Bishop Ackerman was pleased to receive the invitation to meet with world bishops at the June meeting in Jerusalem. Bp. Ackerman said, “This is a time for building unity of the Church based upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any opportunity we have to strengthen our fellowship upon the foundation of the Apostles is something  we need more of in a time when the winds of the day are blowing hot and strong against the House. I can’t think of a better place than in the Holy Land to return to that foundation.”

The Right Revd John-David Schofield, Bishop of San Joaquin, responded "I am very excited about GAFCON, with the emphasis on ministry, mission and outreach.  So much energy has been expended on internal squabbling. What a joy and how refreshing to see the emphasis on outreach, spreading the Gospel, and doing so with an eye not solely for ourselves but for the Kingdom of God.  As Anglicans, this is our special calling and how wonderful that we are returning to it."  

Our catholic heritage has always encourages us to openly speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ risen from the dead. The meeting at Jerusalem will help us in coming to a clearer understanding of the questions coming before the Lambeth Conference of Bishops (July 21-August 3, 2008). Not only must we be evangelical in our witness, but catholic in our plans for Anglican unity. Bishop Ackerman noted that “not all of our brother bishops have been invited to Lambeth. This will be an opportunity for these voices to be heard and to work together as stewards of faith once delivered.”