Message From The Bishop

Bishop Jake Owensby

The Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, Ph.D., D.D. was consecrated and seated as the IV Bishop of Western Louisiana on Saturday, July 21, 2012 in St. Mark’s Cathedral, Shreveport. At the time of his election on April 21, 2012, he was serving as Dean of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Shreveport.

Asked about his thoughts on becoming bishop, Owensby said, “My pledge is to remember every day that love is the bottom line. Jesus has called me to love his wonderful people in this diocese and to keep us focused on the inspiring message of God’s relentless love for us in Jesus Christ. I’m looking forward to nurturing our clergy and strengthening our congregations to deliver that message to a wounded world.”

A graduate of the School of Theology at Sewanee, Bishop Owensby was ordained to the diaconate and then to the priesthood in 1997 in the Diocese of Florida. He served on staff at St. Mark’s, Jacksonville as assistant rector for Christian Formation until accepting a call to be the rector of St. Stephen’s in Huntsville, Alabama. In 2003, Bishop Owensby became rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in metropolitan St. Louis and served there until coming to St. Mark’s, Shreveport in the fall of 2008.

Before ordination, Owensby earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from Emory University (1985) where he also received an M.A, and a B.A. At Jacksonville University he served on the philosophy faculty and taught the History of Philosophy and a range of advanced and introductory courses.

Bishop Owensby is married to the love of his life and best friend, Joy. They have three children: Andrew, Meredith, and Patrick.