New Chaplain, Student Ministry Associate Named at Holy Trinity Academy and Church, Melbourne

Tucker Fleming has been named as chaplain at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Upper School in Melbourne. He is also serving as student ministry associate at Holy Trinity, Melbourne.

He looks forward to both positions. “HTEA and HTEC are incredible places,” he said. “Both organizations are seeking to use the gifts of God to serve their students and families as well as they can. There’s an ethos here to that end that’s really cool to be a part of.”

The Rev. Tom Philips, rector of Holy Trinity, couldn’t be happier that Fleming said yes to God’s call to serve at the church and school. “I really do feel that the Lord called him to this position, and I think he’s an answer to prayer in so many ways,” he said. “His love for Christ is exemplary, and his experience ministering to students in both church and school settings makes him the right candidate to continue strengthening the growing partnership between Holy Trinity Church and School. His experience, personality and character are a perfect fit for us, and I’m excited to see the fruit that I know will come from his ministry.”

Fleming first felt God’s call on his life sometime in high school. “I might not have known it then and certainly wouldn’t have used that vocabulary,” he explained. “That said, my high school years are when I first remember a few godly mentors pushing me to consider ministry as a vocation, and it’s the first time I can remember taking that suggestion seriously. As the years went by, the Lord was gracious to continue developing in me the desire to pursue ministry as a vocation, while also pairing that with wonderful folks who influenced me and helped me work out what that might look like.”

His calling has led to over 10 years in ministry, most of which he has spent in the Presbyterian Church. Most recently, he served as director of youth and family ministry programs at Decatur Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia. He also served as director of ministry development for Rooted Ministry. He has written about youth ministry for The Gospel Coalition, as well as writing group Bible studies on Philippians and Genesis for Rooted.

He holds a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School and a B.A. in sociology from Mississippi State University. He and his wife, Kaleigh, have one son, Owen, 5.

Fleming will soon enter the diocesan discernment process toward ordination to the priesthood. “I’m really looking forward to spending time with a Parish Discernment Committee at Holy Trinity,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll have a lot of knowledge and wisdom that I haven’t gained yet as a fairly new Episcopalian. What’s more, I’m excited to hear and learn from them about how I can continue to develop and be developed as a minister over these next couple of years.”

Philips shares Fleming’s excitement about the discernment process. “That step will integrate him even further into the life and rhythm of the church, which will be a tremendous blessing for our parishioners,” he said. “Tucker has skills and gifts that our parish will benefit from. We’re so glad he’s here and look forward to all that God will do in him and through his ministry.”

Fleming is excited to see what God will do through his new positions. “The people of HTEA and HTEC are what make these places what they are, so what I’m most looking forward to is getting to know the people of both places, learning from them and walking with the Lord with them,” he said.

He sees God’s hand in his journey. “The Lord’s been really kind to set one piece in place after another down here to make this happen,” he said. “I’m super thankful for how he’s orchestrated this whole process.”