Our Priests and Clergy

Father Phil+ and Deaconess Lydia Leake have faithfully served the Lord in various ministries for over five decades. They spent 13 years with Christian Missionary Fellowship, and engaged in campus ministry and outreach at Colorado State University and Long Beach State University. Father Phil+ then served as a missionary for them in Indonesia for 3.5 years. For 9 years, Father Phil+ taught jail and prison seminars through Prison Fellowship. Father Phil+ holds a B.A. in Management of Human Resources from Colorado Christian University. They began attending the church in 1995, were both ordained as deacons in 2006, and Father Phil+ was ordained as a priest in 2015. Their lives as a family have been indelibly and eternally blessed and shaped through 30 years of growing and serving as members of COCOA, and they are deeply thankful for the beautiful Faith family they are privileged to be part of.

Father Terrance Lamont Gilchrist+, aka Father Gil+, has faithfully served in church in many roles throughout his life. He began ministry as a youth pastor and later served as an elder for more than 13 years before being ordained a priest in 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2012, he became part of the Christian Orthodox Church of America, where he continues to serve with dedication and pastoral care.

Father Gil+ currently resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Kristal, and remains committed to building up the body of Christ through teaching, prayer, and a steadfast love for the Church.

Deacon Severus, also known as Jeremy Crispin, first encountered the joy of fellowship and faith as a youth in the Grace Church youth group in Grand Junction, Colorado. He first attended the COCOA on July 2, 2002, and was ordained as a deacon on September 7, 2007. Two scriptures that hold special meaning for him are “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). 

Deaconess Frances Fisher has assisted in the music ministry and has joyfully served in Children’s Ministry for more than ten years, leading and teaching classes that help nurture the faith of the youngest members of our church family. She first came to the church in 1997 and was ordained as a deaconess on September 3, 2006. Over the years, she has seen the hand of God at work in countless ways, testifying to His grace and mercy in every season. She is deeply grateful for the ways the Lord has always made a way and continues to guide her steps.

Deacon Caleb Kloeckner has been part of the church for his entire life—literally, since he was just three days old. As the son of a youth pastor, he grew up deeply rooted in ministry, first attending the Christian Orthodox Church of America as a child. At the age of 14, Caleb became an acolyte and also joined the production team, assisting with video and sound to help share the church’s message.

At just 22 years old, Caleb was ordained as a deacon. Over the years, he has led men’s and youth groups, helped guide catechism classes, and continued to serve faithfully. Still active on the production team, he works to broadcast services across the globe. Caleb carries a strong calling to use technology as a tool for ministry, ensuring the gospel reaches far beyond the church walls.

Deacon Damion has been a member of the COCOA since 2004, and was ordained as a deacon in 2015.  Damion, his wife Rhonda, and two children, Mia and Draden, were drawn to this community by the love of the people and the mission of the ministry more than two decades ago.  Through his journey of faith, the joy and pain of servanthood, Damion has established roots that cannot be broken.  He believes that fulfilling our purpose for the glory of God lies within the heart of true community, and the sacrificial bonds of covenant.  

Deacon Todd Sivers joined the Christian Orthodox Church of America in 1997 and was ordained as a deacon in July 2015. Prior to joining COCOA, he graduated from Rocky Mountain Bible Institute in 1998, receiving formal theological education and ministry training. Over the years, he has served as both a youth pastor and youth leader, guiding young people in their spiritual growth and mentoring individuals in their personal and faith development.

A devoted husband and father, Deacon Todd has been married to his wife, Deaconess Jessica, since 1999, and together they are blessed with four children. One of his favorite scriptures is 2 Peter 1:4, which speaks of the divine nature, and he firmly believes, “You can’t fulfill your purpose until you know who you are.”

From a young age, Deacon Jessica Sivers has had a steadfast love for the Church and the life of faith. She came to COCOA in February 1997 and was ordained as a deacon on June 8, 2025. She has been married to Deacon Todd since June 1999, and together they have been blessed with four children. Jessica has a deep passion and vision for ensuring that the Orthodox faith is passed down from generation to generation, nurturing a living legacy of devotion to Christ within her family and the church community.