Bishop Kuan Kim Seng and Archdeacon Rajan Vincent Jacob to serve missionary area in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa
The Bishop of Egypt, Mouneer Anis, has appointed a new bishop and an archdeacon to serve the Horn of Africa episcopal area. The recently retired Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Singapore, Kuan Kim Seng, will serve as interim Area Bishop for the Horn of Africa. In addition, the Revd Rajan Vincent Jacob has been appointed to serve as Archdeacon of Gambela, an area of Ethiopia within the Horn of Africa Episcopal Area. “Please pray for them, that the Lord may use them for the expansion of his Kingdom in this important region”, Bishop Mouneer said.
The area bishopric became vacant following the resignation of Bishop Grant LeMarquand, who served the area with his wife Wendy. Ill-health forced the couple to return to the US and Bishop Grant stepped down in October last year.
Bishop Kuan will adopt the title “Commissary Bishop for The Horn of Africa Episcopal Area” rather than Area Bishop. “When I invited him to be the Area Bishop of the Horn of Africa, he said he would prefer to be called a ‘Commissary Bishop’ because he wants to work on my behalf and fulfil the vision of the Diocese”, Bishop Mouneer said. “I have known Bishop Kuan since 2005. He is a man of God, who is humble, and with a clear vision. The Gospel mission is deeply-seated in his heart. I am very grateful that he accepted my invitation.”
In addition to previously serving as an Assistant Bishop in Singapore, he has served as Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore and the Diocesan Director of Missions.
He became a Christian at the age of 16 after a classmate invited him to an after-school Christian meeting.
Reverend Rajan Vincent Jacob, who will serve as the new Archdeacon of Gambela Region, is currently the Priest in Charge of Christ the King Anglican Church in Tripoli, Libya, another part of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. He was ordained in the Church of South India and served in a parish in Madurai diocese before taking on a teaching role at the Hindustan Bible Institute & College and the Gurukul Lutheran Theological Seminary and Research Institute, before moving to Libya three years ago.
“He had a great sense of calling to work in the most troubled country within the Diocese: Libya”, Bishop Mouneer said. “He was kidnapped, robbed, and exposed to many hardships during these years. And yet, he served with joy. He visited Gambela with me and we were encouraged to know that there are a number of Indian professors at the Gambela University!”
