From the very beginning, Trinity has been committed to providing orthodox theological education that would impact the practical daily ministry of the local church. Our first Dean and President, the Rt. Rev. Alfred (Alf) Stanway, served as a missionary to Kenya for several decades prior to coming to Ambridge. During that time, a primary focus of his ministry was training up indigenous clergy and laity, to carry out the work of the Gospel in East Africa.

To honor his ministry and vision, the Stanway Institute for World Missions and Evangelism was established in 1989 to equip church leaders from around the globe alongside future missionaries and church planters from North America. Over the years, the Stanway Institute has ensured that the Great Commission of our Lord is never far from the hearts and minds of Trinity’s faculty, staff, and students.

This morning’s New Testament reading, according to the lectionary of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer, brings us into a conversation among Scribes and Pharisees who are disturbed by the company Jesus is keeping. “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners,” they ask. But Jesus lets them know that they have missed the point of his earthly ministry entirely, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners.”

Just about three years ago, my wife Gretchen and I were close to making the decision to join the Anglican Communion. We had learned the history of the Anglican church, studied her theology, fallen in love with the rhythms of the Book of Common Prayer and become actively involved in a local Anglican parish. But having spent nearly three decades as missionaries, we had one last hurdle to consider. Do Anglicans still do missions? If so, how?