The Reverend Lester V Mackenzie

The Reverend Lester V Mackenzie, a native of South Africa and a third generation priest, was raised and nurtured in the womb of freedom, the South African Anglican Church during Apartheid. Lester now enjoys the cool shores of the Pacific Ocean with his wife Angela Mackenzie, a fourth generation native California girl and Educator with their two sons Jonah and Oliver who romp with Lulu the family golden doodle.

Lester is currently the Associate Rector for Emerging Ministries at the Episcopal Church of St. Matthew in Pacific Palisades (Diocese of Los Angeles) under the mentorship of the energetic Reverend Canon Howard Anderson Ph.D.  Sacellum, a fresh expression of church is his current emerging ministries project. Sacellum includes the Surf Station and Sacellum Open Mic. 

Lester uses his passion for reconciliation to build radical love-based bridges between cultures and ethnicity in a world driven by anonymous intimacy. He participated in the pilot Hands In Healing initiative of peace and reconciliation started by The Right Reverend J Jon Bruno, Diocesan Bishop of Los Angeles and then sojourned to Virginia Theological Seminary to complete graduate studies in Divinity. Lester is a Deputy to the Episcopal General Convention, a member on the Commission of Ministry and part of his Diocesan Examining Chaplains. Lester is also an Apple Developer and designed an iPhone/iPad App for St. Matthew's Parish used to share sermons, video and event notifications.

As a singer and percussionist Lester uses his South African story and African musical influences to encourage self expression rooted in holy joy. Lester continues to discern creative expression of faith by making music both in is local community, with All Saints Music Company San Francisco and composing liturgy. 

Peace, love and happiness!