This great gathering is significant in several respects:
i) It is a clear demonstration of the fact that the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) held in Jerusalem from 22-29th June 2008 was divinely mandated;
ii) That the organization, execution, decisions and declarations which came out of it were inspired by the Holy Spirit and they reflect the mind of God for our dear Anglican Church in this generation;
iii) It shows that the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) is divinely chosen and called to be the channel of continuing this work of reviving, reforming and transforming the Anglican Church in the UK and Ireland in particular, and in God’s wide world in general. This is with a view to repositioning it to restore “what the locust had eaten” in this great land, for the salvation of mankind, and all of God’s creation.
iv) Furthermore I see the significance of this gathering against the background of Acts chapter two ”“ the great gathering from all over the world, and the descent of the Holy Spirit, to inaugurate God’s New Testament Church, empower men and women to evangelize and do the work of mission. Thus I see this gathering as a people assembled, as the Jerusalem gathering before it, by the finger of God, to receive fresh power and a saving message for the broken, hurting, confused and confusing world all around us.
v) Moreover it is gratifying to note that this crowd has assembled in the city of London ”“ not Lagos, Nairobi or Kampala. It thus answers to the derogatory remarks of some who say that the faith, commitment and zeal of African Anglicans is borne out of uneducated minds and flawed missionary enterprise in Africa. I am happy that men and women like you who have received sound ediucstion in the British tradition and the gospel ”˜from the feet of Gamaliel’, can assemble under the umbrella of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. Indeed wise men and wise women still seek Jesus.
Imagine ++Akinola in the seat of Canterbury. He would ruffle some feathers but he leaves no doubt that he is a strong Christian leader.
I find claims to unique inspiration by the Holy Spirit, claims made equally forcefully by liberals, to be disturbing and an indication that trust in the usual and normal channels of authority in the church have evaporated.