Upon his return from England, Jackson became a bishop.
Ultimately, in 2016, he was elected as Archbishop of Kenya. Like Jonah, he
says, he has resisted change at every turn, but he surrendered to God’s call
when bishops all over Kenya texted him, urging him to take the position.
Today, the archbishop lives in Nairobi across the street from the state house
where the president of Kenya lives. He has travelled to every county in
Kenya preaching peace and has met with Salva Kiir, the president of South
Sudan, imploring him to stop the civil war.
Through his actions, his background shines: This is a man who combines
theology and development in a way that puts God and people first.
Jackson has now been married for 30 years to Esther. They have seven
children who grew up hearing their father sing “‘Moo’ About Jesus.” Although
life has led their father on a circuitous pathway from being a Maasai
shepherd boy to leading 5 million Anglicans in Kenya, some things never
change!
The Anglican Communion Representative to the United Nations works
in Geneva and New York to bring Anglican voices to the global stage.
The role is vital in building strong relationships so that work at the grass
roots is more effective.
The aim is to bring Anglican expertise and perspectives from across the
Communion to meetings at various levels at the United Nations.
One aspect of the team’s work is
promoting a better understanding of
the workings of UN within the
Communion – and a better
understanding of the complexities of
the Anglican Communion at the UN.
The vision is to work with UN
agencies, partner agencies such
as Anglican Mission agencies and
other faith-based organisation to
reach the UN’s Sustainable
Development goals.
Jack Palmer-White oversees the Communion’s work at the UN, dividing his
time between New York, Geneva and the Anglican Communion office in
London. He was appointed in late 2017.
Jack previously served for five years as Parliamentary Assistant and then
Social and Public Affairs Adviser at Lambeth Palace in London.
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