Father Jason Epps, Senoia, has joined the staff of the Cathedral of Christ the King in a full-time capacity. Epps already serves as the Dean of the Cathedral but will also be assuming the role of Administrative Pastor. In the Charismatic Episcopal Church, the bishop of the diocese serves as the Cathedral rector while the Dean serves as the rector during the absences or illnesses of the bishop. A Dean therefore serves, in essence, as the Senior Associate Pastor while the bishop is present. Should the bishop become incapacitated or is otherwise unable to perform his duties, the Dean assumes the pastorate until a new rector is appointed.
Epps was born in Kingsport, TN, the first of three sons born to David and Dr. Cynthia Douglas Epps. One of his earliest memories was when, at age three, he gave his heart to Jesus.
Growing up in Georgia, Epps earned his black belt in Okinawan Isshin-Ryu karate at age 14 (later earning his 2nd degree black belt) and discovered football. He played Offensive Guard and Defensive End for the McIntosh High School Chiefs and received the 1989 Offensive Lineman of the Year Award. He received a football scholarship to Olivet Nazarene University and later transferred to Georgia State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
Jason met and married Jessica Paula Pierce of Griffin, GA, and, after graduation, was sworn in as a police officer with the Peachtree City Police Department. He and Jesse are charter members of Christ the King. During his police career, he was a patrolman, a detective, and a supervisor. He was certified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Hostage Negotiator, and in 2000 he received the Police Officer Purple Heart for injuries received in the line of duty.
In 2004 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Epps served as the senior Firearms Instructor and as a member of the Honor Guard/Saber Team. He was one of a handful of police officers nationwide annually selected to attend and graduate from the prestigious three month-long FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. He served as a Detective Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigations Division until completing his law enforcement career after 20 years of service.
In 2005, Jason began the Master of Ministry Program at Saint Michael’s Seminary and was ordained into the diaconate in the Mid-South Diocese by Bishop John Holloway in 2006. In 2007, Bishop Holloway suffered a massive stroke and Father David Epps was elected to serve as the Bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-South.
Following his graduation from St. Michael’s Seminary with a Master of Ministry degree, Epps was ordained to the priesthood by his father. He is a member of the Rector’s Council at Christ the King, the Diocesan Bishop’s Council, and is also the Diocesan Investigator in the event allegations are lodged against clergy of the diocese. He is president of the Warriors Motorcycle Club, a ministry of Christ the King and is the Lead on the Response Team of the Sword and Shield Ministry. Prior to his new position, he was a senior project manager for Tyler Technologies, the largest software company in the nation solely focused on providing integrated software and technology services to the public sector.
Father Jason and his wife, Jessica, have four children, Victoria Epps Buth (married to Joshua Buth), Isaac, Eliana and Rebekah.
