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.
One Year in Sydney: An Interview with David Robertson
You may recall David Roberston’s interview with The Australian Church Record in July 2018. At the time, asked about his impressions of Sydney Anglicans, he said,
“I came here expecting to learn a great deal about evangelism. I have learnt about church structures, praise, organisation and leadership training – all of which is essential. But in my limited experience I’m not convinced that evangelism is a strong point amongst Sydney Anglicans (or indeed some other Christians).”
That’s what’s behind the beginning of David’s answer in this new interview with the ACR:
“I think what has happened is a warning to those of us who have big mouths – or at least think out loud!
After I spoke to you, I returned home to my church in Scotland, safe in the knowledge that I would not have to put into practice what I suggested. But the Lord had other ideas! Peter Kaldor of City Bible Forum challenged me to come to Sydney and put into practice the ideas I was talking about.
Through a variety of push and pull factors it was made clear to myself and my wife, Annabel, that the Lord was calling us here. In one sense it was a hard decision – giving up home, country and a now well-established church to come to the unknown.
But the opportunity to set up a new evangelistic opportunity called Third Space, and to work with Steve McAlpine and CBF, was one that ultimately, we could not refuse. …”
Happy 95th birthday to Dick Lucas
Today marks the 95th birthday of Dick Lucas, born on this day in 1925.
Dick served as Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate in London from 1961 to 1998.
We can be thankful to God for using Dick to help so many preach God’s Word faithfully.
St. Helen’s has more than 1700 talks by Dick available on their website.
Bishop of Armidale flags return to parish ministry — at Shoalhaven Heads
“This has not been an easy decision but nor was the call to be a Bishop, but what a privilege it has been to serve among you.
In my time as Bishop I have watched the suffering of a drought affected rural diocese and stood beside and with you in such suffering. I have ordained and appointed many of you to positions. Like yourselves, I have lived with the frustrations of what can and can’t be done and been forced, like all of you, to fall back on our great God in faith. …”
– from Bishop Rick Lewers’ message to the clergy and parishes of the Armidale Diocese.
Please do pray for Rick and Janene, for the parish of Shoalhaven Heads, and also for the saints in the Diocese of Armidale.
Archbishop Glenn Davies on being a father
For his online service for Father’s Day, Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, spoke with Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies.
He began by asking Glenn about how he felt when he learned he would become a father for the first time.
Claire Smith interviewed on The Lydia Project
On the latest edition of The Lydia Project podcast, Tori Walker speaks with Claire Smith.
In the 30 minute conversation, Claire shares how she came to Christ.
She also speaks about how important it is for Bible-believing Christians to serve on committees, about the Gospel Coalition Australia, culture wars, and – most encouragingly – how good it is to know Christ.
Archbishop Glenn Davies shares his personal response to COVID-19
In this weekend’s online service for the Diocese of Bathurst, Bishop Mark Calder asks Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies about how COVID-19 has impacted him.
And Glenn shares a familiar, but wonderful, verse for your encouragement.
It’s also available here as a standalone video.
J.I. Packer: A Personal Remembrance
“Shortly after the death of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), Dr. Packer delivered a lecture-sermon at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary entitled, “Martyn Lloyd-Jones: the Greatest Man I Ever Knew.”
It says something important about Packer that despite the sad falling-out of Lloyd-Jones and the Anglican Calvinists in October 1966, he paid such a glowing tribute to “the Doctor.”
A number of men of my generation will want to join me in saying that J. I. Packer was the greatest man we ever knew. …”
– Terry L. Johnson adds his remembrance of J. I. Packer – at Reformation21.
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.
A chat with Bishop Gary Koo
Recently, Tom Harricks (Rector of Penrith Anglican Church, and also Secretary of the ACL) chatted with Gary Koo, Bishop of Western Sydney.
Gary shares something of his background, how he became a Christian, and what it’s like to be a new bishop in the era of COVID.
An interesting and very encouraging video.
An Evening Conversation with J. I. Packer – A 1999 Interview by Mark Dever
In October 1999, Mark Dever interviewed Dr J. I. Packer in an event at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
The 59 minute video from 9Marks is a very worthwhile use of your time.
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).
Memorial service for J I Packer now online
After some technical problems with the livestream, St. John’s Vancouver has now posted the video recording of the Memorial Service for Dr. J. I. Packer.
Even though, due to COVID-19 restrictions, only a relatively small number of people were present, many around the world continue to thank God for Dr. Packer.
Canon David Short (pictured) delivered the sermon.
Funeral Service for J I Packer — 4:00am Friday 24th July Sydney time
The Funeral Service for J I Packer will be held at St. John’s Vancouver (his church for 37 years) at 11:00am Thursday 23 July 2020, Vancouver time.
That’s 4:00am Sydney time on Friday 24th July.
The order of service can be downloaded here.
Update:
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…