
A shared commitment to global mission and service was reaffirmed during the fourth annual meeting of the International PentecostalâAnglican Commission (IPAC), as delegates explored ways to deepen cooperation between the two Christian traditions.
Held June 21â27 at St. Columbaâs House in Woking, the meeting brought together representatives from the Pentecostal World Fellowship and the Anglican Consultative Council, according to a July update from the Anglican Communion.
Established in 2022 following ecumenical dialogue, IPAC first convened at Bethel Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. The commission aims to foster mutual understanding and joint action between Pentecostal and Anglican communities.
This yearâs meeting centered on themes of mission and service, with discussions covering holiness, sacramentality, worship and spiritual renewal.
âThis meeting of IPAC was refreshing and invigorating, as we further refined our shared views about prayer and worship, holiness, and mission, as given by God to the one Body of the Church,â said the Rev. Canon Christopher Wells, director of Unity, Faith and Order at the Anglican Communion Office.
âWe are learning together about the rich diversity of tribes and tongues and nations, as all of Scripture affirms; there is no one-size-fits-all style of worship, or form/pattern of ecclesial gathering,â he said. âCharismatics who are members of every church of the Church also have [a] role to play in urging inter-ecclesial charity and cooperation, in the one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, and one (water) baptism (Eph 4).â
âGod is calling us to view our communions as complementary and non-competitive, in order that we may grow and walk together, and come to âone mindâ (1 Pet 3:8) about essentials,â he added.
Participants shared stories and case studies from their respective contexts, highlighting evolving relationships between Anglicans and Pentecostals worldwide. Morning and evening prayers were led alternately by members of each tradition, cultivating what organizers described as a âspirit of mutual respect and worshipful fellowship.â
Delegates worked toward a shared theological understanding of mission and considered practical models for collaborative outreach. A final report is expected in 2026, and working groups have been established to guide its development.
During the week, IPAC engaged with local Anglican ministry in the Diocese of Guildford. Delegates attended Sunday morning worship at St. Saviourâs, Guildford, and Choral Evensong at Guildford Cathedral, where Co-Chair Bishop Royce Victor preached. They also met with Bishop Andrew Watson and his clergy to hear about local mission and church-planting efforts.
âAlthough a new dialogue, the group shares a wonderful sense of unity and joy,â said the Rev. Jacqueline Grey of the Australian Christian Churches, speaking for the Pentecostal delegation. âOur common passion for mission provided opportunities for rich discussion and debate.â
âThis was furthered by hearing from practitioners in the local Diocese of Guildford about new initiatives in mission and church planting being developed under the supportive leadership of Bishop Andrew Watson,â she said. âWe praise God for these testimonies as we discover how much our communions hold in common and the gifts we offer one another in the area of mission.â
IPAC is scheduled to meet again in June 2026, with the Pentecostal World Fellowship serving as host. The location has yet to be confirmed.
According to the IPAC communiquĂ©, the commissionâs members are as follows:
PentecostalÂ
Rev. Dr David Wells (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada), Co-Chair Rev. Dr Paul Alexander (Assemblies of God, USA), Co-Chair Rev. Dr Glenn Balfour (Assemblies of God, UK) Rev. Dr Simo Frestadius (European Pentecostal Theological Association, Elim Pentecostal Church) Rev. Professor Jacqueline Grey (Australian Christian Churches) Rev. Dr David S. Han (Church of God â Cleveland, USA)
Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah (Church of Pentecost, Ghana)Â
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