The Chairman of the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon) and Archbishop of Rwanda, the Most Rev’d Dr Laurent Mbanda, paid a courtesy visit to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in preparation for the upcoming Gafcon mini-conference, G26, to be hosted in Abuja, Nigeria.
Archbishop Mbanda, accompanied by his dear wife, Mrs Chantel Mbanda, began their visit in the Diocese of Lagos, where they attended the Diocesan Youth Conference held at the Faith Plaza, Bariga, Lagos. There, they encouraged the young people to remain focused on Christ Jesus and to shun vices contrary to the teachings of the true gospel.
During his charge to the clergy and members of the Diocese of Kubwa at St Bartholomew’s Cathedral Church, Kubwa, Archbishop Mbanda reiterated the need to proclaim the gospel of Christ faithfully and uphold the authority of Scripture above the desires of men.
He reminded them of the purpose of the Gafcon movement and the importance of unity among the faithful within it. He emphasised that Gafcon was established to safeguard the true gospel and to counter heretical practices creeping into the Communion. “It is a gathering of orthodox believers and provinces, held every five years, to share the gospel, encourage one another, and enjoy fellowship together,” he said.
Archbishop Mbanda commended the Church of Nigeria, reaffirming its position as the largest province in both the global Anglican Communion and the Gafcon movement. He expressed gratitude to the fathers of faith in the Church of Nigeria and to the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, for their unwavering commitment and dedication to the growth of Gafcon. He formally announced that the Church of Nigeria will host the next mini Gafcon conference, G26 – the second of its kind following G25 held earlier this year in Plano, Texas, USA. He also revealed that G27, to be held in 2027, will be focused on selected lay members, while a general Gafcon gathering will convene again in 2028.
He urged the clergy of Kubwa to remain faithful to their calling, stressing that their primary responsibility is to preach the gospel of Christ Jesus and nothing else.
Archbishop Mbanda concluded by calling on the Church and the Diocese to remain faithful servants of God and to uphold the true gospel of Christ, especially in these challenging times.
The host bishop, the Rt Rev’d Duke Akamisoko, and his wife, Mrs Sarah Akamisoko, expressed gratitude to the Gafcon Chairman and his wife for their visit to the Diocese. Bishop Akamisoko noted that Archbishop Mbanda’s leadership has been a source of inspiration across Africa and the wider global Church. He remarked that the Archbishop’s presence in the Diocese of Kubwa was a powerful reminder of their shared heritage and mission: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully, uphold the authority of Scripture, and labour together for the spiritual renewal of nations and continents.
The Bishop and his team later led the Archbishop and his wife, alongside officials of the Church of Nigeria, on visits to other parishes in the Diocese, including St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Kubwa, and St Paul’s Anglican Church, Nyanya.
At each location, the Archbishop and his delegation were warmly received. The parishes and their members welcomed them with ceremonial guards mounted by the Boys’ Brigade, the Women’s Ministry, and students from local schools within each parish visited.
Church of Nigeria entourage who accompanied the Gafcon Chairman to Kubwa Diocese are The Ven. Ifeanyi Akunna, Gafcon Nigeria Desk officer and Secretary to the Primate of Nigeria, The Ven. George Agun, Chaplain to the Primate of Nigeria, The Rev’d Caleb Udochukwu, Abuja Diocese Priest, Rear Admiral Segun Adebari (rtd), Security Adviser to the Primate of Nigeria, and Korede Akintunde, the Church of Nigeria Communication officer among others.
The engagement at each places he visited ended with a prayer by Archbishop Mbanda for the Church of Nigeria, Kubwa Diocese and the Church of God across the world.
