Balancing his Navy duties with his seminarian requirements, Fr. Austin completed his Master of Divinity degree in four years, graduating Magna Cum Laude in June 2006, and began attending Saint Anne's Anglican Church in Oceanside, Calif., as part of the Diocese of Bolivia, in the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.  He was ordained a deacon in January 2007, four days before his retirement from the Navy following 24 years of service. Three weeks later, the newly ordained Deacon Austin began a church plant, Holy Faith Anglican Church, in the South Bay area of San Diego. 

Fr. Austin was ordained a priest in September 2007, again in the Diocese of Bolivia, and continued his training and education in service and counseling. Working closely with other Anglican clergy in the region, Fr. Austin was called from San Diego to serve as vicar in a new leadership model at Christ the Redeemer in Yuma. He was installed as rector July 1.

Fr. Austin is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor, under the auspices of the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors (BCPPC) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).He is also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and Pastoral Crisis Intervention through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Additionally, Fr. Austin has been trained and credentialed as a Certified Christian Family Mediator and Professional Life Coach.  Other educational degrees include a master of science degree in international relations from Troy State University and a bachelor of science degree (Magna Cum Laude) in management from University of Maryland.