Leaders from Gafcon, a global Anglican movement committed to restoring biblical values to the heart of the Anglican Communion, gathered March 12 for their annual “G25” conference with a central focus on raising the next generation of bishops.
The Gafcon Primates Council convened 170 leaders from 25 countries, including 10 primates and 83 other archbishops and bishops, at Christ Church Plano, a cathedral church of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Bishop Paul Donison, rector and dean of the church, also serves as Gafcon’s general secretary.
A press release from Gafcon said the conference reinvigorated the movement’s mission to “reorder the Anglican Communion in joyful submission to Holy Scripture,” under the theme “Leading the Renewal.”
“Gafcon has sometimes been criticised, even vilified, as a sectarian and schismatic movement that has sought to undermine the unity of the Anglican Communion. But that is simply untrue,” the statement said. “We cherish the worldwide fellowship that we enjoy through the Anglican Communion.”
Gafcon emphasized its goal to renew the Anglican Communion and reaffirm biblical authority.
“We represent the Anglican Communion as we stand for the orthodox Anglican theology that is upheld by a vast majority of the Communion. It is those who have promoted unbiblical teachings who have torn the fabric of our Communion and shown themselves to be out of step with the apostolic faith,” the statement continued.
The conference featured an “uplifting and inspiring service of Holy Communion,” with a sermon by ACNA Archbishop and Primate Steve Wood. Morning prayer was led by bishops from Nigeria, Rwanda and Myanmar, with “clear and stimulating Bible teaching from the early chapters of Joshua by the general secretary [Paul Donison] that encouraged us in our personal walk with Christ.”
“We ended our time together with another service of Holy Communion, where the Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, encouraged us from the word,” the statement added.
Gafcon also revisited its origins, beginning with the 2008 assembly in Jerusalem where 1,100 Anglicans met under Archbishop Peter Akinola. That event produced the Jerusalem Statement and Declaration, which remain “foundational documents which continue to guide our movement.”
“Revisiting our history is essential to understand the ongoing challenges facing the Anglican Communion today, especially as many of our conference participants were bishops who have been consecrated within the past five years,” the statement said.
“The Gafcon movement continues to grow, continues to gather, and continues to stand firm for the faith once delivered to the saints,” the statement read. “We also continue to grieve over how some leaders in the Anglican Communion have led the flock of Christ astray, diluted the authority of Scripture and distorted the gospel, endangering many souls. We once again call them to repentance.”
Small group discussions addressed four “defining features of Gafcon.”
The first, “Gathering Authentic Anglicans,” referred to members united by their commitment to the gospel and the authority of Scripture “rather than through communion with the failing office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
“Gafcon is a confessional fellowship of Anglicans held together by the theology, liturgy and vision of the Reformation Formularies. We rejoice in our theological unity and cultural diversity as we all ‘work and pray together in the common mission of Christ’ (Jerusalem Statement 2008),” the statement said.
The second, “Guarding God’s Gospel,” criticized the “Canterbury-based ‘Instruments of Communion’” for failing to discipline or protect doctrine.
“Gafcon has taken up this responsibility by reaffirming the gospel of Christ, rebuking false teaching that undermines it, and providing theological resources,” the statement read.
“Where Anglican leaders in some regions have departed from the truth of the gospel, Gafcon has rejected their spiritual authority, and recognised new expressions of faithful Anglicans, in order to guard and boldly proclaim the life-giving gospel of Christ throughout the world.”
The third feature, “Growing Orthodox Leaders,” underscored training and raising up new faithful leaders through Gafcon conferences, the Bishops Training Institute (BTI), and new episcopal consecrations in challenging areas.
“We were grateful to hear suggestions from both speakers and participants as to how we can further strengthen theological education around the Communion for the equipping of all God’s people for the work of ministry,” the statement added.
The fourth, “Generating Missional Resources,” encouraged churches to break free from a “poverty mindset” rooted in fear and ingratitude, which often restricts resources for ministry.
Speakers shared examples of God’s provision and cross-provincial partnerships: “Recognising that we have been gifted in distinct ways by God, we commit to use the resources that we have received in service of one another and of the kingdom of God.”
“We give thanks to God for the work of Gafcon and for our time together,” the statement concluded. “We have prayed together, worshipped together, studied Scripture together, and been encouraged and edified by the faith that unites us across our differing languages and cultures.”
Gafcon reported continued expansion since its founding and said, “Our resolve to proclaim the gospel has not been weakened but strengthened. Our commitment to reform and renew the Anglican Communion has not wavered or faltered.”
Looking ahead, Gafcon described itself as a “gospel people, a rooted people, an orthodox people, and a Bible people,” and previewed several new initiatives, including a theological writing group, a theological commission, and expanded inter-provincial relationships.
A series of annual mini-conferences are planned as well, with the location of G26 set to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2026.
