Global Anglican Council Communique: Our Hope for Years to Come

Posted on October 26, 2026 
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion

From Dr Laurent Mbanda, Chairman, of the Global Anglican Council:

“Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings from the land of a thousand hills and the land of a thousand smiles!

The Global Anglican Council gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, for meetings on 22–23 October 2026, followed by a concluding meeting on Sunday 25 October. This was an important time of prayer and deliberation as we sought the mind of the Lord in laying the foundations for the future of the Global Anglican Communion.

Our gathering in Kigali also provided an opportunity to celebrate the transition of leadership in the Anglican Church of Rwanda, as I conclude my ministry as Archbishop and Primate.

On Sunday 25 October, we rejoiced together at the installation of the Most Revd Dr Manasseh Gahima as the fifth Primate of Rwanda, and the Council was delighted to welcome him as a new member. Although I have retired from my leadership of the Church of Rwanda, I remain deeply committed to serving as Chairman of the Global Anglican Council.

Bishop Julian Dobbs reminded us from Psalm 90 that we can only see our days wisely when we see God clearly. Our lives are short, but our Lord is eternal, and so we must pray that he would teach us to number our days and establish the work of our hands.

We focused particularly on the guiding principles that form the foundation of our Council and Communion, as we continue the historic transition established at G26 in Abuja. We rejoice that these principles reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the authority of God’s Word, the Jerusalem Declaration, and our principled disengagement from the Canterbury Instruments of Communion.

We heard encouraging reports from our provinces and regions, giving thanks to God for the growth of evangelism and discipleship throughout the world.

We gave particular attention to Europe, where the gospel once flourished but where so many have now turned away from Christ. We were encouraged by opportunities for renewed gospel proclamation and church planting, and strengthened in our commitment to this vital mission.

We reviewed the exciting preparations for our G27 Prayer Conference in Recife, Brazil, next April, and considered the shape and vision of our GAFCON V Assembly in Athens 2028, including a theme we look forward to announcing soon.

We also considered the development of our global Secretariat and approved a refreshed logo and website address, which we look forward to unveiling in the coming weeks.

Yet we remain mindful of the schemes of the evil one, who seeks to divide Christ’s people and draw them away from the truth of God’s Word. This reminds us of our urgent need for fervent prayer, faithful preaching and steadfast commitment to the gospel.

As we sang together the great hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past, we were reminded that the Lord who has sustained us through the years remains our hope for the future.

As we look towards gathering again in Recife next April, I ask you to continue praying for us, that the Lord would establish the work of our hands, unite us in his truth, and strengthen us for the proclamation of Christ throughout the nations.

Yours in Christ,

The Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda
Chairman, Global Anglican Council
25 October 2026.

– Source: Gafcon. Larger version of the photo.