Guest Preacher June 29: The Rev. Michael R.Sullivan

June 25, 2025

On Sunday, June 29 we will welcome the Rev. Michael R. Sullivan, President & CEO of Kanuga Conference Center, to the St. James pulpit. Rev. Sullivan is leading a portion of the St. James Cathedral Chapter (elected governing board) retreat on Saturday and we're delighted that he'll be with us on Sunday as well. 

The Rev. Michael R. Sullivan became Kanuga’s 10th president in 2016, bringing with him a deep love for sacred places, strategic vision, and a gift for guiding communities through times of transformation. In the years following COVID-19, he has led Kanuga through a remarkable season of renewal—preserving its beloved traditions while adapting boldly to the needs of a changing world.

Under his leadership, Kanuga has reimagined its role as a sanctuary for the spirit: a place not only to retreat but to rediscover purpose, deepen connection, and inspire action. From launching Kanuga Fellows: Leadership Renewed to building stronger pathways for sustainability, spiritual formation, and hospitality, Michael has helped shape a future that is both grounded and expansive in The Episcopal Church and wider world. 

A native of Seneca, South Carolina, Michael holds a Master of Divinity from The University of the South (Sewanee), a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Wofford College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

“Sometimes I still pinch myself driving onto this land,” he says. “We’ve inherited a place with centuries of sacred gathering—from the Indigenous stewards of this region to the visionaries who founded Kanuga in 1928. It’s always been a place that calls people home to who they are. Now, after all we’ve lived through, I believe Kanuga has an even greater role to play in healing, reimagining, and equipping people to lead lives of meaning.”

Michael is the author of Windows into the Soul and Windows into the Light (Morehouse Publishing), exploring the role of art in the spiritual journey. He has served on many nonprofit boards, including as a Regent of The University of the South and President and board member of the Episcopal Parish Network. 

When not working, he enjoys cooking, fitness, gardening, fly fishing, hiking, and writing.