‘Numerous’ conversions and baptisms in new network

The Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE) is growing. Not just because churches are joining or because new churches are being planted – but because God is at work in the lives of ordinary men and women who want to profess their newfound faith in the Lord Jesus.

In June, Trinity Church, Scarborough posted online some fantastic photos (some of which are show here) of a service where nine of their congregation were baptised, which prompted the question, to a WhatsApp group of ANiE leaders, of where else this was happening,

Bishop Tim Davies, who leads Christ Church Central in Sheffield, alongside his wider episcopal ministry, wrote: ‘This Sunday we are baptising five adults. Sunday 30 July we are baptising five more adults. Three more adults and three teenagers are prepping for baptism in the autumn … along with at least three candidates for confirmation in September.’

‘This Sunday we are baptising five children from believing families, six adult converts from Islam, and two teenagers and three adult members of the congregation are publicly reaffirming their baptism vows,’ wrote the Revd Scott McKay, from Riverside Church Hull.

And so it continued, with the stories of numerous conversions, baptisms and confirmations. Louise Ragan, who is part of King’s Community Church in Charente, France, was confirmed by Bishop Andy Lines as part of their inauguration service. ‘There was no road to Damascus experience,’ she said in her testimony. ‘Something made me carry on going – so here I stand, a little bit older than average – but very happy with what is about to happen today.’

Wellspring Anglican Church, in Southwest Wales, is perhaps typical of what God is doing through these new Anglican congregations. The Revd Josh Maynard, their vicar, explains: ‘The church started in late 2021, with 8–10 people gathering in prayer, waiting on the Lord. 18 months later we are regularly upwards of 60 people on a Sunday and have already outgrown our first building. We have had the great joy of baptising a number of our members over that time, including two brave souls baptised in the sea in November and December respectively. Praise God He is building His church here through the ANiE.’

It appears the Welsh are particularly brave – with two more baptisms in the Irish Sea announced as en went to press.

The Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE) is the proto-provincial structure, which currently has two dioceses – Anglican Convocation in Europe (ACE) and Anglican Mission in England (AMiE). ANiE, which is not part of the Church of England, describes itself as ‘a fellowship of Bible-based Anglicans’ and ‘an authentic expression of Anglican church life and mission, authorised and supported by the Archbishops of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON). It is also a member of the Evangelical Alliance.’