Christ Church Accokeek

The Rev. Father Brian Vander Wel

43rd Rector of Christ Church

 

As his last name suggests, Father Brian (or Pastor Brian, if you prefer) comes from Dutch ancestory. He grew up in the Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI graduating from Calvin College in 1990 with a B.A. in philosophy.

 

In 1992, he became the lay-campus ministry at Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh, PA with the Coalition for Christ Outreach. It was there that his deep love and commitment to Anglicanism began. Through the leadership of The Rev. Dr. J. Douglas McGlynn, Church of the Ascension embodied much of the best of what the evangelical, catholic and charismatic traditions of the Church offer. He was confirmed an Episcopalian in January, 1993.

 

In 1996, he began his seminary training at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry where he graduated in 1999 with a Masters of Divinity with Honors. He was ordained deacon, then priest by The Right Rev. Robert Duncan in the same year. After spending a couple of years serving short-term and temporary positions in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, he became Assistant to the Rector (later Associate Rector) in 2001 at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, VA. He served there until he was elected Rector of Christ Church in Accokeek and began serving in January of 2007.

 

It was in Pittsburgh in 1993 that he met and married his wife, Beth. She gave birth to their son, Doug, in 2004 in Charlottesville.

 

Father Brian is deeply committed to people knowing and loving God, through his Son, Jesus Christ.