I was one of those who believed at the time that the formation of the AMIA was premature. In retrospect, the rest of us in the ACNA were probably not as attuned to the cliffs that pecusa would three years later jump from. ed.
By David W. Virtue in Greensboro
www.virtueonline.org
January 27, 2010
With hands held high, amid jubilant singing, more than 1,400 Anglicans, many former Episcopalians, thundered hymns of praise as they met for the 10th Winter Conference of the Anglican Mission of the Americas (AMiA) to strategize reaching the next generation for Jesus Christ.
Rwandan Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini explained the initial pain, the remarkable journey and the joy that AMIA has been on, survived and grown over the past decade.
“We thank God for protecting the baby (AMiA). We also celebrate a child to grow. The Anglican Mission is 10 years old it wasn’t easy getting here. It needed resources. We were often stubborn, often rebels, but we learn from our mistakes. We celebrate the challenge. Many of you paid a price but thank God the baby (AMiA) survived. Our hope was not in ourselves but in the Lord,” he said.
Citing Old and New Testament examples, Kolini said that Elijah believed he was the only one left. St Paul did not disobey the vision from heaven because Paul saw that his witness was to be in a court.
“We are not going to keep quiet nor will we remain silent until we see the salvation of the Lord. The church is no longer desolate or empty but full. I am not going to keep quiet for the 130 million unchurched Americans our vision is not limited.”
The Rwandan Archbishop stated this was not the first time in history that bishops have crossed borders. “It started a long time ago. I am with you for another 11 months and my prayer is be obedient and never to keep silent till we meet the Lord. We must keep going till the last day.”
Bishop Donald Harvey, moderator of the Anglican Network in Canada and recently appointed Dean of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), brought greetings from ACNA Archbishop Robert Duncan.
“It is not without significance that the first official duty as the Dean of ACNA is to bring greetings from our family. The last ten years have brought about the unity of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
In his letter to the AMIA gathering, Duncan wrote that the Anglican Mission in the Americas has blazed the path in church multiplication by reaching the unreached.
The Rt. Rev. Charles (Chuck) Murphy, III, Missionary Bishop of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and chairman of AMIA, said he has no regrets for the last ten years of the journey. “Our fellowship for the mission is like of St. Paul. The Lord has come through.”
Present at the Winter Conference are three Anglican archbishops: Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini, (Rwanda), Archbishop Yong Ping Chung (Southeast Asia, ret.) and Archbishop Moses Tay (Southeast Asia ret.)
Episcopal bishops present include the Rt. Rev. Dr. C. FitzSimons Allison, (S.C. ret.) The Rt. Rev. Alex Dickson, (West Tennessee, ret.). Among AMiA bishops is the former Dean of Trinity School of Ministry and AMiA Bishop John Rodgers.
The three-day conference features speakers the Rev. Mark Batterson, Mrs. Margaret Feinberg, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter, and the Rev. Philip Jones, Mr. David Kinnaman. Acclaimed theologian and scholar Dr. J. I. Packer is offering daily Bible studies.
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