Jerusalem, Israel
The Rev. Canon Andrew Gross, Press Officer for the ACNA and GAFCON, answers some basic questions from ADOTS Communications Associate Rachel Moorman, and shares how you can follow along with the conference June 17-22.
Representatives from over 50 countries, including over a dozen delegates and attendees from ADOTS, will gather in Jerusalem this month for the tenth anniversary of GAFCON, the Global Anglican Future Conference. This year’s conference, June 17-22, will be the largest international gathering of Anglicans in 50 years, with nearly 2,000 delegates attending.
What is GAFCON?
Gafcon is a global family of Anglicans within the Anglican Communion. Gafcon began as a movement to restore the Bible to the center of the Communion. It has stayed true to that mission, and has naturally grown and expanded over the last ten years as the relationships among its supporters have deepened.
What will our delegates be working on while they are there?
Our delegates from North America will be working with delegates from all over the world to develop new networks for ministry and strengthen existing ones. Gafcon Jerusalem will be the formal launch of new global networks in areas such as church planting, reciprocal mission, and theological education.
What is your role with GAFCON?
For the last four years I have served as the Gafcon Press Officer, and in Jerusalem I will be working with the media as well as leading the communications efforts to share the experience with those who won’t be in Jerusalem. Folks will be able to tune into a livestream of the events, and follow the conference on Twitter and Facebook.
How does GAFCON help us fulfill our mission here?
To be connected across cultural and national boundaries is enriching to our spiritual lives and builds up the whole Body of Christ. Those relationships are of deep value in and of themselves. In addition to this, our relationships with Anglicans in Africa, Asia, and South America position us to reach out to immigrants from those continents to North America and help them find a church home.
How can we make even stronger connections with our overseas Anglican brothers and sisters?
Online media is making the world smaller, but there is no substitute for hosting an overseas visitor in your own home, or being hosted on a trip overseas. Technology can then help keep up that relationship, but it is the investment of face-to-face time that makes all the difference. Overseas churches and dioceses love to offer hospitality. Our Anglican Global Mission Partners offer lots of opportunities to get connected.
How can we follow the GAFCON meetings on social media or video?
There will be lots of ways to follow the conference in Jerusalem.
Twitter: @the_ACNA @Gafconference #Gafcon2018
Facebook: @TheAnglicanChurch @Gafconference
ACNA Website: anglicanchurch.net/index.php/main/Gafcon_Jerusalem2018/
Gafcon Website: Gafcon.org
ADOTS will be also be tweeting the event @ADOTS_ACNA
by Rachel Moorman
Communications Associate
news@adots.org