My Story

Fr Mike in the Army Reserve; his family has served in every war since the Civil War — when his 4-greats grandfather fought after being emancipated in the Battle of Port Royal and Confederate abandonment of the Sea Islands in South Carolina

Fr Mike as a church organist

Fr Mike as a school bus driver: proud working class roots

Fr Mike and husband Gio

The Molinas, Est. 2012

I grew up in the Greater Reading area of Pennsylvania, raised primarily by my grandmother, who nurtured me and brought me up in the Christian faith. I attended an excellent suburban public school, where I especially thrived in music.

From a young age, I sensed a call to ministry. But as I entered adolescence and came to understand that I was queer, I feared that my identity would prevent me from answering that call. The denomination we belonged to at the time held anti-Queer beliefs, and I worried that there would be no place for someone like me in ministry.

In time, I discovered that not all Christian traditions were the same. Some were actively pushing back against heterosexism and affirming that Queer people are created and beloved by God. I found that the Episcopal Church—the American branch of the Anglican Communion—offered the most faithful expression of Christianity for me. I was drawn not only to its inclusivity but also to its catholicity, its rich liturgy, and its deep theological tradition.

As soon as I was old enough to drive, I stopped attending the church of my upbringing and began worshiping at an Episcopal parish. Before long, my family joined me there. This new understanding of Christianity helped prepare them to receive me when I came out.

At 17, I joined the Army Reserve and served as a Chaplain Assistant. I’m just old enough to have enlisted while "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" was still in effect; thankfully, it was repealed about eighteen months later.

In 2012, I met the man who would become my husband. We were married in 2018 and are now celebrating thirteen years together as a couple.

Throughout this time, I remained active in the Episcopal Church, serving as a vestry member and an organist. I also began my undergraduate studies with the intention of eventually attending seminary. I worked two jobs through most of college and seminary—first as a school bus driver, then as a federal government bureaucrat—while also caring for my aging grandmother until her passing in 2021. A global pandemic, along with the loss of several close family members, slowed me down, but I never lost sight of my calling. I was determined to honor the sacrifices my ancestors made by continuing forward.

Over the course of two years, I completed a bachelor's degree in Human Services, a graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, and a Master of Divinity. I was ordained a deacon in June 2023, began doctoral work toward a Doctor of Ministry degree, and was ordained to the priesthood in January 2024—just three days before my 32nd birthday.

I’m excited to see where God leads me next. I remain deeply committed to fostering Christian discipleship and building up both the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican tradition.

CV | The Reverend Michael Angel Molina

NON-PAROCHIAL EXPERIENCE

Holisticare Hospice, Reading, PA — Hospice Chaplain

2025 - PRESENT

Providing spiritual care and dignity in death and dying. Spiritual care visitations, grief support groups, staff spiritual care and wellness.

Co-County Wellness Services, Reading, PA — Board of Directors

2022 - PRESENT

Stewards and safeguards the organization's resources. Uses community connections to further the mission and reputation of the organization. Secured substantial donations to support specific programs.

Penn State Health, St. Joseph Medical Center — Chaplain

MARCH 2022 - PRESENT

Ministers to the spiritual, psychological and emotional needs of patients, their families and staff. Participates in the healing process of the whole person as a member of a multidisciplinary team.  Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center is a 204-bed acute care hospital serving the Berks region. It was founded in 1873 by the Fransiscan Sisters and joined the Penn State Health group in 2015.

LGBT Center of Greater Reading, Reading, PA — Board of Directors

2020 - 2023

Supported the organization in its infancy and helped establish new programming such as ‘Out In The Park’ and the ‘LGBT Gala.’ Secured substantial donations to support youth programming and food pantry.

US Census Bureau, Reading, PA — Recruiting Manager

AUGUST 2019 - SEPTEMBER 2020

Train staff, liaise with civic leaders, manage a staff of approximately 20 individuals, oversee recruiting efforts for decennial Census operations in four counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania

PARISH & DIOCESE

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF BETHLEHEM

  • Assistant Priest, Trinity Church Easton, July 2023 - July 2025: Part time, sharing in teaching, preaching, and some administrative responsibilities.

  • Member, Diocesan Council 2023-Present: Elected in a competitive race for a term on Diocesan Council, the fiduciary trustees for the Diocese of Bethlehem.

  • Member, Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force 2020-2025: Helped to craft and propose a resolution at diocesan convention for the creation of a full-time Hispanic Missioner and a resolution for the Task Force to work on identifying and eliminating overt and covert systemic racism in our diocese. Crafted the current land acknowledgement for the Diocese. 

  • Field Education Seminarian, Trinity Church Easton 2022-23: Shared preaching responsibilities and supported outreach efforts

  • Seminarian & Candidate for Priesthood, Christ Church Reading 2018-2022: Worked with rector parish leadership  to create innovative ministries such as a Pop Music Evensong and the diocese’s first permanent weekly Spanish-speaking congregation, which has become a model for church planting in the diocese.

  • Member of Vestry, St. Mary's Parish, Reading 2009-13: Led major building renovation projects. Led Hispanic outreach and membership growth initiatives.

  • Music Director, St. Mary's Parish, Reading 2009-13: Planned and provided liturgy and music for worship services as a music director.

MILITARY SERVICE

US Army Reserve, Bethlehem, PA — Chaplain Assistant 2010-2018. Honorably Discharged.

  • Administrative Assistant and force protection agent to chaplain. Assists in ensuring the mental and spiritual well-being of soldiers.

EDUCATION

Lancaster Theological Seminary (a division of Moravian University) — Doctor of Ministry, Class of 2026

Currently Enrolled. Fall 2023-present.

Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, CA  — Master of Divinity

Class of 2023, HYBRID, BERKELEY, CA

Elizabethtown College — Associate of Science in Human Services                                                                                          

Class of 2021,  ELIZABETHTOWN, PA

Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, CA  — Graduate Certificate of Theological Studies

Class of 2019, HYBRID, BERKELEY, CA

Clinical Pastoral Education

1 unit, 6 credits

MAY 2021. EASTERN MENNONITE SEMINARY, HYBRID, LANCASTER, PA