(BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE)

The Operations Manager of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), James Stileman has admonished the Church to stay focused on the Lord Jesus Christ even as the Church battles with persecution, temptation, and other struggles of life. This, according to him, is the only way to bring an end to every crisis plaguing the Church.

Mr. James Stileman, who had a brief stopover at the office of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion in Abuja, Nigeria while on his way to visit his new boss, the Bishop of Jos Anglican Diocese, Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, the newly elected Secretary of GAFCON, explained during an interview that it is only in Christ Jesus that the solution to life’s troubles can be found. Hence, he stressed that the Church must strive to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and the word of God because God’s word is the only thing that has remained true, and will continue to remain true throughout the centuries.

He elaborated on issues bothering on the ongoing crisis in the Anglican Communion, especially as regards the institution of marriage, stating that the essence of GAFCON is to ensure that the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ is what is preached, as well as practiced in the Anglican Church. According to him, GAFCON is striving hard to render support and spiritual oversight to dioceses and Churches being persecuted for their refusal to accept and adopt gay marriage as a standard of the Church.

Meanwhile, when asked on the way forward for the global Anglican Communion, Mr. Stileman called on the Church to continue to pray that God will grant the Archbishop of England, the Most Rev. Justin Welby wisdom and direction on the best way to lead the Church, so that the Anglican Communion can remain united as one body.

During his brief visit, the operations manager of GAFCON held discussions with the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Ven. Paul Dajur and other officials at the Episcopal House in Abuja. He, however did not meet with the Primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion, the Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, who was out of the country on official assignment.