A Letter from Bishop Chris
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Jesus’ final words to His disciples were not a suggestion, but a commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)
Every local church in our diocese has been entrusted with this sacred calling. Mission is not an optional ministry for a select few; it is at the heart of the Church’s identity. A flourishing parish is not only a place where people gather for worship, but a community intentionally sent into the world to bear witness to Jesus Christ in word and deed.
The Anglican tradition has long understood this clearly. Archbishop William Temple famously wrote: “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.”
Our congregations are called to look outward toward neighbors, families, schools, workplaces, and communities longing for hope, truth, love, and belonging. Mission begins locally through prayer, hospitality, evangelism, discipleship, and faithful presence in everyday life, but it must also extend globally as we join Christ’s work among the nations. This commitment to global missions has been core to DOMA’s identity since our establishment. It is also deeply ingrained in our founding parishes - churches like the Falls Church Anglican, Truro, Church of the Apostles, and All Saints’ - along with many others.
The Apostle Peter reminds the Church: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation… that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
It is my firm conviction that the Diocese of the Mid Atlantic will only succeed as we live faithfully into the Great Commission. As I said at our last synod, we are called to “Flourish Missionally.” Flourishing churches do not merely maintain programs or preserve traditions; they intentionally raise up disciples, engage their communities, and participate in God’s mission locally and globally with joy, resource allocation, and deep conviction.
Missionary theologian Roland Allen called the Church back to apostolic mission with these challenging words: “The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of mission. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.”
As bishop, it is my prayer and desire that every congregation in our diocese would embrace this missionary calling not only locally, but internationally. I hope every parish will cultivate at least one meaningful missional partnership with an Anglican church or diocese in another nation — relationships marked by prayer, mutual encouragement, shared ministry, and Gospel witness. The Church is one body across cultures and borders, and we are strengthened when we labor together in Christ’s mission.
Personally, I just returned from a mission trip to the Diocese of Maralal in northern Kenya. I was joined by an outstanding team made up of clergy and laity from churches around our diocese including (Good Shepherd, Charlottesville, Beach Church, Virginia Beach, and Christ the King Alexandria). The trip was a powerful time centered on teaching and preaching God’s Word, Christian witness, deep fellowship, and the unmistakable work of the Holy Spirit among us. We experienced firsthand the joy of partnership in the Gospel with our Anglican brothers and sisters in another part of the world. Such relationships remind us that mission is not one-directional charity, but mutual encouragement and shared participation in God’s kingdom work among the nations.
Scripture reminds us that God’s vision has always been global in scope: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” (Psalm 96:3)
Intentional mission means asking important questions:
Who in our community is not yet connected to Christ?
How are we equipping disciples to share their faith?
How are we participating in God’s work among the nations?
What partnerships might God be calling us to form for the sake of the Gospel?
As the Apostle Paul reminds us: “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” (Romans 10:14)
May every parish in our diocese renew its commitment to intentional mission: praying fervently, serving generously, partnering globally, and proclaiming boldly that Jesus Christ is Lord. Through ordinary churches faithfully living the Gospel, God continues to transform lives and communities for His glory.
Blessings,
p.s. I would like to encourage you to take part in an upcoming equipping opportunity to partner with our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted for their faith. On September 18 & 19, the Provincial New Wineskins Mission Network is presenting a workshop titled “Breaking the Chains: Responding to Christian Persecution & Human Trafficking hosted at All Saints’ Church in Woodbridge, VA. Find out more here.