Meet The Pastor
Rector Rev. Dr. James Sorvillo
A second-generation Episcopal priest, Sorvillo is a Florida native who was raised along the Atlantic coast of the state. He and his wife Debbie have been married for 34 years. They have two adult sons, Jim Jr. and Michael, as well as a 6-year-old grandson, Cooper.
After graduating from the University of Central Florida in 1987, Fr. Jim began his professional life in clinical psychology working in two clinics in the Orlando area. God eventually led him into ministry as a lay youth minister at St. James Episcopal Church in Ormond Beach until the Holy Spirit led him to discern a call to the priesthood. In 1997, he and his family moved to the School of Theology in Sewanee, Tenn. to complete his M.Div. He was hired out of seminary to serve as the assistant and school chaplain at Holy Trinity Church in Melbourne under the leadership of the then parish rector, the Rev. Dabney Smith. Following three years of ministry in Melbourne, God called him to serve at Ascension, Orlando in 2003.
In 2009, Fr. Jim began his doctoral work with the focus on congregational development and renewal. He has since used this to work as a Congregational Development Consultant with numerous churches in the Diocese of Central Florida.
During his time in the Diocese of Central Florida, Fr. Jim served in the following capacities:
Interim director of the Episcopal Counseling Center
Two, three-year terms on the Diocesan Board
One, four-year term on the Standing Committee, with two of those years as president as well as serving for three months as interim bishop during the bishop's sabbatical.
Deputy to General Convention in 2012, '15, and 18.
Chair of the Congregational Development Committee
He and Debbie and now thrilled to be serving in Clearwater Fl and look forward to great years of ministry here!