the current growth pattern is sustained, we will need to add a third service within the next few months.
How can we pray for you?
Please pray that the Lord will continue to give the leadership of All Saints wisdom and sensitivity to Him. Pray that we never make assumptions and that we remain open to His direction.
We are always eager to share what God is doing through and among his people, and we encourage you to send stories, news, etc., with us so we may feature and share amongst the diocese.