Bishop John Luft
| Bishop John Luft | |
|---|---|
 Fr Luft Official Picture.JPG | |
| Born | San Antonio, Texas |
| 🏡 Residence | Edgecliff Village, Texas |
| 🏳️ Nationality | USA |
| 🏫 Education | A.A., B.A., MDiv |
| 💼 Occupation | Clergy in Fort Worth, Texas |
| 📆 Years active | 12 |
| 👔 Employer | Independent Catholic Ordinariate |
| 🏢 Organisation | Religious |
| www.facebook.com/jluft8056 | |
Early Life[edit]
Bishop John was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and later adopted by Mark & Diane Luft. He attended various elementary and middle schools in SAISD, and eventually graduated from Judson High School (Converse, TX) where was part of the AFJROTC (TX 91st) and Criminal Justice Internship Program.
Career[edit]
Initially called to pastoral ministry in the Baptist tradition, Bishop John accepted his call to ministry at Walker Temple AME Church under the pastorate of the Rev. CJ Walker where he was groomed for ministry and began to preach. Bishop John continued serving in ministry-related positions as a teenager until he turned 18 and accepted his formal call to ministry in the Baptist tradition at First Baptist Church San Antonio under the mentorship of Rev. Richard Grant through pastoral care and counseling. After leaving UTSA, Bishop John began his formal theological education the Baptist University of the Americas and began his first official ministry position with Beacon Hill Baptist Church (licensed) and later as the Minister of Administration for Central Baptist Church (ordained). After completing his undergraduate education he went to Washington, DC for Graduate Theological Studies at the Washington Theological Union (Roman Catholic Grad School) and then returned home the following semester to enter Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System as he discerned spiritual care as his profession instead of the pastorate. After completing his residency Bishop John returned to D.C. continuing his studies at the Union and served as Children's Minister at Washington Plaza Baptist Church having been affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the Alliance of Baptists. Bishop John transferred to Brite Divinity School in the Fall of 2012 to continue his graduate studies and completed a second CPE residency at Parkland Health & Hospital System where he was retained as a Fellow in Leadership & Management and eventually hired on permanent staff. After leaving Parkland bishop John went to work as a chaplain, bereavement coordinator and volunteer coordinator for Encompass Health - Hospice. He became part of the Catholic faith in the Spring of 2017 and was ordained to the diaconate that summer by Bishop Anthony Hash of the United American Catholic Church, and began a mission which would eventually become Saint Anne Independent Catholic Church. In 2018 bishop John was ordained to the ministerial priesthood by Bishop Hash and finally in 2021 was ordained to the episcopate by Bishop Jordan Morgan. Bishop John is also a member of a religious society of apostolic life, the Advocates of Saint Sebastian who are committed to the formation of competent ministers for service in the independent Catholic movement, the support of the LGBTQIA+ and marginalized communities, and the provision of professional spiritual care.
Personal Life[edit]
Bishop John is married to his husband, Alberto Barros-Padilla, of 7 years with three dogs and two cats in Edgecliff Village, Texas. His parents live in San Antonio, Texas along with his siblings (Amanda, Adam & Angel).
