What we believe

Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.

We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.

We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation. We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.

St. Luke’s is a church that was formed when two Episcopal churches in Idaho Falls — St. John’s and St. Mark’s — merged in the mid-2000s. St. John’s dated back to 1895, while St. Mark’s came into being in 1982. When the time came for the two churches to be pruned from their separate places on the vine and grafted together, the old gave way to the new and St. Luke’s came to life.

The past few years have also brought us the gift of fellowship with the people of New Day Lutheran (ELCA). While the arrangement began out of considerations of practicality, the people of New Day and St. Luke’s have formed new friendships and relationships. We are separate congregations but share many ministries. We are better together.

Leadership

The vestry members oversee all things church.

The members include the Priest, Senior Wardens, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Clerk,

Evangelism, Education, Property, Stewardship, Pastoral Care, and Outreach.

Lonnie likes church fellowship and is very friendly. She earned a degree from Idaho State University. She has been the director of both Sunday School and Vacation Bible School which qualifies her for the fast pass to heaven. Lonnie is a hospitality volunteer who loves to welcome new members. She lives with a retired engineer husband who likes playing in a band and with his adorable grandchildren. Lonnie likes to cook and read. She looks quiet but is secretly funny. “It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.”

Theresa has proven to be an invaluable addition to the team since she joined in 2025, seamlessly managing a variety of office administration tasks with efficiency and precision. Her tech-savvy nature ensures that any technological hiccups are swiftly addressed, making her an essential asset in maintaining smooth operations. Outside of her professional life, Theresa’s passion for the outdoors shines through her love for hunting and fishing. She cherishes the time spent with her loyal companions, her wife Ann and their horse Sonny and dog Journey, who accompany them on many adventures. Her diverse interests and skills bring a unique and vibrant energy to the workplace, fostering a positive and dynamic environment.

Before answering the call to the ordained ministry, Akinpelu/James had been

actively involved in Christian discipleship programs which made him to serve as a one-time drama coordinator, program coordinator, and president of the youths’ fellowship at St Matthias Anglican Church before becoming the Diocesan Youth Forum’s program coordinator. And during his one-year service time as a youth Corps member he led his zone as the National Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) coordinator, a nationwide interdenominational Christian group.

Upon the merit of his several years of service in the church and nation, the Rev. Akinpelu James Lawal felt called and was later made deacon in 2020 and

ordained a priest in 2021 in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. He has a beautiful God-given family; a beautiful wife (Ife) and two adorable sons (Josiah and Peniel). Akinpelu (James) is a graduate of both the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, and the Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Akure, Nigeria, where he earned his first degrees, Economics 2085228465 and Theology 2085228465 respectively.

In his priestly duties, he served as the Chaplain to the Archbishop of Lagos

Province and Chapel rector and later served as the Curate and Youths Chaplain of Isara Archdeaconry seat in Remo Anglican Diocese, Church of Nigeria. In September 2023, he proceeded to the United States to earn a Master of Arts degree in Theology at Luther Seminary in St Paul, Minnesota.

Bishop Jos Tharakan, born in Kerala, India, has followed God’s call since the age of 15. Ordained in 1994, and later received into The Episcopal Church, his Franciscan vocation centers on the call to “Rebuild My Church.” He describes his ministry as walking with others on the Emmaus road—listening, loving, and living authentically. A husband, father, and grandfather, he is also a gifted artist, composer, and digital creator. For him, the post-pandemic church is a new frontier of small communities, intergenerational growth, and digital ministry—an opportunity for God’s Spirit to renew and transform.

The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, elected presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church in June 2024, began his nine-year term on November 1. As chief pastor and CEO of the church, he brings both pastoral wisdom and visionary leadership. Widely recognized for his expertise in organizational learning and adaptive change, Bishop Rowe is committed to strengthening local ministry and mission, equipping the church to serve with creativity and courage in a rapidly changing world.

Ordained bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania in 2007, he has faithfully led the church through seasons of renewal, including serving as bishop provisional of Bethlehem and forging a bold partnership between Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. A graduate of Grove City College, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Gannon University, his scholarship in leadership is matched by his devotion to Christ’s mission. Bishop Rowe embodies a hopeful vision: a church rooted in faith, resilient in change, and alive in love.