Rev. Aaron Rogers Announces Transition to New Ministry in Southern Ohio
Rev. Aaron Rogers, Ministry Developer for Young Adult Ministry and Priest-in-Charge of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ferguson and well-respected community leader in the St. Louis region, has announced his transition to a new pastoral role in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. His final Sunday at St. Stephen’s and the Vine will be June 1. The final date of his position as Ministry Developer has yet to be determined.
In a heartfelt letter to his congregation, Rev. Rogers shared that the annual discernment process between priest and parish had led him and his family to embrace a new calling beyond the Diocese of Missouri. “It is a time of a new life, new promises fulfilled, and new direction,” he wrote. “With a tinge of bittersweetness… Trina’ and I have discerned a new calling in ministry.”
A passionate priest, teacher, and activist, Rev. Rogers has been a pillar of the St. Louis faith and justice community. Under his leadership, St. Stephen’s became a Jubilee Ministry Center, significantly expanded its outreach and food ministry, partnered with the Ferguson Warming Center to shelter the unhoused, and fostered both spiritual and artistic enrichment through concerts, jazz vespers, and art showcases. The church also celebrated new baptisms, marriages, and moments of deep communal care and growth.
Reflecting on the journey, Rev. Rogers emphasized mutual transformation. “The hundreds of profound and proud moments cannot fit in this letter, but I will say that I am most proud of the growth that we have spurred in each other.”
Rev. Rogers’ theological and professional background is as distinguished as it is diverse. He holds degrees and certificates from institutions including Eden Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Rutgers University, and Virginia Theological Seminary. His past roles include serving at the historic Riverside Church in Harlem, NY and Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Louis’ Central West End. He is a faculty member with Project Resource, and currently serves the Diocese of Missouri as Ministry Developer for Young Adults.
In addition to his church leadership, Rogers is deeply rooted in the broader community, serving as board chair for both East Side Aligned and Faith for Justice. He is also a member of the Community Governance Board for Forward Through Ferguson’s Racial Healing and Justice Fund, and has been recognized with numerous fellowships for his leadership and preaching.
As he prepares to depart, Rev. Rogers expressed gratitude for the love and acceptance shown to his family. “Thank you for accepting and loving my family. I hope that you, too, have experienced and known our acceptance and love.”
The congregation of St. Stephen’s and the Vine will continue to be supported during this transition by Senior Warden Susan Fazio and the pastoral leadership of Bishop Deon Johnson.
Rev. Rogers, his wife Trina’, and their two daughters, Cameron and Olivia, will carry the love of their Ferguson congregation with them into their next chapter. “We are united through Christ always and nothing can sever us from God’s love,” he reminded his community.
As the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio prepares to welcome Rev. Rogers, the St. Louis faith community bids farewell to a servant leader whose impact will be felt for years to come.