Mr. Ayodeji (Ayo) Omoniyi was ordained a deacon by the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Keller, on Monday, December 18, 2017. The Rev. Henry Penner, deacon at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, preached. You can listen to or read Deacon Henry’s sermon here.
https://www.stmartininthefields.org/sermons/rev-henry-penners-sermon-ayo-omoniyis-ordination/
In Ayo’s consecration, Bishop Mayer laid his hands upon his head, and prayed,
Make him, O Lord, modest and humble, strong and constant, to observe the discipline of Christ. Let his life and teaching so reflect your commandments, that through him many may come to know you and love you. As your Son came not to be served but to serve, may this deacon share in Christ’s service, and come to the unending glory of him who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Bishop Mayer announced that Ayo will serve at St. Martin’s, and after the thundering applause subsided, said, “That was the most popular thing I’ve done in a while.” St. Martin’s is blessed to have Ayo continue ministry and serve at our church; we will see him continue to lead in our worship and work among us as a vocational deacon.
See photos of the ordination and reception in St. Martin’s Flickr gallery; click and then swipe through the photos below.
Born in Nigeria, Ayo was baptized, and confirmed in the Church of Nigeria, part of the Anglican Communion. He has deep roots with other family members in church ministry. His grandfather was one of the first ordained catechists by the missionaries in Odo-owa, Ekiti State, Nigeria. His brother was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church of Nigeria at 23 years old.
Ayo came to the United States in May of 1983 to further his educational goals, first in Michigan, and then in Oklahoma. Ayo moved to Texas upon completing a Master of Criminal Justice Administration and secured employment with the Texas Youth Commission. He currently works with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as a Monitoring and Inspection Specialist (Lead). He and his family moved to Keller from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Odessa in April, 2012 and became members of St. Martin’s. He is married to Tope, and they have three beautiful and accomplished children, two in college (a house divided between Texas and Texas A&M) and one in high school.
Our deacon’s benevolence fund allows our deacons to help people in need; consider making a contribution:
Almighty God, we thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that Ayo may be to us an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with him, may serve you now, and always rejoice in your glory. Amen.