Our Story

Ekklesia is an international society committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ, in the Anglican Way, and offering sustainable development projects to those who are most vulnerable.

Ekklesia was established in 1995 as a result of the drift of the western Anglican churches from Biblical faith. Genuine Biblical faith includes fidelity to the historic teaching of who God is and how we are to live. Key elements of this are both evangelism and care for the poor. 

Ekklesia has fostered relationships among leaders in the global south and churches still aligned with orthodox theology and practice in North America and served as a catalyst for many development projects. Faithful leaders in Africa, South America, and Asia have partnered with Ekklesia.

As the drift away from Biblical authority became more and more serious, Ekklesia was involved in the establishment of the Global Anglican Future Conference in 2008, which gave birth to the GAFCON Movement.

Ekklesia General Secretary Bill Atwood was consecrated as a Bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya in 2007 to continue networking senior leaders in the Anglican Communion. Ekklesia continues to partner with GAFCON in the pursuit of Biblical faith as Bishop Atwood serves that movement as their Ambassador.

Ekklesia’s development projects provide sustainable relief to some of the poorest people in the world, introducing stability that is severely lacking. Ekklesia’s projects include teaching to establish tithing to help others and a maintenance reserve to insure ongoing reliable operations.

The balance of disciple-making faith and actions that support those who are most vulnerable economically has been the heartbeat of Ekklesia’s operations, and remains so as we pass our twenty-five year anniversary of operations.

After serving in parish ministry for many years as a priest and local pastor of churches, in 2000 a group of Anglican Archbishops invited him to leave parish ministry to serve them full-time as General Secretary of the newly formed Ekklesia Society.  The Ekklesia Society (www.ekk.org) is an international body established in 1995.  It is composed of leading Anglican Bishops and Archbishops from around the world who are committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ by affirming the authority of the Scriptures, the faith of the historic creeds, the sacraments as instituted by Jesus Christ, and the historic apostolic ministry.
Canon Atwood formally left the Episcopal Church in his stand for maintaining Biblical faith in Anglicanism in America. He was elected Bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in 2007 by unanimous vote of the Provincial Synod to serve the Archbishop and the province’s international interests, which included providing care for the congregations and clergy in the USA under Kenyan jurisdiction.  More Archbishops participated in his consecration (installation of a Bishop) than in any other in Anglican history. He has played key roles in many of the numerous efforts, including the formation of the Anglican Church in North American (ACNA), to stand for orthodox Anglicanism in the USA.

In 2009, he was made Diocesan Bishop of the newly formed International Diocese in ACNA, which is deeply committed to maintaining the African and South American relationships that have been vital for the Gospel and in launching ACNA.  He serves as the ambassador for the the ongoing Global Anglican Future movement, as well as serving as the regional Secretary for the Americas for GAFCON. He is the author of many books, including:
Here and Coming~As it is in heaven
Are we there yet
A Banquet Seat and a Listening Ear
The General, the Boy, and Recapturing Joy

The Rev. Dr. Robert Cornelison (Rob) serves as the Director of Development & Field Operations for Ekklesia Society since April 2019. He is also the Interim Rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in South Haven, Michigan. Fr. Rob has been a pastor since August 1995 and was ordained as an Anglican Priest in December 2014.

Fr. Rob has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Seattle Pacific University. He also has a Master of Divinity, with a specialization in Intercultural Studies, and a Doctor of Ministry, focused in Urban Ministry and Community Development, from United Theological Seminary. In addition has certifications in numerous leadership and inner-healing prayer programs, including:  Advanced Trainer Certification with Timothy Leadership Training Institute; and, Certification with Deeper Walk International Institute. Fr. Rob is passionate about equipping the local church for ministry, inner-healing prayer, and developing the next generation of Christian leaders.  

Fr. Rob is married to Wendy Cornelison, the Executive Director of S.E.E.D. of Hope Global, a ministry that Stabilizes, Equips, Empowers, and Develops local ministries to reach hurting and broken women and children around the world. Fr. Rob and Wendy work together on the Ekklesia Healing the Wounds of Trauma Initiative. They live in Grand Rapids, MI and are passionate about traveling the world bringing hope and healing in the name of Jesus to the poor, the lost, and the traumatized.

Staff