Bishop Craig Loya

The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya is the X Bishop of Minnesota

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Meet Bishop Craig Loya

The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya is the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota, which comprises one hundred faith communities, spread across rural, suburban, and urban contexts, regularly worshipping in six languages. He was consecrated on June 6, 2020. Early in his time as bishop, he led a process of priority-setting for the diocese, together identifying four core areas of focus: discipleship--daily practices that help us follow Jesus as our whole way of life; faithful innovation--joining the spirit in new ways to proclaim and live out the Gospel; justice--becoming the beloved community; and congregational vitality--thriving faith communities of all sizes and in all places.

From these priorities, the diocese is working to cultivate a diverse church ecology by focusing on the basic practices of Christian discipleship. In 2024, Loya announced the creation of a new center for lay formation designed to deepen discipleship for every Minnesota Episcopalian, nurture leaders of existing congregations, and seed the future by planting new, intentionally small, lay led and clergy-supported communities. 

Loya is a third generation Mexican-American. He was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska, and graduated from Hastings College and Yale Divinity School.  

He was ordained priest in the Diocese of South Dakota in 2003. His first ministry was serving four congregations on the Rosebud Reservation. He later served congregations in Massachusetts, on the bishop’s staff in the Diocese of Kansas, and as Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Omaha before being elected the tenth bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. He is married to Dr. Melissa Tubbs Loya, a Hebrew Bible scholar, and they have two children.

Visitation Schedule Bishop's Writings

Team of Missioners

The team of Missioners exists to nurture vital faith communities everywhere in Minnesota.

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Gretchen Beck

Director of Formation & Holy Orders
612-870-3310
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The Rev. Jeckonia Okoth

Missioner for Multicultural Ministries
612-870-3305
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Canon Kelsey Schuster

Canon for Operations and Chief of Staff
612-870-3320
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The Rev. Canon Robert Two Bulls

Missioner for the Department of Indian Work
612-870-3326
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Archdeacons

ECMN’s archdeacons help extend the reach of the bishop in the nurture and care for the community of deacons, raise the profile of the diaconate around the diocese, advise on matters related to forming and deploying our deacons, assist with deacon placement and transitions, and visit congregations to represent and educate about the order of deacons. 

Regional Deans

Regional deans support the Bishop in providing pastoral support to congregations and clergy, convene clergy in their regions, work with congregations around conflict and other challenges, support the work of elected council representatives in planning and leading Mission Area Gatherings, and meet regularly with the Bishop to offer advice and counsel on developing ministries in their regions.

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The Very Rev. Jered Weber-Johnson

Regional Dean of the East Metro Mission Area
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