The shooting of innocent civilians in a mall has thrust Nairobi, Kenya into the headlines of every news outlet. The Somali Islamist al-Shabab militants siege has left at least 62 people dead, 63 missing and some 200 injured.
Although happening on a distant continent and loaded with complex political overtones, the personal tragedy has gripped North American hearts with compassion. Imagine taking your family to Mapleview Mall to buy a new pair of jeans only to find yourself in the middle of a fire-fight, fleeing for your life and desperately protecting your children. The horror is unthinkable.
This story has caught my attention, in particular. I will be in Nairobi from October 19th-27th for GAFCon 2.
GAFCon 2 is a meeting of the archbishops, bishops and delegates representing over 80% of the global Anglican Communion. In a time of unprecedented change and schism within the global Anglican family, GAFCon is an instrument of unity. The first GAFCon meeting was held in Jerusalem in 2008 and gave birth to the movement called the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans.
There will be over 20 delegates from Canada, including all three of our bishops. I will be in Nairobi not as a Canadian delegate, but rather as GAFCon leadership staff. Some of the work I will be doing cannot be discussed at this time, but will become evident as the conference unfolds. It is an honour for me to be asked to participate in this historic meeting and I am thankful to serve at St. George’s, where you all share your pastor with the global church so freely.
Would you please do a few things:
1) Take a moment to read up on GAFCon and the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans.
2) Pray for our meetings from October 21th-26th. Specifically pray for unity and a clear strategy for global gospel partnership.
3) Pray for safe travels for all delegates and leadership.
4) Prayerfully consider how you and your family could financially partner in this historic gathering. It costs around $5000 for a Canadian delegate to attend. I need your support to get to Nairobi (and home!).
The gospel flourishes when there is a whiff of persecution. The timing of this recent tragedy in Nairobi and our GAFCon 2 conference can only be providential. Remember our brothers and sisters who profess faith in Christ under daily threat and remember me and others as we travel to Kenya.
