Archbishop Foley Beach — GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter, November 2020
Bishop Foley Beach has released his November 2020 GAFCON Chairman’s letter.
“As the pandemic continues amidst economic hardship, violence, wars, and injustice in so many of our provinces, let us revive our work to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and provide for the orphans and widows in our local communities. Our message of salvation in Jesus Christ not only has eternal consequences, but earthly ones as well. And while we work in our local communities, let us remember to work and pray for the Gospel to reach the billions of people on planet earth who have no way of hearing about Jesus. …”
Commending the Jerusalem Declaration
GAFCON has created a page to commend and explain the Jerusalem Declaration.
Most encouraging.
Be sure to watch the “Understanding the historical context” video on that page.
You can also assent to the Jerusalem Declaration yourself.
GAFCON Chairman’s October 2020 Letter
“Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
As I write to you, my brothers and sisters, it is the fall season here in North America. Like you, we are being challenged by the onslaught of the pandemic, but we have not lost hope and we are confident in the faithfulness of the Lord that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 10:35), and that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Please continue to pray for the Lord to relieve the world of this pandemic, guide the medical and health officials and the politicians in their decisions, and bring healing to those who have the coronavirus. …”
– GAFCON Primates Council Chairman, Archbishop Foley Beach, calls for continued prayer – including for Archbishop Ben Kwashi – in his October Letter.
Frontline church leader battles cancer
“There’s been a worldwide prayer request for one of Africa’s senior church leaders, who has been hit by colon cancer.
Archbishop Ben Kwashi, the general secretary of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) and Archbishop of Jos in Nigeria, has begun treatment after being diagnosed last month. …”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Archbishop Ben Kwashi on colon cancer, the future of Gafcon, COVID in Africa
From Dominic Steele at The Pastor’s Heart:
“As general secretary of GAFCON, Nigeria’s Archbishop of Jos Ben Kwashi is one of the world’s most influential Anglican leaders.
With GAFCON representing two thirds of the world’s Anglicans, Archbishop Kwashi has been described as the most influential person in the Anglican Communion.
Nine days ago rumours started to circulate on social media that he’d been diagnosed with Colon Cancer.
Archbishop Kwashi joins us to give an update on his health, the 74 orphans who live with him and his wife Gloria, plus news on navigating COVID in Africa and the future of the GAFCON.”
– Plenty to pray about. Be sure to watch or listen at The Pastor’s Heart.
Lift up your hearts – GAFCON devotions – this month by Simon Manchester
Simon Manchester is contributing October 2020’s ‘Lift up your Hearts’ devotions for GAFCON. On the book of Deuteronomy.
And see the interview with Simon on the page linked above.
(Photo: St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.)
Praying for Christians in Sudan
In a recent interview, Bishop Andudu Adam Elnail spoke about the Peace Agreement signed in Sudan earlier this month.
Fuel for prayer.
Bishop Andudu and Faith McDonnell lead GAFCON’s Suffering Church Network.
Good News from Sudan
“The Gafcon Suffering Church Network leaders, Faith McDonnell and Bishop Andudu Adan Elnail, joined Gafcon’s Everyday Global Anglicans for an interview about recent, positive developments in Sudan.
A peace agreement was signed which will have significant implications for the church in Sudan. …”
– Watch at the GAFCON website.
GAFCON Chairman’s September 2020 Letter
“It seems trite and overused to say we are living in ‘unprecedented times.’ But the reality is that we are. These times are still ‘unprecedented.’
But they are not unique. The history of the Church is full of the changes and chances of life and the followers of Jesus continued on with His ministry and His message.
So, in the midst of these times, we press on towards Christ and His purposes for us. We go forward. Always Forward. Everywhere Forward! …”
– Archbishop Foley Beach, Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, shares encouragement in this month’s pastoral letter.
GAFCON Lift Up Your Hearts Devotions with Stephen Noll
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Noll is contributing this month to GAFCON’s “Lift Up Your Hearts” devotionals.
He is sharing on the subject of “Marriage According to the Book of Common Prayer”.
Read or listen at the GAFCON website.
You can also subscribe to daily e-mail updates.
David Short remembers J I Packer standing for the gospel
As part of an online GAFCON tribute to Dr J I Packer, Canon David Short in Vancouver remembers and gives thanks.
David’s contribution begins here. He goes on to recall the crisis in the Diocese of New Westminster from 32 minutes – but watch it all. Archbishop Ben Kwashi, Dr. Leslie Thyberg and Dr. Joel Scandrett also take part.
David mentions Packer’s essays “Why I walked” and “Speculating in Anglican Futures”.
Most encouraging.
Remembering J I Packer — GAFCON Live event
GAFCON is holding a live event to remember, and give thanks for J I Packer.
It starts at 6:00am Eastern Australian time, tomorrow (Thursday 30th July 2020).
GAFCON Chairman’s letter June 2020
“Earlier this month, I chaired a meeting of the Gafcon Primates Council. Although we could not meet face to face, there was a remarkable joy in our time together and a strong sense that God is building his kingdom as our Churches seek to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations. …”
– Read Archbishop Foley Beach’s June 2020 letter here.
Gafcon Australasian conference 2021
From Gafcon Australia:
“The Board of Gafcon Australia, along with Anglicans from both the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia (ACANZP) and the Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa New Zealand (CCAANZ), are pleased to announce a joint conference in July 2021.
While we can only dream of gathering together and travelling to other places now, we would like you to mark in your diary Mon 19th to Thu 22nd July, 2021, for this conference.”
Dr Ashley Null will be the keynote speaker.
– Pre-register your interest here.
GAFCON Australasian Celebration 2020 — Wednesday 24th June 2020
From GAFCON Australia: Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…