26 August, 2019
“The sword that has been forged against us is already blunt; the instruments of war that the enemy is preparing have already lost their point. God has taken away in the person of Christ all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, the army may march safely on, and you may go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are already conquered.” C. H. Spurgeon
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
It is my pleasure to welcome Rev John Hallock, and the Venerable Dr. Kenneth Olebara and his congregation, Emmanuel Anglican Church in Maryland into our Diocese. May the Lord bless them richly as they become part of our gospel work here in the Diocese.
Jurisdiction over parishes in CANA.
I have heard rumors that certain CANA Suffragan Bishops have jurisdiction of our Diocesan(CANA WEST) churches in the zones/regions assigned to them by Bishop Amos Fagbamiye, the Diocesan Bishop of ADOTT. That is not true. Consequently, in my capacity as the Missionary Bishop of CANA I hereby advise you all that such rumors or claims are NOT true. I’ve confirmed with Bishop Amos Fagbamiye and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion) that no such assignment was given to the ADOTT Suffragan Bishops. They are responsible for their ADOTT parishes and for church planting in the Zones(or Regions) assigned to them by their Diocesan Bishop. Please correct and disregard such claims or rumors if you hear them so that we can focus on our gospel ministry without distraction. CANA Dioceses are affinity and non-geographical dioceses. Thank you. – Missionary Bishop of CANA.
Appointment of Canon to the Ordinary : Venerable Canon Don Armstrong III
I’m pleased to announce that I have appointed the Venerable Canon Donald (Don) Armstrong to serve as my Canon to the Ordinary in our Anglican Diocese of the West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). This will also positively enhance my role as Missionary Bishop of CANA.
The Canon to the Ordinary will represent the Bishop at meetings and events, conduct inquiries on the Bishop’s behalf, serve as a senior advisor, assist the Bishop with priority initiatives, on-going education, clergy and parish transitions (e.g installation of clergy), and other staff officer duties as assigned. Don Armstrong is a man of integrity and a dearly beloved friend who has stuck with me and Lilian in difficult times. He was there with me during my surgery in Houston last year and has continued to be a dependable friend and encourager.
I advised the Diocesan Board on August 25, 2019. Archdeacon Armstrong currently serves as the Canon Theologian of the Anglican Diocese of the West and a senior clergyman and advisor to the Bishop. He is the rector of Saint George’s Anglican Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Don Armstrong was ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas, Episcopal Church USA. He has served at St. Luke’s in North Little Rock, Arkansas, St. Michael and St. George in St. Louis, Missouri, Grace and Saint Stephen’s in Colorado Springs, Colorado and St. George’s Anglican Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado..
Archdeacon Armstrong is a former helicopter pilot and combat veteran. He was the Executive Director of the Anglican Communion Institute. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. Venerable Don Armstrong and his family reside in Colorado. Springs Colorado. Don Armstrong can be reached at (719) 360-1928 or StGeorgeRector@aol.com
Executive Archdeacon if the Diocese- Venerable Dr. Myles Calvin
The Venerable Dr. Myles Calvin will continue in his role as the Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese (Chief of Staff). Previously he had held the two positions as Canon to the Ordinary and Executive Archdeacon. We decided it would be beneficial to bifurcate the position and assign the Canon to the Ordinary role to the Venerable Canon Don Armstrong. I’m very grateful to Venerable Calvin for his gracious assistance and wise counsel over the years. He is loyal, trustworthy, stable and a man of integrity that I can trust any moment. May God requite you for your loyal and continuing service to me and the Diocese.
Diocesan Synod 2020
Our 2020 Diocesan Synod is scheduled for July 9-12, 2020 in Houston, Texas.
Theme : The Mission of the Church: Evangelism and Mission.
Plenary Speaker: The Most Rev. Dr Ben Kwashi, Bishop of Jos and General Secretary of GAFCON.
We will begin the Synod with a Holy Communion service at 6:00PM at All Saints Anglican Church in Houston, Texas that evening after which we will have our Banquet in the parish Hall. So plan your schedule to arrive early at your hotel so that the buses can pick you up by 5pm to the Church.
Knights of St. Christopher Retreat
The Knights of our Diocese will be having their annual retreat on July 7-8, 2020. I’ve asked Venerable Dr. Ben Nworie to lead this retreat. If you are a Knight please contact either Venerable Nworie at (214) 533-2192 or the President of our Diocesan Knights Council, Sir Innocent Onyenaucheya for further information at (832) 339-4000 or iokoro2000@yahoo.com
Christian Leadership
It is important for me to remind all clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese that a true Christian leader is characterized by truth-telling, humility, penitence, loyalty, holiness, godliness, respect for others, prayerfulness, Christ-centeredness, and commitment to the Bible as the primary authority for faith and practice. I am alarmed by the moral inexactitude, disloyalty, hypocrisy, and ungodliness I am seeing amongst Bible-believing christian leaders. We need to be honorable and godly in our ministry so that we are not disqualified in the end. This was why Paul the Apostle wrote this in regard to himself, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”(1 Corinthians 9:27). Bishops and clergy who preach the Bible but yet have no problem with lying and being dishonest, prideful, hateful, selfish, greedy, vengeful, opportunists, position-seekers, power-mongers, and taking advantage of others to get what they want in their hypocrisy are a hinderance to the work of God. Paul, the Apostle, says to them, “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21).
Our Diocese is committed to teaching the Bible and obeying it especially in the areas where the battle rages – the uniqueness of Jesus as the only way to salvation, holiness of life, genuine love for people of various races and ethnicities, human sexuality, marriage between one man and one woman, and Holy Orders for men. It is not enough for conservative Christians to claim to believe and teach the Bible we need to endeavor to obey it even if it is counter-cultural to do so. We are not perfect but by God’s grace we will continue to grow in the path of faithfulness to the Word of God. Let’s all do this together.
BISHOP’S VISITATION SCHEDULE(Subject to change).
June 2: Holy Trinity Cathedral Houston
June 4-9: Anglican Diocese of the West Synod, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
June 9: All Saints Anglican Church, Mississuaga, Ontario, Canada
June 16: Holy Trinity ProCathedral Church, Houston, Texas
June 21-24: Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, Rowlett, Texas
June 30-July 6: Lagos, Nigeria for Episcopal Synod and Consecration of new CANA Suffragan Bishops in the Church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion)
JULY 6- August 10: The Bishop is on HOLIDAY(USA & Sydney, Australia).
All Saints Houston Reception for the Bishop & Family – July 14 or 21st.
August 11: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Houston
August 18: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Houston
August 25: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Houston
August 31- September 2: Bethel Anglican Church, Baltimore MD
September 7-8: All Saints Anglican Church, San Antonio.
September 15: All Saints Anglican Church, Houston
September 23 – 27th : Church of Nigeria Standing Committee :
Venue: Diocese of Asaba, Bendel Province, Delta State.(September 17-30)
October 6: Holy Trinity Cathedral Houston.
October – November : Primatial Visit to CANA
November 23-25: Living Faith Anglican Church, Inland Empire, California.
November 29- December 1: Thanksgiving weekend. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Houston
December 14-15: Holy Trinity, San Antonio
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Bishops visitation schedule 2020
January 10-13: St. George’s Anglican Church, Colorado Springs
January 25-26: Epiphany Anglican Church, San Antonio, TX
A Devotional From Truth For Life.
Christ’s Victory by C H Spurgeon
“He who opens the breach goes up before them.” (Micah 2:13)
Inasmuch as Jesus has gone before us, things are not as they would have been if He had never passed that way. He has conquered every foe that obstructed the way. Cheer up now, you faint-hearted warrior. Not only has Christ traveled the road, but He has defeated your enemies. Do you dread sin? He has nailed it to His cross. Do you fear death? He has been the death of Death. Are you afraid of hell? He has barred it against the advent of any of His children; they shall never see the gulf of perdition. Whatever foes may be before the Christian, they are all overcome. There are lions, but their teeth are broken; there are serpents, but their fangs are extracted; there are rivers, but they are bridged or fordable; there are flames, but we wear that matchless garment that renders us invulnerable to fire.
The sword that has been forged against us is already blunt; the instruments of war that the enemy is preparing have already lost their point. God has taken away in the person of Christ all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, the army may march safely on, and you may go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are already conquered. What will you do but march on to take the prey? They are beaten, they are vanquished; all you have to do is share the plunder. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight will be with a defeated foe. His head is broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength will not be sufficient for his malicious design. Your victory shall be easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all measure
Proclaim aloud the Savior’s fame,
Who bears the Breaker’s wond’rous name;
Sweet name; and it becomes him well,
Who breaks down earth, sin, death, and hell.”
(This Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg.)
Warm regards,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Felix Orji, ECCK, OSB.
Diocesan Bishop | Anglican Diocese of the West
Missionary Bishop | CANA
Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
