Meet Our Team
Reverend Lawrence Nwachukwu
frnwachukwu@sfxstillwater.org
Father Lawrence’s journey to the catholic priesthood began at an early age in 1983 when he entered the Minor Seminary. At the completion of the Minor Seminary training, he proceeded to the Major Seminary for his Philosophical and Theological studies. At the end of all the required studies and training, he was ordained a Priest for the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Imo State in Nigeria on July 24, 1999. He marks his 25th priestly anniversary (Silver Jubilee) on July 24, 2024.
After his priestly ordination in 1999, he served briefly as an Associate Pastor and was appointed Assistant Secretary/Archivist to the Archbishop of Owerri. He did this assignment for about two years and proceeded to teach Liturgy and Religious Studies in the Minor Seminary for another two years. Afterward, he moved to Rome, Italy, for advanced studies. He studied at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, and specialized in Patristic Theology.
After his advanced studies in Rome, he returned to his home diocese in Nigeria and was appointed by the Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province to teach in one of the largest Seminaries in West Africa, the Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri. While teaching in the Seminary, he also served as the Seminary Clinic Director and Moderator of the official Seminary Magazine. He was further appointed as a member of the Priests On-going Formation Commission, the Theology Commission, the Evangelization and Inculturation Commission, and the Board of Examiners of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. He taught in the Seminary for 10 years and finished his tenure as the First Vice Rector of the Seminary before coming to the Diocese of Tulsa for pastoral ministry. Prior to his arrival in the Diocese of Tulsa, he had done pastoral work in Nigeria, Italy, Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
He began his pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Tulsa as Associate Pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Stillwater, from 2017 to 2018. Since July 2018, he has been the Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sallisaw, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Cookson, St. Kateri Catholic Church in Roland, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Webbers Falls.
In his free time, he enjoys reading, listening to music, and quiet time on biblical reflections. His special scripture text comes from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians: “Nothing can outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord. For His sake, I have accepted the loss of all things if only I can gain Christ and be found in Him…” (Philippians 3: 8-9).
He is excited about returning to Stillwater to begin his new assignment as the Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He looks forward to sharing the “Joy of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium – Pope Francis) with the Stillwater Catholic Community and Payne County. It is a homecoming for him.
Reverend Daniel Campos
frcampos@sfxstillwater.org
Email - frcampos@sfxstillwater.org
Clergy
Religious Education Team
Lori Wieder - Director of Religious Education
lori@sfxstillwater.org
Reece Pagel - Coordinator of Youth Ministry
youth@sfxstillwater.org
Gabby Torres - Coordinadora del Ministerio Hispano y Registros Sacramentales
gabby@sfxstillwater.org
Early Childhood Development Center
Mission Support Team
Deacon Randy Hearn - Director of Administration
dcnhearn@sfxstillwater.org
Leah Benjamin - Finance Manager
leah@sfxstillwater.org
Rob Ponce - Communications & OCIA Coordinator
communications@sfxstillwater.org
becatholic@sfxstillwater.org
Karen Bisges - Parish Office Assistant
karen@sfxstillwater.org
Brandi Bishop - Parish Nurse
brandi@sfxstillwater.org
Cindy Beckman - Sacramental Records
cindy@sfxstillwater.org
Worship Team
Matt Cabeen - Music Ministry
matthew.cabeen@gmail.com
Kevin Larios - Spanish Music Ministry
klarios357@earthlink.net
