More than 100 leaders of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) joined Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem in a prayer service just hours before the opening session addressed by the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola.

Despite the Jerusalem bishop's public disagreement with the conference, GAFCON organisers believed that it was important for them to pray with and hear from him as the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem.

"We care deeply about the welfare of Christians in the Holy Land and take our relationships within the Anglican Communion very seriously,” Archbishop Peter Jensen says.

“The least we could do was come to Saint George's Cathedral to pray together as we begin our pilgrimage.”

Within hours, the conference went into session addressed by Archbishop Akinola.

He addressed the more than one thousand delegates saying, “The Global Anglican Future Conference holding here in the holy land this week has understandably elicited both commendation and contempt in varying measures from all who claim a stake in shaping the future identity or in destroying the traditional identity of the global Anglican Communion.”

He referred, as other leaders had, to the actions of the North American church in 2003 which he said had, “literally torn the very fabric of our common life at it deepest level” and said many were, “grumbling that we are here to break the Communion”.

But he says millions of people, within the church and without, are praying for the conference.

“For those of us gathered here in the Name of the Lord, and on behalf of the over 35 million faithful Anglicans we represent GAFCON is a continuation of that quiet but consistent initiative, a godly instrument appointed to reshape, reform, renew and reclaim a true Anglican Biblical orthodox Christianity that is firmly anchored in historic faith and ancient formularies.”

In a stirring speech which lasted about 45 minutes, Archbishop Akinola pressed home the need for such a conference.

“We cannot succumb to this turmoil in our Communion and simply watch helplessly,” he told delegates.

“We have found ourselves in a world in which Anglican leaders hold on to a form of religion but consistently deny its power. “

In conclusion, the Nigerian primate referred to a week of hard work ahead for the delegates.

“It goes without saying that we have committed so much prayer and material resources to this conference and pilgrimage. We have not come here to fantasise or day-dream.”

After the speech, Archbishop Akinola went in to a news conference with the rest of the leadership team including Ugandan Archbishop Henry Orombi and Archbishop Peter Jensen.