Bishop Deon Johnson has appointed DeWayne Trainer as the new Diocesan Missioner for LGBTQIA+ Ministry.
DeWayne is a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue. He and his husband, Mark Pye, relocated from Atlanta in 2013 and were married at St. Peter's in 2015 on their eleventh anniversary as a couple. They live in Lindenwood Park in South City, St. Louis with their French Bulldogs, Rosé and Chère; Mr. Sousa the Cat; and their two parakeets, Lady Cora and Mrs. Patmore. Professionally, DeWayne works at Edward Jones as a Product Owner for their enterprise search platform and leads the firm's LGBTQ+ and Allies Business Resource Group which has over 1,200 members. He is also a tenor in several choirs around town and has been a soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
"I am so incredibly grateful to have found The Episcopal Church, which has given me so much, but most importantly has loved me and affirmed me as I am - a beloved child of God, living the life I was created to live," DeWayne said. "It is an honor to serve as Missioner of LQBTQIA+ Engagement and spread the love of Christ with others in LGBTQIA+ communities and hopefully, return a small portion of all I have been given. I look forward to connecting with the broader community and co-creating our future together and seeing where the Holy Spirit leads us."
DeWayne becomes the second person to lead this diocesan ministry. He follows Bren O'Connor, who recently moved to Detroit, Michigan.
Watch for news from DeWayne and updated resources on our LGBTQIA+ website page.