Executive Pastor Paul Wrigley

Pastor Paul R. Wrigley

Pastor Paul R. Wrigley

Executive Pastor

Pastor Paul Wrigley joined Covenant as Executive Pastor in October 2011. He and his wife, Kay, moved to Naples upon his retirement from the United State Navy after 35 years of commissioned service.

He graduated from the United Sates Naval Academy and joined the Navy on June 2, 1976. By 1978, he had completed flight training and earned his wings as a naval aviator. He flew the A-6 Intruder with Attack Squadron 85 from 1979 to 1981, making two deployments to the Mediterranean aboard USS Forrestal (CV 59). He then served two years as flight instructor and Landing Signal Officer in Training Squadron 23, teaching student pilots to land on aircraft carriers.

In 1983, Paul left active service to attend Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1987 and received the Alma Smeland Award for the highest grade point average. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America the following year.

In 1989, Paul reentered active service as a chaplain. For the next two years, he served on the USS Horne (CG 30) in the Arabian Gulf for Desert Storm. He then served as staff chaplain at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, from 1991-1994. Paul graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in June 1995 and then completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase II at the Armed Forces Staff College. He served with the Chaplain Resource Board from 1995-1997 and Regional Support Group, Norfolk, from 1997-2000.

From 2000 to 2003, Paul served as the Assistant Wing Chaplain for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, followed by duty as the Group Chaplain for 3d Force Service Support Group, both in Okinawa, Japan. From 2003 to 2005 he served as the Command Chaplain aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). He was the command chaplain for North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command in Colorado Springs from 2005 to 2008. His last Navy assignment was Command Chaplain for United States Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and Master of Divinity from Biblical Theological Seminary, Hatfield, Pennsylvania. He is a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, earning a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is published in the Naval War College Review, Spring 1996, for an article entitled “The Impact of Religious Belief in the Theater of Operations.”

Paul and Kay, who have been married since 1982, have three children, Philip, Alicia and Gabrielle Milacci, who is married to Stephen, and two grandchildren, Christian and Madelyn.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9