"Only on the basis of those truths can our mission and service to a hurting and needy world flourish. It really is crucial for mission and evangelism that all those of orthodox faith and practice work together and network on a Communion-wide basis. So this is a development I enthusiastically welcome," he told VirtueOnline.

Bishop Wallace Benn of Lewes and President of the Church of England Evangelical Council said, "At this critical moment in the life of the Communion it is vital that those of orthodox faith and practice should work together and network on a Communion-wide basis. This is essential for the mission and evangelism to which we are called. I warmly and enthusiastically welcome this essential development."

The new coalition, to be known as Anglican Mainstream International, (AMI) will have close links with organizations and networks committed to promoting and defending the scriptural truths upon which the Anglican Church was founded. Only on the basis of those truths can our mission and service to a hurting and needy world flourish.

Supporting organizations so far include Anglican Mainstream UK, the Anglican Communion in New Westminster, the Essentials Federation and Network in Canada, the Anglican Communion Institute and Anglican Mainstream South Africa. The network will also have Primatial advisers. Archbishop Drexel Gomez of the West Indies is a Primatial adviser.

The work of the new coalition will be overseen by an international steering committee, consisting immediately of Dr Philip Giddings (UK), Diane Knippers (USA), Canon David Anderson (American Anglican Council USA), Rev. David Short (Anglican Communion in New Westminster, Canada), Bishop Wallace Benn (UK), Professor Oliver O'Donovan (Oxford, UK), Professor Christopher Seitz (Anglican Communion Institute) Rev Charlie Masters (Essentials Federation and Network, Canada), and Canon Dave Doveton (Anglican Mainstream South Africa)

Canon Dr. Christopher Sugden has been appointed as full-time Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream International. The board of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies has granted him leave of absence to undertake this new role. Sugden is a Canon of St. Luke's Cathedral in Jos, Nigeria and Commissary for the Diocese of North East Caribbean and Aruba in the West Indies. He will be based at Eynsham in Oxfordshire in the UK.

"AMI will aim to facilitate the work of existing networks, not compete with them. Our common concern for the immediate future is to preserve the unity and orthodoxy of the Anglican Communion as the Primates come to take decisions about the recommendations in the Windsor Report," said Dr. Christopher Seitz.

Asked how this fits in with other orthodox organizations already in existence, Seitz said,
"We will all keep our own initiatives and integrity. We help with common mission and communication internationally."

END