Gafcon Ireland recently came together in Belfast for an evening to remember GAFCON III in Jerusalem and to share with others what happened during that memorable week. There were 85 of us and if there was one prominent theme throughout the evening it was that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

There was a live video interview with Archbishop Foley Beach. He spoke movingly of his own conversion. As a 17 year he heard a talk about the Lordship of Christ and he explained how this led to him receiving Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. This was such a great reminder of what Gafcon is about – proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations that many will come to repentance and faith in Him. 

Four of the 31 delegates from Ireland who went to Jerusalem gave their own reflections. It was a week rooted in bible teaching that was engaging and applied. There was daily, meaningful and prayerful fellowship with fellow Anglican believers from many other parts of the world. There were archbishops and bishops mixing and mingling everyday with all of the delegates. There were many stories and testimonies about the cost of being faithful to the Lord and His word. There was a challenge to the whole conference to be ready and prepared for difficult times ahead within the Anglican Communion. There was encouragement from knowing that Gafcon is maturing, growing, and taking practical steps (e.g. the 9 Strategic Networks) to engage in effective, biblical mission. 

The conference statement, the Letter to the Churches, was mentioned throughout the evening. Archbishop Foley commended the Letter because at the heart of it is the gospel of Christ. We saw how the Letter reflected some of the gospel themes in Romans 1.1-7. Proclaiming God’s gospel, reforming God’s church and reaching God’s world are constantly shaping the structure, the governance and the vision of Gafcon, and it’s witness to Anglicans worldwide. 

Theological education and church planting are two priorities of Gafcon Ireland. With these in mind the evening closed with an explanation of Theology Ireland (www.theologyireland.com) and an invitation to attend in early 2019. Also, all were invited to come to the third Gafcon Ireland Residential in December. The Revd. Dr. Ashley Null will be the keynote speaker and the leaders of Gafcon’s Church Planting Strategic Network will also be contributing. 

The evening was informative, encouraging and forward looking and we are grateful to God that in response 12 people asked to become Supporters of Gafcon Ireland. Please pray that we will move forward together with Jesus Christ, and Him alone, as our Lord and King. 

Revd. Tim Anderson