Network Statement
During the meeting of Gafcon Primates in Nairobi on 18th April 2016, it was resolved that Gafcon will give a high priority to the training of bishops, especially newly consecrated bishops so that godly bishops are being raised up to enable a reformed and renewed Anglican future with Bible at its heart.
The aim of Gafcon BTI is to strengthen biblical faith for episcopal leadership, ministry and mission.
BTI held its first Bishops training conference in Limuru, Kenya in October 2016 with 26 bishops from 5 different countries. Following this highly successful inaugural conference, there have been two more conferences, the second in May 2017 and the third one in November 2017.
The dominant theme of the conferences has been “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)” to underline the fact that
bishops learned from one another as well as from a panel of international speakers.
A total of 80 newly bishops have attended these three conferences mainly from countries in Africa but also including participants from the USA, Brazil and from South East Asia.
The fourth training conference is scheduled for 1-10 October 2018 and for the first time bishops’ wives are also invited.
In order to widen the breadth of the BTI network, we are looking into the possibility of planning future conferences in South America and in South East Asia. Bishops form around the Communion who have been consecrated in the past five years are welcome to apply and by contacting the Director, Bishop Samson Mwaluda at bishopsmwaluda@yahoo.com
The BTI network is made up of alumni who keep in contact with each other by social media for prayer and information sharing.
Bishop Samson Mwaluda
Bishop Samson Mwaluda is a retired bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Taita Taveta, Kenya. He served the diocese as her first Diocesan Bishop for 23 years. Samson and his wife Agatha have all along served as a team and strongly believe in the great strength for effective Episcopal ministry when bishops are able to team up with their wives.
Samson studied Economics and Religious studies in Nairobi University, Kenya. He studied for his second degree, in Theology at Oak Hill College, England. After serving for 10 years as a bishop, Samson studied for his Doctorate in Ministry at Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, USA.
Following his retirement in August 2016, Samson accepted GAFCON Primates’ invitation for him to serve as Director of GAFCON Bishops Training Institute. He has teamed up with his wife Agatha together with dedicated BTI Executive Assistants; first Paul and Cathy Sampson and currently Dick and Caroline Seed, in the effort of “Equipping Today’s Bishops for effective ministry and mission.”