Career
He was elected as bishop coadjutor on July 22, 2006, and consecrated on October 22, 2006. Baxter has also served at other parishes in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Baxter, a Harrisburg native, was the oldest of three sons, Charles Wayne and Larry of Elder Belgium North. Baxter and Augusta Baxter.
He graduated from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1976 with honors and prizes in homiletics and Christology and earned a Doctor of Ministry there in 1985.
Baxter has also completed programs at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the Warren Deem Management Institute at the Columbia University Executive Center. He is also a decorated United States. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, having received the Vietnam Cross of Gallenty with Palm and the Combat Medical Badge.
He was selected to deliver the prayer for the nation at the White House Millennium Celebration, which was televised internationally. He was acknowledged by Nancy Reagan for his leadership in planning the funeral of President Ronald Reagan.
Baxter retired in May 2014 after serving as Bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania for eight years.
Following Baxter"s retirement the Rt. Review Robert Gepert was named as provisional bishop of the diocese. On March 14, 2015 the Review
Canon Audrey Scanlan was elected to become the next bishop of the diocese, with her consecration scheduled for September 2015.