Our Communities
In the book of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul writes to early Christians about the importance of diversity as the church strives for unity. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it,” he says. The role of each member is vital to the functioning of the whole body.
As a multinational church, we celebrate our ethnic and cultural diversity and welcome the joy and challenge of using our individual strengths to complement the whole. This is evident in our ethnic ministries, which work together to support and grow the body of Christ while honoring the unique gifts of each group. Learn more below.
African Descent ministries
Grounded in the many gifts, leadership, and faithful witness of people of African descent in The Episcopal Church, African Descent Ministries connects, supports, and strengthen ministries with and among Black communities across the church’s provinces and dioceses. In partnership with clergy and laypeople, the office cultivates leadership, fosters collaboration, and build relationships across a rich diversity of communities, including African American, Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian, East African, South African, South Sudanese, Liberian, and West African communities.
We support and engage in The Episcopal Church’s work of racial justice, dismantling white supremacy, and its work toward reparations, institutionally and in multiple dioceses.
Missioner for African Descent ministries
The Rev. Anita Braden joined The Episcopal Church as interim missioner for African Descent ministries in 2026, serving for seven years prior to that as canon to the ordinary and chief of staff for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. She has a master’s degree in biblical interpretation and is pursuing a doctorate in ministry. Her decades of experience in church leadership include serving as vice chair of the church’s Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution, and Canons. Contact The Rev. Anita Braden
Asiamerica ministries
Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries partners with and supports the leaders and individuals who comprise the church’s Asiamericans—a term that describes both Asian immigrants in the U.S. and those of Asian heritage born in the U.S.—as well as Asian Episcopalians and Asian Anglicans throughout the world. We seek to build and strengthen Asian congregations and their members at all levels, including youth, women, lay, clergy, and seminarians.
We work closely with the following Episcopal convocations, many of which meet annually: Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Asian American and Pacific Islander young adults.
Missioner for Asiamerica ministries
The Rev. Jo Ann Jaén Lagman joined The Episcopal Church as missioner for Asiamerica ministries in 2024, serving prior to that as rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Aurora, Illinois. Ethnically Filipino, Lagman was born in the U.S. and moved to the Philippines as a teenager, where she completed medical school before returning to the U.S. Contact The Rev. Jo Ann Lagman
Indigenous ministries
Celebrating the longstanding presence and influence of Native Americans throughout the history of The Episcopal Church, Indigenous Ministries works for the full inclusion of Indigenous people in the church’s life and leadership. We welcome partners who join us in providing resources, advocacy, and leadership opportunities.
As an institution, The Episcopal Church recognizes and repents of its harmful treatment of Native Americans, signing a covenant of faith in 1997 and later repudiating the 15th century Doctrine of Discovery. After the 2021 discoveries of mass graves of Indigenous children on the grounds of former boarding schools, church leaders decried the atrocities, and the 2022 General Convention called for an investigation into the church’s role in Indigenous boarding schools.
Missioner for Indigenous ministries
The Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg joined The Episcopal Church in 2020 as staff officer for racial reconciliation and was named interim missioner for Indigenous ministries in 2025. Brokenleg, a winkté (Lakota Two-Spirit), is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Sicangu Nation). She is an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of South Dakota. Contact Shaneequa Brokenleg
Latino ministries
Latino Ministries supports Episcopal dioceses and congregations by collaborating across provinces, developing networks, sharing resources across peer groups, and providing opportunities for the formation of lay and ordained leaders in multiethnic contexts. Our goal is to increase the cultural and linguistic competency of lay and ordained leaders so they can better support our churches. We welcome new Spanish-speaking members and congregations to The Episcopal Church and nourish ties with our churches in Latin American and the Caribbean.
Missioner for Latino ministries
Karla Sikaffy duPlantier was named interim missioner for Latino ministries in 2025, serving most recently as the Latino/Hispanic ministries coordinator in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. She holds a master’s degree in bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education. Contact Karla Sikaffy duPlantier
