Newly consecrated Bishops and their spouses from eight Anglican Provinces across the Global South have converged at Lweza Training and Conference Centre, Kampala, Uganda, for the third Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) Bishops Formation Retreat.
The retreat, held under the theme, “Formed in Christ to Guard the Gospel and Lead God’s Mission” (2 Timothy 1:13–14), running from 19th to 24th October 2025 was organized to equip, affirm, and strengthen Bishops for faithful and effective leadership in today’s rapidly changing world.
It provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal, mutual encouragement, and fellowship among Bishops committed to Biblical orthodoxy and mission-focused ministry within the Anglican Communion.
The Most Rev. Dr. Justin Badi Arama, Chairman of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) and Archbishop of South Sudan, officially opened the retreat with a call for renewed faithfulness to Scripture, strong family values, and servant leadership in the Church. He emphasized that episcopal ministry must be grounded in both spiritual integrity and the witness of godly family life.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. We gather to strengthen one another through God’s Word for greater effectiveness in ministry and to be a guiding light within the Anglican Communion. We also reaffirm that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, as God created them male and female, designed to complement and support one another in His mission.”
The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, who is hosting the retreat, is leading a series of leadership sessions focused on Christ-centered ministry, servant leadership, and stewardship of the Gospel.
Drawing from Matthew 20:25–28, Archbishop Kaziimba emphasized that authentic Christian leadership is founded on servanthood rather than power, privilege, or prestige. He urged Bishops and their spouses to emulate Christ’s humility and prayerful dependence on God, stressing that true leadership flows from a deep relationship with God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Archbishop Kaziimba identified four key leadership traits exemplified by Jesus; prayerfulness, mentoring disciples, equipping followers, and servant leadership. He explained that Jesus modeled a life of prayer and purposeful mentorship, building capable leaders through trust and example.
Quoting Philippians 2:5–7, he reminded participants that humility is not weakness but strength under control, as demonstrated when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. The Archbishop challenged the Bishops to apply these lessons practically by deepening their prayer life, investing in mentorship, and leading with humility and love so that their ministries would reflect the heart and character of Christ.
The retreat program features daily Bible studies led by Bishop Danald Jute of Kuching Diocese in Malaysia, ministerial formation sessions by Bishop Prof. Alfred Olwa of Lango Diocese in Uganda and Chairman of the GSFA Leadership and Ministerial Formation Track, and teachings from Senior Anglican leaders including Archbishop Mouneer Anis from Egypt and Canon Charles Raven from GSFA.
Bishop Alfred Olwa, said the retreat marks a crucial moment for strengthening episcopal leadership across the Anglican Communion. He noted that the gathering provides Bishops from diverse nations an opportunity to renew their commitment to sound doctrine, spiritual growth, and mission-focused leadership in an era of shifting cultural and moral landscapes.
> “This retreat is a vital moment in our shared journey to equip, affirm, and strengthen Bishops to lead with Christ-centered conviction, missional passion, and unwavering faithfulness to God’s Word. As we gather from different nations and ministry contexts, we stand united in our calling to guard the truth of Scripture and shepherd God’s people in a rapidly changing world.”
The spouses of Bishops are also participating in dedicated sessions designed to strengthen their role in ministry partnership.
On the sidelines of the retreat, participants will visit Uganda Christian University (UCU) and the Uganda Martyrs Museum Namugongo.
The Bishops Formation Retreat is part of GSFA’s broader vision to form biblically grounded, mission-focused, and spiritually mature leaders who can faithfully guard the Gospel and lead the Church in a complex global context.
