By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Peter Akinola, has explained that the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) was formed in response to what he described as unbiblical doctrines promoted by some leaders within the Anglican Communion, particularly around the Lambeth Conference.
Speaking in Abuja, Akinola recalled that GAFCON’s roots trace back to Nigeria, noting that the movement emerged from a resolve to uphold Scripture amid growing doctrinal disagreements ahead of the 2008 Lambeth Conference.
In the official platforms obtained in Gombe, the former Primate commended members of the Abuja Anglican community for sustaining the vision laid during his tenure, praising the growth of the church and its role in the GAFCON story.
According to him, what began as a plan to build a 2,000-capacity church expanded to accommodate 3,000 worshippers, reflecting steady growth over the years.
“For those who may not know, what is now called GAFCON began here,” Akinola said.
He explained that in 2007, as preparations were underway for the 2008 Lambeth Conference, many bishops became concerned about doctrinal positions they believed departed from biblical teaching.
He said the decision was taken not to participate in what he termed “dining and wining” with leaders advancing such doctrines.
Instead, bishops from parts of Africa, Australia, England, and the United States sought an alternative forum for fellowship and consultation.
“That was how we met in Nairobi, in my hotel room at the Hilton, and that was where GAFCON was born,” he said.
Akinola noted that although GAFCON was initially conceived as a one-time gathering, continued doctrinal divergence within the Anglican Communion led to its growth into a global movement over the past 18 years.
He argued that there would have been no need for GAFCON if Anglican leaders had remained faithful to Scripture, adding that the movement emerged as a response to what he described as the promotion of non-biblical values, particularly in the Western world.
Referencing the 1998 Lambeth Conference, Akinola recalled that a significant majority of bishops voted against the endorsement of practices they considered contrary to biblical teaching.
He alleged that subsequent efforts were made to overturn that decision.
The former Primate maintained that reconciliation within the Anglican Communion remains possible if leaders in Lambeth Palace, Canterbury, and The Episcopal Church return to what he described as the biblical position affirmed in 1998.
“As long as what God says ‘no’ to is being presented as ‘right,’ we cannot walk together,” he said.
“They will go their way, and we will go our way. For us here in Nigeria, on the Word of God we stand.”
He concluded by blessing members of the GAFCON movement and urging them to remain steadfast in their commitment to Scripture.
