The Rt. Rev. Brian L Cole
Bishop of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee
bcole@dioet.org
865-966-2110, ext. 113
Bishop Brian is our chief priest and pastor. His ministry serves, supports and expands the mission of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee which is Reconciling All Things in Christ. Almost every Sunday, he visits a different congregation. Contact Bishop Brian for pastoral care of clergy and families; faith crises; consecrations; blessings; services of confirmation and reception; renewals of ministry.
Jesse Adkins
Missioner for Youth and Young Adults
Jesse grew up in Atlanta, GA and has been a life-long Episcopalian. He is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a B.A. in Political Science (you will not catch him wearing orange around Knoxville). During his summers in college, he worked on summer staff at Camp Mikell in Toccoa, GA. He also served as the youth director at both All Saints’ (Warner Robins) and St. Columba’s in the Diocese of Atlanta.
Upon graduating college, Jesse spent two years working in Georgia politics on U.S. Senate campaigns and as a legislative aide for the state legislature. In April of 2022, Jesse set out to pursue his life-long dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. He spent the next 5 months hiking from Georgia to Maine, having a transformative spiritual journey.
After finishing the AT, Jesse moved to the mountains of Colorado to work seasonally at ski resorts. During the summer of 2023, in between ski seasons, Jesse was on summer staff at Duncan Park, an Episcopal adventure camp in the beautiful Indian Peaks region of Colorado. While serving at Duncan Park, he felt the call to do full-time youth and camp ministry.
Jesse joined the Diocese of East Tennessee in April 2024 to serve as the Missioner for Youth & Young Adult Ministry and Summer Program Director at Grace Point. Jesse brings a passion for building intentional, faith-centered community and helping young people navigate the challenges of adolescence. In his free time, Jesse enjoys hiking, climbing, skiing, playing mandolin, and going to shows to see his favorite bluegrass and jam bands.
The Venerable Canon Jerry Askew, PhD
Interim Canon to the Ordinary and Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee
jaskew@dioet.org
865-966-2110, ext. 111
The Venerable Canon Jerry Askew, PhD currently serves as Interim Canon to the Ordinary and Archdeacon for the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee as well as deacon at St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville. Jerry’s whole life, both in the Church, in higher education, philanthropy, health care, and non-profit leadership has been about identifying, raising up and equipping servant leaders. Contact him for our parish search process; updating clergy and lay professional resumes and OTM profiles; and the “Emmaus Road” program for clergy in transition.
Mary Embler
Diocesan Administrator
membler@dioet.org
865-966-2110, ext. 116
Contact Mary for resources for your parish treasurer, grants, and healthcare and benefits concerns.
Mary is a Knoxville native and has been a member of Good Samaritan in Knoxville for 36 years. Connection in the community is important to Mary and pretty much everywhere she goes, she knows someone.
She is a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Accounting and Management. She’s worked in the accounting field, with 26 years spent at Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc. in various accounting/management roles, serving as Chief Financial Officer for the last 14 years.
Mary and her husband Doug have hearts for animals and rescued “Bug the Dog”. Mary says that actually Bug rescued them and although she’s a mess, they love her. Mary also loves her “grandfurs” and “grandchickens.”
Canon Beverly Hurley Hill
Canon for Mission and Lay Ministry
bhurleyhill@dioet.org
205-213-6640
Contact Beverly about Licensed Lay Ministries, Missional Practices, Christian Formation, Spiritual Direction, and Diocesan Annual Convention.
Beverly moved to Signal Mountain, TN in 2015 after more than 50 years in Birmingham, AL. Before her work with the diocese, she was an executive project manager for an insurance company, held several roles in software development, provided technical recruiting, and spent most of her free time in lay leadership for episcopal churches in AL. She enjoys flat-water kayaking; walking the neighborhood; spirituality retreats; music festivals; and time with her husband Derrick.
Jon Humber
Episcopal Engagement Specialist
jhumber@dioet.org
865-966-2110 ext. 113
Contact Jon for appointments with the Bishop, changes to contact information/canonical residency, background checks, or questions about discernment and matters relating to the Commission on Ministry.
Jon grew up in East Tennessee, splitting time between the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas, and has been a chorister at St. John’s Cathedral since 2000. He also served as a band director in Knox County public schools for 16 years, and he plays trombone for various civic and church functions around town. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Music Education in 2003, but he has a wide variety of career experience from outdoor education and adventure activities to First Responder training and public health emergency response.
Jon and his wife Kathryn live in north Knoxville with their precocious dog and even more precocious son. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, working on their 100-year-old house, tending the yard, arranging (and occasionally composing) music, and riding bikes.
The Rev. Brad Jones
Executive Director, Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center
Contact Brad for summer camp; camp registration; Grace Point facilities; donating funds or furnishings to Grace Point; directions to Grace Point.
Brad moved to East Tennessee after graduating from General Theological Seminary in July 2012. He has been the priest at St. Andrew’s, Harriman since 2016. He has been married to his wife Gale for over 20 years and they have two children, Addison and Parker. Brad and Gale have been involved in youth work and camp ministry since their college years. He enjoys hiking and fishing, spending time with family and friends, and his dogs Kate and Ella. He looks forward to another wonderful summer at Grace Point, and spending time with the youth of our diocese and the incredible summer staff.
Emily Kirk
Parish Support Specialist
Contact Emily for Parish Reporting, Safe Church Safe Communities, and Facility Reservations.
Emily grew up in Knoxville and is a lifelong member of St. Elizabeth’s in Farragut. She attended Grace Point Summer Camp and was active in Diocesan Events throughout her time as a youth.
Before returning home to finish her studies Emily worked in Liverpool, England with the Diocesan Social Justice Team and Food Poverty Program where she managed the Cathedral Food Bank and other special projects. A few highlights of her time in Liverpool include helping with the Triangle of Hope Pilgrimage, traveling to Taizé, and going to Premier League games.
In her time away from work Emily enjoys everything soccer, camping trips, scuba diving, and watching Formula 1 with her family.
Brother Andrew Aelred Morehead
Missioner for Communications and Evangelism
amorehead@dioet.org
865-966-2110, ext. 115
Andrew is a life professed companion in The Ecumenical Order of Charity, a religious community whose members are called to be the living embodiment of three particular charisms: Charity, Availability, and Ecumenism. He serves as the Admissions Coordinator for inquirers to the Order and as their Communications Director.
In his off time, Andrew enjoys reading, knitting, and gaming. He enjoys working and gardening at his cozy home in Maryville alongside Dylan, his partner, and Bentley their Parti-Poodle (who you may meet at the Diocesan House). Andrew also volunteers at Tyson House Episcopal Lutheran Ministry on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
He brings great energy and a passion for The Episcopal Church and is gifted in helping us tell the story of following Jesus in an Episcopal context in the 21st century.
Andrew grew up in Lyman, South Carolina, in the Presbyterian USA denomination and moved to Knoxville in 2010. He was confirmed at Church of the Ascension in 2013. Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, in sacred music. He holds a master’s degree in music and organ performance from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He is a member of the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Public Relations Society of America (Non-Profit Sector and Volunteer Chapter), and the Professional Photographers of America.
Jerry Lee
Canine to the Ordinary
Contact Jerry Lee for good vibes.
Jerry Lee moved to East Tennessee after his dad got elected bishop in 2017. As “canine to the ordinary,” Jerry Lee is responsible for spreading his furry love throughout the diocese. You can find his two-dimensional form wandering from parish to parish, always ready for a photo. Jerry Lee enjoys visiting his godmother Mary Kay and girlfriend Doris, sitting on the front porch, a good nap, and tasty treats from Jon’s desk.