The Rev. Dr. Kelly O'Lear
Saint Luke's Anglican Church, Hilton Head
50 Pope Avenue Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843)785-4099 x 223
The Rev. Dr. O’Lear came to St. Luke's as an Associate Rector in the summer of 2023. He comes from the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (JAFC), with his most recent ministry conducted at Nashotah House Theological Seminary. Adn. O’Lear served for almost 30 years in the United States Army as a Medic and then as a chaplain for most of his career. This includes over three years of combat in Afghanistan, Africa, and Iraq and training deployments in nineteen countries. Units he served as a Chaplain include Special Operations Command Africa, 82nd Airborne Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker), and Arlington National Cemetery. Academically, O’Lear served as an Associate Dean of Formation and Affiliate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Nashotah House for two years. He served as the Professor of World Religions and the Director of Regional and Cultural Studies at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School from 2014 to 2017. He’s also served as ancillary faculty to the Joint Special Operations University and taught at the United States Army Chaplain Center and School. He currently serves on the Archbishop's ACNA Consortium for Seminary Standards. He has a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Duke University, a Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque, a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University, and a host of military schools. O’Lear received the Special Operations Education Program of the Year twice. He completed the United States Military Academy “Master Teacher Program” in 2015. A decorated veteran, his awards include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Meritorious Service Medals, the Airborne Badge, and the Combat Action Badge. O’Lear was ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) 2010 by Bishop Martin Minns. He served the JAFC as Canon Treasurer and Canon Theologian before his collation to Archdeacon in supporting the JAFC Bishops with the diocese's education, formation, and training of chaplains. He also continues to teach the Certificate in Anglican Ministry program for Nashotah House, a program he successfully launched in 2022 to meet the needs of trained clergy coming into the ACNA from other denominations. He married his wife Jennifer in 1993, and they have two adult children, two children at home, one daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters.