Leadership of the Church
Our attempt on this page is to make the hierarchy of our church as simple and straightforward as possible. The Church is headed by our Archbishop, along with the Council of Bishops which work as the advisers of the Archbishop as well as lead certain aspects of our church. The Local Church is headed by a High Priest who may be assisted by various other Priests. We also have the positions of Deacon, who wishes to serve their Local Church without becoming a priest, as well as Acolytes, who are training to become priests.
Finally, but most importantly, are the Members of the Church. These are folks who believe in the Power of the Holy Light and wish to express it in their everyday lives!
Archbishop Stirling is a lifelong spiritual seeker and dedicated minister. Ordained in 1998 by the original Universal Life Church founded by Kirby Hensley, Archbishop Stirling holds two Associate Degrees from Prince George's Community College, a Bachelor of Theology from Oval Bible College, a Masters degree in Ministry Science from Abide University and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from The Universal Life Church. He also holds an Ufology Diploma from the Centre of Excellence. He has furthered his theological studies at institutions such as Hillsdale College, Washington Bible College and Andersonville Theological Seminary. Guided by a deep calling to ministry, he has studied under leaders of various religious traditions. Embracing the Call of the Light, he seeks to serve the global community with Respect, Tenacity, and Compassion.
Why the name Stirling?
The founding Archbishop of the Church of the Holy Light chose the spiritual name Stirling for its meaning—"genuine"—as a reflection of his sincere faith in the Holy Light and his deep commitment to serving the community. Additionally, Stirling is a historic place in Scotland, a land from which much of his ancestry originates. By adopting this name, he not only affirms the authenticity of his beliefs but also honors his heritage and the enduring strength of those who came before him.