New Bishop of Exeter announced

The new Bishop of Exeter will be the Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison, Downing Street has announced, after his appointment was approved by the King.

Bishop Mike said “I am delighted, excited, and honoured to become the Bishop of Exeter.

Devon holds a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to working with its amazing churches and their communities to share the gospel message of hope, joy and wonder that is the faith we have in Jesus Christ to transform lives and restore broken situations.

“It feels significant that I am beginning my ministry here on St Petroc’s Day (4 June), known as Devon Day. This county has a wonderful mix of rural, coastal, and urban areas, not dissimilar to Suffolk where I presently minister, and I am looking forward to flying St Petroc’s flag for Devon and joining with the people in God’s mission here.”

Tour of Devon in a Day

Bishop Mike will be the 72^nd Bishop of Exeter, with care for 489 parishes across Devon (around 600 churches).

He is spending Devon Day on a whistlestop tour of the county meeting community and church representatives. He will begin the day at St. Martin’s CofE Primary School in Cranbrook, before travelling to Ten Acres Vineyard and Campsite in Winkleigh, the Unleashed Christian Theatre project in Torquay, Exeter Cathedral and Plymouth.

“He comes with wide and varied experience that is hugely relevant to our diocese, a lively and attractive faith in Jesus Christ, and a gift for leadership in mission.” The Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, Acting Bishop of Exeter

The bishop is married to Rachel, an Occupational Therapist, and they have four adult children. He was born in Bolton and is a passionate supporter of Bolton Wanderers football team, as well as being a beekeeper, keen cake baker and fan of live comedy.

He said: “I have long-standing connections with Devon – we used to holiday in North Devon every year as a child, I courted my future wife in Exeter when she was a student at St Loyes College, and I discerned a vocation to the ordained ministry while worshipping at Exeter Cathedral and a local church.”

“As Bishop for the whole of Devon, I am looking forward to providing oversight, pastoral care, prayer, fellowship, and partnership in the gospel across the whole breadth of the diocese. We are a broad church with a diversity of traditions and views, and I am committed to working together and being united in our shared mission to grow in prayer, make new disciples and serve the people of Devon with joy.”

Bishop Mike is currently the national lead bishop for Pioneer Ministry and has a track record in mission, evangelism, and discipleship. In previous roles he has had a focus on vocations, training and development for clergy and lay people. His background also includes ministry with children and families, and education chaplaincy.

He was ordained in 1990 after discerning a call to ordination following a Mathematics degree at Cambridge University. For the past eight years he has served as a suffragan bishop in Suffolk, while previously he was Director of Mission and Ministry for Leicester Diocese and before that served in inner-city and urban parishes in London following work as a management consultant and social worker.