| The Official eNewsletter of the Anglican Mission in the Americas
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Dear ,
In case you missed it, our 2009 Winter Conference was a powerful experience. See additional highlights on our website.
As always, we are working diligently to keep you informed of the latest news and happenings around the Anglican Mission.
If Currents has been a blessing to you, why not forward this issue to a friend? Simply click "forward" button below.
Cynthia Brust
Director of Communications, Anglican Mission in the Americas
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Attendees Declared Winter Conference "Outstanding"
Once again, the 2009 Anglican Mission's Winter Conference delivered spiritual renewal, and this year encouraged all of us to "Grow Out on a Limb."
Held on January 28-31 in Greensboro, North Carolina, 1242 registered participants gathered to enjoy powerful worship and vibrant fellowship with people from 35 states and seven countries.
A resounding message declared by each plenary speaker energized listeners to take ownership of being missionaries to a post-modern world that is waiting to hear the message of Jesus Christ.
Recapture the heart and message echoed throughout the Winter Conference by exploring one or more of these links:
Be sure to watch this video entry from the Spotlight on Local Mission Film Festival, created by St. Andrews in Little Rock, AR, retelling the incredible story of this congregation.
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Winter Conference Raves from
the Blogosphere
The place was bustling with excitement, and it was a tremendous time of personal spiritual renewal. I was there for a whole week,
and when it ended, I wanted it to continue. The passion for the spread of the gospel was absolutely contagious. I met young men who were doing some pretty amazing things in their cities for Christ-brothers, who in the providence of God were demonstrating what it means to be 'out on the limb' for God. Blogged by Sam Murrell, Murrells Musings on 2/4/09
I heard fresh from God again. I heard God again saying our mission is to bring and live out the Gospel to those outside the church. This is why I joined the AMiA and started St. George's Anglican Community. Through Todd Hunter, I heard God saying that we have to take risks...for the sake of the Gospel. This is it! I want to be "all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel." Our lives are too short to be devoted to anything else. Blogged by the Rev. Shane Copeland, St. George's Anglican, Phoenix, AZ
I met a lot of really impressive pastors and church leaders at the conference. The Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) is a genuine movement of God's Spirit in North America in the 21st Century. The conference sent a message loud and clear to everyone there: We are first and foremost passionate followers of Jesus Christ who happen to be Anglican, and we are secondly passionate about sharing the Gospel message with others through missional church planting and incarnational ministry. Blogged by Jarrett, Trinity Vineyard, Atlanta, GA
I feel like I've learned a lot about our dear brothers and sisters in the Anglican Communion. Our reason for going to the Winter Conference was simple. We wanted to know more about a stream of the faith that has impacted our church so much. I feel like we've touched a stream of the faith that has both encouraged and inspired us. Thank you, Anglicans! Blogged by Pastor Kris McDaniel, Trinity Church, Atlanta, GA
I just returned from the AMiA (Anglican Mission in the Americas) conference and have to say that I met some amazing and extraordinary people. I was inspired and challenged by each and every one of them...Andy Piercy, Mark Russell, Todd Hunter... the list could go on, and I hope it will as I continue to find and develop these relationships in the Anglican stream of faith. Posted by Martin Reardon, worship pastor at Trinity in Atlanta, GA, Monday, 2/2/09
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Anglican Mission Announces West Coast Church Planting Initiative
The Anglican Mission has unveiled a new initiative designed to plant well over 100 new churches over the next 10 years. Launched in early January, Churches for the Sake of Others is led by the Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter and creates a church planting movement. This movement is designed to develop churches and leaders committed to beginning new congregations located primarily, but not exclusively, on the west coast. These churches will emphasize multiplication as each congregation plants daughter churches at the rate of at least two every five years.
 Bringing to this new work over 30 years experience as a church planter and church planting consultant, Dr. Hunter says he has found new life and fresh expression in his current work with the Anglican Mission. Most recently, he served as President of Alpha USA and previously held the position of National Director for the Association of Vineyard Churches (1994-2001) following John Wimber's death. Dr. Hunter's book, Christianity Beyond Belief: Following Jesus for the Sake of Others, was published in early February and another book is planned for publication later this year. Ordained to the diaconate last fall, Dr. Hunter will be ordained to the priesthood on March 24, 2009.
"We praise God for continuing to raise up and draw to the Mission leaders like Todd to help us both plant new churches and carry the message of the Gospel throughout North America," Bishop Murphy said.
Look for additional details on this initiative in the upcoming issue of The Wave.
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Answering the Call: Anglican School of Ministry's First Graduates
Dr. Mark Quay
The Anglican School of Ministry (ASM) is pleased to announce its first group of graduates, celebrated on December 31, 2008. With all deeply involved in the ministries of their local parishes, students Allan Cunningham, Lisa Schwandt and Bill Schulgen received the Certificate of Diaconal Studies, and Pat Lynch received a Certificate of Christian Studies.
The Rev. Deacon Allan Cunningham, a retired engineer who lives in San Angelo, Texas, serves as a vocational deacon at Church of the Good Shepherd (Uganda). Currently serving as Assistant to the Rev. Stanley Burdock, Allan has already performed numerous baptisms and a wedding.
Lisa Schwandt is the Director for Worship Arts at HopePointe Anglican Church in The Woodlands, Texas, under the leadership of the Rev. Clark Lowenfield. Lisa coordinates the use of various art forms such as painting, photography and dance into weekly worship services and has been part of the visual arts team for the past two Anglican Mission Winter Conference events. While preparing for diaconal exams, she plans to continue studies at ASM "after taking a much needed break."
Lisa Schwandt with the Rev. Clark Lowenfield.
Bill Schulgen is a retired fire fighter and has the honor of being both a father and a grandfather to current firemen. Bill is preparing to take his diaconal exams in order to serve as a vocational deacon assisting his pastor, the Rev. Don McLane of Transformation Anglican in Rockwall,Texas.
Pat Lynch is a well-known Arkansas media personality, having been a radio talk show host for several years. He continues to appear on Little Rock television and writes a weekly column for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Pat attends St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Little Rock and is continuing his studies at ASM in the Diploma of Theological Studies program. Pat is pursuing a vocation as a lay theological writer and teacher and plans to eventually earn a master's degree in theology.
Anglican School of Ministry (formerly Anglican School of Ministry-Little Rock) offers a number of in-parish theological training programs for laity and those pursuing orders in Anglican churches. Student denominational affiliations include the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Mission (five different Networks), the Church of England, the Anglican Church of Uganda and the Anglican Church of Kenya.
For more information, visit the school's website. |
Reaching the Unemployed with the Gospel
Three years ago, before the official launch of Grace Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, the Rev. Chas Williams and his father Chuck joined a network of ten groups meeting in the Memphis metro area to offer support and encouragement to those who are underemployed or unemployed. With the current sluggish economy, they are experiencing record attendance at weekly Career Transition meetings.
"It is devastating to lose a job after 30-40 years with the same company," states Chas. "These meetings get them up early, out of isolation and working toward new employment."
Held at their new worship space, each meeting begins with a short devotional and prayer and then moves on to tackle practical details such as interviewing skills, writing a resume and networking.
"Going to these meetings, they just gain strength from one another," shares Chuck, retired from sales and sales management positions where he used to teach interviewing skills to new managers. "Recently, we had our largest gathering to date with 19 in attendance. It shows we are filling a need."
A Career Transition Workshop in progress.
Using public service announcements, good signage and word of mouth, this meeting in particular brought a surprise recruiter who was looking for people to fill jobs in information technology. After the meeting broke, several job seekers approached him.
"My Dad is the brains behind this ministry," reveals Chas. "He retired last year and is using his business background along with the Gospel to help others. We hear wonderful testimonies of those participating being renewed in their faith and drawn back to church."
For more information on how you can start a Career Transition Workshop in your community contact the Rev. Chas Williams.
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Anglican School of Ministry Announces Formation of Florida Campus
Dr. Mark Quay
 Anglican School of Ministry (ASM), based in Little Rock, Arkansas, is pleased to announce the formation of an extension campus at Christ Church Anglican in Jacksonville, Florida. The Rev. Mark Eldredge, also First Coast Network Leader, will provide pastoral oversight and highly regarded theological writer and teacher, the Rev. Dr. Rob Sanders, will act as dean. Sanders holds a Ph.D. in theology from the Graduate Theological Union/University of California, Berkley and is a regular columnist for David Virtue. 
For more information about the Jacksonville expansion, email Dr. Sanders.
ASM provides affordable, quality, in-parish training programs that prepare lay people and candidates for ordination and to be effective ministers in the Anglican tradition. For more information visit their website.
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