Last week the most important Anglican conference that you have probably never heard of took place in Plano, Texas. G25 was a mini-conference organised by Gafcon, a movement which begin in 2008, when the Global Anglican Conference (Gafcon) was organised in Jersusalem.

In 2008, over 1,000 archbishops, bishops, clergy and lay people gathered to discuss the future for faithful Anglicans in a Communion in crisis. A crisis caused by those Gafcon describe as having “led the flock of Christ astray, diluted the authority of Scripture and distorted the gospel, endangering many souls.” 

Archbishop Akinola, one of its founding members, described the original conference as representing “a new dawn, a new beginning”, a means of, “gathering authentic Anglicans”, to, “reform”, “renew” and “reorder” the Anglican Communion. The Communique from the G25 mini-conference acknowledges that some have, however, considered Gafcon to be more controversial, “a sectarian and schismatic movement that has sought to undermine the unity of the Anglican Communion”.

The focus of G25 was to equip the next generation, so Gafcon took time to revisit the history. There was archive footage from the first conference, a video presentation from Archbishop Peter Jensen (the first General Secretary), and a panel discussion from those who were in the room (room 1614 to be precise) when the idea for a global gathering was first suggested.  

The warmth of relationship and mutual respect was evident as the panel shared their memories. Bishop Don Harvey described the moment of clarity that came when the decision to meet in Jerualsem was agreed, as, “…the Holy Spirit directly at work.” For Bishop Martin Minns, it was the madness of trying to organise a global Christian conference in Jerusalem in just over six months that stood out. He recalled buying a nine foot cross from a shop on the Via Dolorosa, and transporting it across the city in the back of a taxi to the Orthodox Jewish hotel where the conference was taking place.

Looking back the footage was crackly, the backdrop low-tech and as was pointed out on several occasions, everyone looked so young.  Yet, as Bishop Martin observed,

“It was a glimpse of heaven, watching Christians from around the world working together, caring for each other and submiting to each other. I particularly enjoyed seeing all the Primates working together as a team. There was no sense of ego, no one was running things but everyone submitted to the other… watching the church be the church, a truly global church, with lots of different accents, but one Lord over all – a glimpse of heaven.”

These relationships continue to be at the heart of the Gafcon movement. In stark contrast to those found in the traditional Instruments of Communion, which Gafcon described as, “a colonial structure,” in 2008 and where little has changed in 2025.

In 2008, a very young Vaughan Roberts, told those gathered in Jerusalem,

“This is a very significant time in the Anglican Communion, there are those that say it is a very significant time in the history of the Christian Church. It is a time that calls for decisive action and courageous leadership. And it may well be that in years to come people look back to this conference as a decisive moment and that’s a great opportunity that we must not duck.”

For seventeen years Gafcon has provided that leadership –  gathering authentic Anglicans, guarding the gospel and enabling gospel work to continue by training leaders and providing resources. They have provided new Anglican jurisdictions in North America, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia and Europe for those forced to leave dioceses and provinces that, “have walked away from apostolic teaching.” Gafcon has never left the Anglican Communion – but represents a realignment of relationships – “in joyful submission to Holy Scripture.” At its heart is the global church being the global church.

As the G25 Communique states:

“Our fellowship has not diminished but expanded. Our resolve to proclaim the gospel has not been weakened but strengthened. Our commitment to reform and renew the Anglican Communion has not wavered or faltered.”

The press may not be interested in what Gafcon is doing any more but it is no less miraculous for that. G25 may turn out to be the most important conference you have never heard of because Gafcon is not going away and will continue to hold out the hand of fellowship and provide a home for all those with the courage to take decisive action.

It is possible to watch the recordings of the livestream from G25 by registering here.