Our Story & Vision

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God…” – Psalm 46:4

A New Work Rooted in Ancient Faith

The Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America (CEC-NA) was born from a longing—a longing for a church that is deeply rooted in the historic faith, fully open to the power of the Holy Spirit, and passionately committed to sharing the Gospel.

We didn’t break away from another denomination. We didn’t split over doctrine. We were drawn together by the Holy Spirit and burdened by a shared vision: to become a unified church flowing from three great streams of Christianity—evangelical, charismatic, and sacramental—in one living expression of faith.

The Vision: A Church of Convergence

In a time when many churches emphasized one stream at the expense of the others, we heard the Spirit calling us to rediscover the fullness of the Christian life. The result was a new jurisdiction built not on division, but on convergence.

We believe the Church is healthiest when it embraces:

 

  • The evangelical clarity of Scripture and the message of salvation in Christ,

     

  • The charismatic life of the Spirit with His gifts, power, and presence,

     

  • The sacramental richness of ancient liturgy and real encounters with grace.
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This convergence creates a church that is both ancient and modern, reverent and joyful, structured and Spirit-led.

Our Origin Story

The seeds of this movement were planted in 1977, when a group of evangelical leaders signed what became known as The Chicago Call, a bold appeal for Christians to rediscover the historic roots of the faith. Their cry for spiritual depth and apostolic continuity became the heartbeat of what would eventually form the ICCEC (International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church).

On June 26, 1992, after much prayer, study, and discernment, Pastor Randolph Adler was consecrated as our first bishop. Since then, CEC-NA has grown into a communion of churches across the United States and beyond, drawing members from Pentecostal, Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox, and evangelical backgrounds.

Where We’re Going

We are not just preserving tradition—we are proclaiming the Kingdom of God in every generation. We envision churches that are:

  • Spirit-filled and reverent, celebrating the Eucharist while making space for the gifts of the Spirit.

     

  • Missional and pastoral, reaching the broken and building up believers.

     

  • Unified and diverse, welcoming people of all backgrounds and leading them into the life of the Church.

    Our calling is simple:

To reach the least, the lost, and the lonely with the love of Jesus Christ.

Our Structure Reflects Our Calling

Our leadership is apostolic and relational—bishops, priests, deacons, and laity discerning God’s will together in prayer. Decisions are made not by political pressure but by spiritual consensus, led by the Holy Spirit.

We believe every baptized Christian is a minister, and every local church is called to be a beacon of light in its community.