Pastor Rick Warren has called for Anglicans to “finish the task” of the Great Commission, as he addressed a meeting of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Nigeria.

The conservative grouping had gathered in Abuja, as it looked to distance itself from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Warren said he was “very proud” of the “personal integrity and courageous leadership” of those present, because those were values that were costly to follow, according to Anglican Ink. 

GAFCON leaders insisted they were providing continuity to the Anglican Communion, as opposed to breaking away from it. The meeting did not select a new ‘first among equals’ to challenge the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, with many rejecting Most Revd Sarah Mullally’s appointment, but did decide to reform the group as the Global Anglican Council. 

Speaking in a video message, Warren encouraged Anglicans to come together for global evangelism, supporting the Great Commission Allies ministry. 

Having an “unshakeable commitment” to the Bible as the “rock”, with all else “shifting sands”, would be the basis for bringing this about, he said.

Warren proposed five goals for evangelism by 2033: the training of believers to share their story, making Bibles accessible, showing God’s love practically, prayer for every unbeliever by name, and everybody having access to a local church. 

He ended his speech by saying that “a great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission will grow a great communion".