The Rev. David F. Wyly Jr.
Rector
Fr. David was called to serve St. Stephen’s in July 2021 and he began his ministry in Sept. of the same year. He currently serves on the diocesan level as a member of the Board of Managers of the diocesan retreat center, Trinity Center, in Pine Knoll Shores, NC. He also passionately serves the women and men of the Goldsboro Police Department as their Volunteer Chaplain.
Fr. David began his ordained ministry at St. John Divine Episcopal Church in Sun City Center, FL in July 2019 after graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He served as the Assistant Rector and Youth and Family Minister. His primary responsibilities included; developing and supervising the Youth Christian Education and Formation programs (Sunday School, Confirmation Classes, Youth Group, Parenting Group etc.) and implementing, training and compliance concerning Church policies.
During his tenure in Southwest Florida he was involved outside the parish in several roles. He served as a member of the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team (YLT) and participated in Diocesan Summer Camp Programs, and youth retreat weekends. He also served as a volunteer Chaplain for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office providing spiritual care and support to sworn and non-sworn employees of the agency.
A native Floridian, Fr. David grew up in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Palmetto, FL. He participated as an acolyte, youth chorister, and Boy Scout at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Valrico, FL. After receiving an undergraduate degree from Troy State University in Troy, AL he returned to Southwest Florida and obtained his first master’s degree from the University of South Florida. His first career was as a Certified Athletic Trainer working mainly in outpatient physical therapy clinics. Notably, he spent three seasons as a Certified Athletic Trainer in the New York Yankees minor league system. His second career, in Orthopedic Sales, led him into the Operating Room as the technical expert for the total hip, total knee, total shoulder, and orthopedic trauma implants he represented for two different major manufacturers.
It was in the Operating Room that Fr. David met the love of his life, his wife, Nadine. They have six children Ethan, James, Samantha, Reagan, and twins, Jackson and Jillian.
The Rev. Jon L. Sargeant
Deacon Associate
Jon is seeking ordination to the priesthood and was ordained to The Sacred Order of Deacons (transitional) on May 25, 2024 by Bishop Skirving. Jon’s priestly formation has led him to complete the Diocesan School for Local Ministry Program, the Alternative Clergy Training at Sewanee School of Theology, and a Field Education placement at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Greenville, NC.
Jon has been a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kinston, NC since 1992. He has served as a Lay Leader of that parish in multiple areas of ministry including: Vestry service, serving as Chair of the 2017 Search Committee, mission trip leader, youth Sunday School teacher, and as a Certified Education for Ministry (EfM) mentor.
Jon has been married to his wife Laurel for 31 years. They have two adult children William and Abigail.
Jon is being ordained to a bi-vocational ministry. He will continue to serve as a District Court Judge for the 8th Judicial District in addition to his ordained ministry. Jon has committed to 10-15 hours of service to St. Stephen’s per week to include Sunday Liturgies, pastoral care, Christian Formation, and some office hours.
Liz Hengst
Youth Minister
Liz grew up in New York where she spent much time exploring nature in upstate New York and the wonders of city life in Manhattan. Much of her church life growing up was because of her grandmother who showed her all that the Episcopal Church is while they attended the Episcopal cathedral in Garden City on Long Island. In her mid-teens, she moved to Arizona with her mom and grandmother. She continued to explore the Episcopal Church, its very familiar yet different flow (in NY she had never seen people in Hawaiian shirts, shorts, and flip flops on Sunday mornings), and what this all meant for her own faith journey. Arizona is where she met and married her amazing husband. Eventually they moved with their two kids (and one kid on the way) to North Carolina not knowing much about the state, but felt a pull to be on the East Coast. Living in the Raleigh area is where she took a chance volunteering with a Youth Ministries program at her church and stumbled upon what she knew was her calling for a long (and still going) season of life. She found her way into Kids, Youth, and Camp Ministries throughout churches in North Carolina and back in Arizona for a little while. She now lives with her family in Kinston, North Carolina and is continually seeking to inspire young people to listen for where God is calling them to live out their faith. “As we journey through life, it is amazing to see how God works through each of us when we hold on to hope, live with faith, and act in love. *Let your faith be a light that shines through all you do.*”
Patrick Ritsch
Organist/Choirmaster
Patrick Ritsch is a recent graduate of East Carolina University with a Master of Music Degree with a concentration in Choral Conducting. He leads the musical life of St. Stephen’s as the organist and choirmaster.
While at ECU, Patrick performed for two years with the ECU Chamber Singers, both in the bass section and as accompanist. He also served as the assistant conductor for the ECU Concert Choir and as pianist for the ECU University Chorale. In addition, he played continuo with the Early Music Collective.
Prior to re-locating to Eastern North Carolina, Patrick had success in Southern Indiana as a high school choir director, church organist, and sought after collaborative pianist. He lives in Greenville with his dog, Fiona.
Sasha Flowers
Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant
Sasha was born and raised in Goldsboro NC. She is mother to 4 beautiful and amazing children. She grew up spiritually in Smith Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in a little town called Pink Hill NC. Sasha has worked in customer service for over past 17 years and has spent the last 3 years working in healthcare as an Accounting Technician/Office Manager for Wake Forest Baptist Health. When not working Sasha spends a great deal of time coaching a recreational cheerleading squad for a D1 National sports league as well as being the Team mom and admin for her son’s travel AAU football team.
Alfie Barnes
Parish Sexton
Alfie has served as the Sexton at St. Stephen’s since 2021. His duties include light maintenance, setting up and breaking down events, and cleaning. He often welcomes and helps groups who are using the facilities. He has a deep empathy for others and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
He has one young son who currently lives in the Phillipines.