[Episcopal Preaching Foundation] The Episcopal Preaching Foundation, an independent foundation formed in 1981 by layman A. Gary Shilling to improve and enhance preaching in the Episcopal Church announces the appointment of the Rev. Diane M. Pike as executive director.

The Episcopal Preaching Foundation hosts six to eight diocesan preaching conferences per year, the annual Preaching Excellence Conference (PEP) for seminarians and the Preaching Excellence Program II (PEP II) for recently ordained priests. EPF programs have reach over 6,000 priests. The PEP program is a week-long event held in May each year, and nearly 15% of ordained priests in the Episcopal Church have attended.

“We are delighted that the Rev. Pike has joined us as our executive director,” Shilling said.” She brings a wealth of fundraising experience as well as a passion for the Foundation’s mission of spreading the Good News of the Gospel through faithful, effective and meaningful preaching.”

Pike was ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of West Missouri by Bishop Martin Field in July 2011, and to the priesthood in the Diocese of Rhode Island (for West Missouri) by Bishop David Joslyn in January 2012. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from the Seminary of the Southwest (Austin, Texas). She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Nazareth College (Kalamazoo, Michigan), a secondary teaching certificate from Madonna (College) University (Detroit, Michigan), and Master of Arts degree from Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan).

Prior to attending seminary Pike had a long career in not-for-profit management and fundraising, including serving as director of fund development for the Girl Scouts of the USA (New York). She has experience as annual and major gifts officer for several hospitals and institutions of higher education in Philadelphia and the Greater Detroit Metro area. Pike has classroom experience teaching science and social science in grades 5-10.

“Serving as Executive Director of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation provides an opportunity to blend both of my life passions—priestly ministry and resource development for this wonderful not-for-profit organization. I feel blessed to have been called to this position by Dr. Shilling and the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, and I am excited about its future.”

A Michigan native, Pike is an avid Detroit sports fan. She enjoys reading and enjoys quilting, working with hot glass, traveling and cooking. She and her Chihuahua mix rescue dog, Lexi, live in a Civil War period home in Morristown, New Jersey.