A word from Tim

Strengthening churches and transforming communities

 I’ve just returned from the Gafcon conference in Abuja, Nigeria where over 450 bishops and church leaders from around the world gathered to reset the Global Anglican Communion. Across the four days, the unifying focus was our deep commitment to placing the Bible at the heart of the renewed Global Anglican Communion, to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations. It was terrifically encouraging.  

This same commitment shapes Anglican Aid’s work in the world’s poorest nations and is why we invest in theological training. In the past five years with your support, we have trained over 2,000 pastors from 120 different dioceses to proclaim the gospel, teach God’s word faithfully, and lead his people. This year, another 750 pastors are being trained. Praise God for this work and please pray for them!  

But churches in the world’s poorest nations are often serving amongst people who are hungry and lack essentials like clean water, basic education, medical care, or housing. These churches need help from brothers and sisters who have resources to share, so together as God’s people, we can care for people in great need. To grow our capacity to do this, at the Gafcon conference, I launched Anglican Aid’s ‘Global Anglican Communion Fund’, providing a mechanism for people outside Australia to give to our work and receive a tax deduction.  

In this issue of Grace News, you can read more about how our sharing of resources is bringing transformation. In Burundi, with your help, the church is giving villages access to clean water and food through their development projects. Likewise, the church in Marsabit, Kenya is providing simple housing for people who have fled tribal conflict. The wonderful thing is that through these churches’ care and their gospel ministry, many in these places are turning in faith to Jesus. Christ’s mission is going forward and lives are being transformed both now and forever for his glory! 

Tim Swan | CEO Anglican Aid