Anglicans here have come from 36 states and five countries, including Canada and a large delegation from the Anglican Province of Rwanda. Attendees from Rwanda include former Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini and the newly installed Archbishop the Most Rev. Onesphore Rwaje who proclaimed to his listeners the uniqueness of Jesus as "the way, the truth and the life.

"This is not the truth according to Gandhi or Tutu or Mandela. Jesus is the truth. Jesus gave his own life that we might have life - eternal life. He has brought us his life, life with Him is life indeed."

Bishop Murphy described the 11th annual winter conference of the AMiA as a "kairos moment." Also present here are two former archbishops from South East Asia, the Most Rev. Moses Tay and the Most Rev. Yong Ping Chung. Two retired Episcopal bishops, C. FitzSimons Allison (SC ret.) and Alex Dickson (West Tennessee ret.), are also here.

Murphy observed that the annual conference has developed into a family reunion that God has touched, healed, renewed and refreshed. "God has called this meeting in a real concrete way it is not something cooked up. It is His purpose. Jesus is the heart of mission and we are here to proclaim it." God will move speak and encourage us, said Murphy who said he stood back in awe with this vision.

AMIA and ACNA

Touching on the sensitive relationship between the AMiA and the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), Murphy said there is some differentiation between the AMiA and the ACNA. "It is okay to create an environment to allow for that. We have an affinity with the ACNA." Murphy added that six churches have left AMiA to go to the ACNA, "that's a good affinity principle. We have freedom with fences. There is a new alignment. We are missionary partners with ACNA however we wish to remain under Rwanda. We are still out of Africa."

Murphy noted that the AMIA has 153 churches including 12 in Canada stretching from Victoria, BC to Toronto. The AMIA leader said that 115 new church plants are in the works that are going to need leadership. He described a "4R faith" initiative to find new leaders, new Tituses and Timothys, that he hopes God puts in his path.

"We have a Network system. We have to take care of our children in a concrete way. We have to take care of what you birth."

We have to take care of our children in a concrete way. Part of our mission is to strengthen existing churches."

Murphy declared that he wants 30 -35 churches working closely with their bishop to design programs and strengthen and launch new networks.

Murphy stated that it would cost $7 million to make it all happen. "We have 268 churches in various stages of development. Some 115 are emerging works and 153 existing congregations. "2010 was an extraordinary year in the life of AMIA. It is hard work. God has given us growth and favor."

Church Plants

"Twenty-five new church plants a year, that's not bad over 10 years. We are following St. Paul's example. God wants this thing to happen. He has called us to follow in the missionary travels of the apostle."

Murphy described himself as a leader by temperament with a bias for action. "I came from a family of clergy. I have an attitude of expectation. I expect God's faithfulness and He has been faithful. I have expected the Holy Spirit to come with demonstration and power. We need to step up and put ourselves as risk to innovate and be triumphant."

Murphy pointed to several AMIA success stories in churches across North America. He illustrated with the Church of Resurrection in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with 800 parishioners with most being under 40. Epiphany mission in Viejo, CA, has 50-60 members with 70% being under 30. Immanuel church in Vancouver meets in the Rio Theatre with a bus ministry. Emmanuel, a Toronto-based church, meets on a $150 million dollar campus. Closer to home, Murphy cited St. Peter's in Mt. Pleasant, SC, which had 450 at their opening service. Mission Chattanooga is also another fast growing congregation and All Saints in Dallas, TX, draws some 250 to services. "We are now breaking into Texas," said Murphy.

"God wants this to happen more than we do. He is backing it. We keep on moving and keep on waiting, trusting and expecting. We have more Christians in the AMIA then there are in Turkey."

This writer noted with some interest that "praise choruses" had morphed into the singing of pure scripture albeit with modern settings.

The conference continues through Saturday.

END