When Rev. John Charles Odeke speaks about education, he does not do it casually. For him, the opportunity to study was never guaranteed.

“I was a school dropout,” he says.

Today, Odeke is a priest serving in Achukudu Parish in Napak District, northeastern Uganda. Heis also a theology student at Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mbale University College, through the support of UCU Partners. But his path to priesthood and theological training was marked by long periods of waiting.

SOMA is stepping into a powerful new season—bringing its Spirit-filled ministry not only to the nations, but now more intentionally to churches across the United States. What began decades ago as a global mission is now igniting renewal at home, equipping believers to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and respond to God’s call with boldness. Discover how God is opening new doors through conferences like REHYDRATE and the emerging “Transformed” workshops—and what it means for the future of the Church in America.

A Diocese with a Global Vision— Under Bishop Mark’s leadership, the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes has cultivated a deep commitment to mission—both locally and globally. The Diocese supports a sister diocese in Burundi, missionaries serving in multiple regions around the world, and several Anglican mission partner agencies, including Anglican Mission Africa, Church Army Africa, Ekklesia, United Adoration, and New Wineskins Missions Network. A Global Mission section in the diocesan newsletter regularly highlights this ongoing work and encourages engagement. Yet the heartbeat of this mission is not limited to diocesan leadership—it is reflected in the life of local parishes.

The Anglican International Student Ministry Network (AISMN) exists to mobilize, connect, and resource Anglicans to love, serve and learn from international students and scholars.

Since the birth of this first New Wineskins Missions Network in 2017 (during the ACNA Provincial Assembly at Wheaton College), we have sought to discover which churches—and who within ACNA—are involved in mission among international students.

What if one simple course could ignite a deeper passion for global missions across your entire diocese? Discover how the Anglican Introduction to Missions course (AIM) can be used not only in person but as a Zoom-based initiative to help Anglicans see the bigger picture of God’s work among the unreached.

When I first arrived in Southeast Asia, I longed for connection—someone who understood not just my language, but me. God answered that prayer through an unexpected friendship with my coworker Asma, a refugee from Myanmar. What began as shared conversations about culture and life soon deepened into honest discussions about faith, as we began reading the Bible and the Qur’an together, exploring stories of prophets like Adam, Noah, and Moses. Along the way, I’ve been challenged by her perspective, humbled by our differences, and reminded of God’s holiness, mercy, and pursuit of humanity. This journey has become more than a friendship—it is a prayerful hope that, through curiosity and trust, she might one day come to know Jesus more fully.

The Gulf Atlantic Diocese is cultivating new pathways for global mission—connecting parishes, deepening partnerships, and exploring shared opportunities across the Anglican Communion. Discover how collaboration, vision, and small beginnings are opening doors for greater Kingdom impact.

I got to see what most people never see: Transformation That Multiplies— Timothy, orphaned at age six, is now a Coordinator in a Father’s Family program at another church in the diocese. He is strengthening families so the children in those families are not orphaned as he once was. In other communities, we see these families become role models, informal marriage counselors, and trusted advisors on how to save, invest, and build healthy families.

This is how transformation happens. It is not quick or always visible—but over time, it multiplies.

Each year, when preparations for Easter begin, I find myself feeling a mix of great joy and great sorrow. The Easter season is of course a time of great celebration for Christians, where we rejoice in the completed work of Christ through his resurrection. For me, it is also a time when I remember the loss and sacrifice of some of those brothers in Christ who came before me.

There has been on-going joint mission activity between the Diocese of Cascadia (Washington, Oregon and Alaska) and the Anglican Province of Myanmar for several years.  Cascadia has sent missions in the past to the dioceses of Yangon and Pyay in Myanmar, and Myanmar has sent some of their bishops to minister in Cascadia.  Unfortunately, this people exchange is currently curtailed due to the civil war in Myanmar.

On a diocesan level, the Dioceses of Cascadia, Yangon, and Pyay are companion dioceses.  Cascadia contributed funds to assist in the building of the new Pyay diocesan office building.  A delegation from Cascadia planned on attending the dedication of the diocesan office building in December 2025 but were asked by the officials in Pyay not to attend due to the civil war.  We look forward to the day when the civil war in Myanmar is over and the country opens again to in person mission activity. We have many friends in Myanmar.

Last October I got a phone call from Fr. Keith Hartsell, a priest from Grace Anglican Church, Oceanside, California, who said that he was bringing a group of teenagers to Washington, D.C. to attend the March for Life events. He wanted information about the Life Forum that we were hosting and wondered if his group was welcome. Obviously, I said YES!

At Niños con Valor, our ministry is about more than just providing a safe home for children. It’s about providing an opportunity for children to experience God’s grace and reclaim a sense of value. We specifically specialize in supporting children with complex medical needs and disabilities—little ones who have been neglected or rejected because their care is seen as too difficult or expensive. We believe these children deserve to know they are loved, and they deserve a second chance after the hardships of abuse, neglect and abandonment early in their life.

When seven year old Aisha walks through her village in northern Tanzania, people often stop what they are doing to look at her. Some whisper quietly to one another. Others point as she passes.

Aisha has learned to keep walking.

Aisha was born with albinism, a genetically inherited condition that affects the body’s production of pigment in the skin, eyes, and hair. In Tanzania, approximately one in every 1,400 children is born with albinism, one of the highest rates in the world. We stand firm in our belief that everyone, including people with albinism, is created with intention and purpose by God, and is worthy of dignity and respect.

Sadly, many disagree.

Last week, I was blessed by a visit at our Five Talents office from Archbishop Abraham Yel Nhial. We discussed various ministry projects and areas of collaboration in South Sudan where Five Talents partners with the church in microenterprise development. It was both an inspiring and sobering discussion.

His words cause me to reflect on this Lenten season in preparation of Easter. The Gospels tell us that women were the last to stay at the cross in Christ’s deepest anguish and the first to arrive at the tomb, bearing witness to His resurrection. In these most fragile moments, when hope seemed lost women showed up.

The 2022 New Wineskins Missions Conference was the second one I attended. I was amazed at my first one in 2019.

Thirty years ago today, on April 27, 1994, New Wineskins Missionary Network (formerly ECMC, Episcopal Church Missionary Community) held its first Global Mission Conference.…

On a Saturday morning in August 2023, Reverend Brian from the Anglican Church of Uganda stood in a remote forest clearing near his church on an island in Lake Victoria.

Thursdays are my busiest and best days! As I drifted off to sleep this past Thursday night, I thanked God for the life He has given me. To be honest, when John and I answered the call to move to Baltimore, I had no idea this is what it would be like, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

When we attended New Wineskins in 2022, God confirmed to us over and over that we were right where we needed to be. That we are missionaries in a city that desperately needs the love of Jesus.…

In 1993, just a few weeks into our marriage, my wife, Catherine, told me she was pregnant. We were both shocked, because that was not our plan. In fact, our plan was to wait until we’d grown up a little bit and were more established. But suddenly we were faced with a life-altering reality that we didn’t intentionally seek, but we did ultimately choose.