It is a great privilege to witness something of the richness and complexity of God’s mission through His church. The local fellowship remains the central focus for most of God’s people. But when we’re encouraged to see what the Lord is doing in other places, imagine ourselves as part of a regional mission network, and contribute to and learn from gospel work and faithful people in faraway lands, we usually find that our local ministry grows in vibrancy and vision.
I have recently returned from a visit to Chiang Mai in Thailand where I spent some days with bishops and their wives from the Anglican Church of the Province of Myanmar (CPM), sponsored by the mission society Crosslinks. My connections through Crosslinks are longstanding. More recent is the developing relationship between the CPM and Gafcon, where I serve on the Global Anglican Council.
Much of the period since Myanmar’s independence has been marred by tragedy, both natural disaster and man-made. Today the country is beset with multiple conflicts that have left 3.8 million internally displaced and 1.6 million forced to live in neighbouring countries. The military regime does not control large swathes of the country outside of the major urban centres.
Questions from a visit to North Africa
I recently attended the consecration of Dr Ashley Null as Anglican bishop of North Africa, a new Diocese in the …