Relay Trust recognises the growing strategic role of the GSFA in giving orthodox leadership to the Anglican Communion and as a Mission Partner, we were very pleased to provide grant support for the GSFA’s first Bishops’ Formation Retreat held at the Lweza Conference and Retreat Centre in Entebbe, Uganda.
In addition, CEO Charles Raven and Daniel Magagnin, Regional Relationship manager for IAMA (The Anglican Province of Mozambique and Angola) flew to Entebbe to assist during the retreat. Charles led a session on Economic Empowerment while Daniel provided administrative support and translation into Portuguese for Bishop Augusto Domingos, Dean of IAMA, and his wife Cristina.
A total of 26 bishops attended, most with their wives, from six Provinces: Myanmar (Burma), IAMA (Angola), Uganda, DR Congo, Indian Ocean (Mauritius and Madagascar) and Alexandria (The Horn of Africa). Perhaps most striking was the evident joy of the bishops and their wives in being able to meet for fellowship and to be encouraged in their ministries by biblical teaching and practical advice from seasoned and respected leaders such as GSFA Chairman Archbishop Justin Badi, Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba of Uganda and retired Primates Henry Orombi and Mouneer Anis.
Each day began with outstanding bible expositions on biblical leadership from 2 Timothy by Bishop Rennis Ponniah, former Bishop of Singapore and Director of the GSFA Secretariat followed by sessions which provided a deeply encouraging mixture of godly practical wisdom, equipping for mission and orientation about Anglican ecclesiology, including the current crisis in the Communion. Each participating bishop and spouse was presented with a certificate in a closing ceremony.
Further inspiration was provided by visits to Uganda Christian University and the Ugandan Martyrs Museum at Namugongo, commemorating the young men martyred by the King of Buganda in 1885/86 who refused to renounce their faith on pain of death.
Altogether this was a very rich experience for everyone present and an inspiring start to what looks likely to be a major programme of the GSFA. Though the Anglican Communion is undeniably in a time of crisis precipitated by the cultural captivity its traditional leadership, this week in Entebbe was a sign of the reshaped Communion now emerging.
