As a priest and rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina, the Reverend Raphiell Ashford brings significant experience working with children and teens from diverse populations. Prior to seminary, he worked for the Mississippi State Hospital and for Catholic Charities. Within the Episcopal Church, he has served multiple Mississippi congregations in a variety of positions both prior to and following his attendance at seminary, including organ/choirmaster, parish administrator, and vicar. Integral to his ministry at St. Luke’s are the St. Luke’s Church Feeding Ministry, which provides hot meals twice a month to community members, and the St. Luke’s Fresh Start Ministry, which operates a food pantry, clothes closet, and utility assistance to people in the greater Columbia area. Fr. Raphiell holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in General Science from Mississippi State University, along with a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary.