General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Johannes Wilhelmus Heyns van der Bijl
Licensed Chaplain, Christ Church, Heiloo
Candidate for the House of Clergy – Diocese in Europe
I am a follower of Jesus, a happily married husband, father and grandfather, and a priest with more than thirty years’ Anglican ministry in Southern Africa, North America, Africa and Europe. I currently serve as Licensed Chaplain at Christ Church, Heiloo, in the Diocese in Europe. My wife, Louise, and I have been married for more than forty years, and we have two married children and five grandchildren.
My ministry has taken me from Namibia to the United States, North-Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and now Europe, with international partnerships in India, the Philippines and Haiti. I have planted and developed churches, trained disciples and leaders, taught theology and worked across cultures. This has convinced me that the Church must proclaim the same Gospel in many cultures, while remaining willing to learn from one another.
Why General Synod?
I am standing because I believe the Church of England needs to be confident in the Gospel, serious about mission, and generous in listening to one another. If elected, I would bring experience to Synod in a spirit of grace, truth and humility.
I would particularly want to contribute to:
Mission and evangelism: helping the Church share the good news of Jesus Christ with a society increasingly unfamiliar with Christian faith.
Discipleship: encouraging churches to make mature disciples who make disciples rather than simply increasing attendance.
Healthy local churches: learning from churches that reach people across cultural and generational boundaries.
Theological formation: equipping clergy and lay leaders to understand Scripture, communicate the Gospel and engage the questions of our age.
Global Anglicanism: bringing the experience of Christians and Anglican churches beyond England into our conversations about mission and the future of the Church.
Good governance: recognising that legislation and structures matter, but that they should ultimately serve the Church's vocation to worship God and make disciples.
Whatever our differences, Synod needs members who listen carefully, think theologically, understand practical consequences and work constructively with those who think differently.
What would I bring?
Several aspects of my experience are particularly relevant to Synod.
Mission and church planting: I have planted and developed churches in several countries and served as a missionary for many years, seeing both the opportunities and difficulties of Gospel ministry in changing contexts.
Cross-cultural ministry: I have worked with Christians from Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. The Diocese in Europe is remarkably diverse, and I would value helping bring that perspective to the wider Church.
Theological education and discipleship: I founded and served as Dean/Principal of St Frumentius’ Anglican Theological College in Ethiopia, helped develop discipleship-training programmes in Africa, and continue to teach and write on Scripture, theology, mission and church history.
Writing and communication: I am the author of several books and academic publications, and I value careful thought, clear communication and engaging difficult questions without losing sight of the Gospel.
A wider Anglican perspective: I have served in different Anglican jurisdictions and understand both the strengths and challenges of working across traditions. I would come to Synod wanting to listen, build relationships and seek the good of the whole Church.
What kind of Synod member would I be?
I would listen before speaking, think prayerfully before voting, and seek the good of the whole Church rather than simply winning an argument. I would strive to represent clergy across the Diocese in Europe, including those whose views differ from my own, and communicate clearly about Synod issues and their effect on our churches.
I believe we can disagree without treating one another as enemies. The Church needs conviction and charity: courage to ask difficult questions and humility to listen carefully. Above all, I want to see the Church of England grow in confidence as it worships Jesus, proclaims the Gospel, makes disciples, and serves the world in his name.
If you believe I could serve the Diocese in Europe and the wider Church in this way, I would be grateful for your vote. I would also be happy to hear from you and answer any questions.
Johannes W H van der Bijl, De Kuilenaar 60, 1851 RZ Heiloo, The Netherlands
Email: [email protected] Mobile: +31 6 87 76 51 08

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