Bishop Roger Ames was officially installed as the first bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes within the Anglican Church in North America on Saturday, April 30 at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Fairlawn, Ohio. Archbishop Duncan, head of the Anglican Church in North America, presided over the service.
The Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes is one of many stories of growth within the Anglican Church in North America, resulting, in part, from the Spirit-led call by Archbishop Duncan to plant 1000 new churches in five years.
The Great Lakes Diocese was formed in 2010 and includes 21 congregations in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Ames has played a pivotal role in planting churches across the region.
Bishop Ames told the Akron Beacon-Journal, ”This sends a very clear message of our commitment to a life together as Anglicans. Church planting and growth are at the heart of the new diocese. We expect to be 50 percent larger next year.”
Archbishop Duncan expressed to the Beacon-Journal, ”Bishop Ames is a real gospel man. He’s a leader who loves Jesus and loves his people. He’s a great choice to lead the diocese.â€
Speaking about the larger mission of the Anglican Church Archbishop Duncan said, ”We’ve had great encouragement from around the world. We’re very thankful to the Lord for his blessings. Our work as a church is to reach all the world with the transforming love of God. We’re standing on the reliability of the Holy Scriptures and on the unique saving grace of Jesus Christ.â€
Ames has served as a suffragan bishop for the Anglican Church in North America though the Convocation of Anglicans in North America for four years, and also has led as a pastor for 30 years, including 20 years as rector of St Luke’s Anglican Church.
Ames also told the Akron Beacon-Journal of his excitement to be a part of the renewal of Anglicanism in North America.
”It’s a very neat thing to have reached a point that could offer a significantly different paradigm to do Kingdom work and mission in our western culture,” Ames said.
”The diocese is involved in church planting and in a ministry of healing, with healing missions held in several congregations. We are working together in the Great Lakes region to build a diocese that will recruit younger people, develop mentoring relationships and pass on the historic faith. We invite all who are interested to worship with us and join us in ministry,” Ames concluded.
Photo captions: Homepage – Bishop Roger C. Ames sings a hymn with his wife Gretsie and the congregation during his installation service. Photo credit: Akron Beacon-Journal; Above – Bishop Roger C. Ames (center right) kneels before Archbishop Robert Duncan (right) as fellow Bishops of the Anglican Church of North America join in prayer. Photo credit: Akron Beacon-Journal.
