General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Candidate for the House of Laity:
General Synod 2026
GÜVEN
KULAKÇIOĞLU
CONTACT
WHO AM I?
+90 5071544439
I am a Turkish- New Zealander Christian deeply
passionate about visual media, communication
sciences, films and the rich theological heritage handed
down to us. I am a lay catechist and a theology
enthusiast who was brought up and served in
evangelical churches until 2025. One of my greatest joys
is seeing historical theology take root and grow in the
visual arts and hearts of local believers, drawing them
closer to God.
My journey has been shaped by deep dives into Christian
theology and philosophy, and the effort to incorporate
them into the training and practice of my vocation in the
audio-visual arts. I firmly believe that the depth of our
Anglican heritage is not meant to be locked away in
libraries and universities, but should be made available,
accessible, and alive for the benefit of all Christians.
[email protected]
Christ Church İstanbul, Türkiye
Proposer: Kingsley Ezeani,
[email protected] (Christ Church Düsseldorf)
Seconder: Charlotte Lomax,
[email protected] (Trinity Church Lyon)
ACADEMIC & CHURCH LIFE
I bring a synthesis of theological study,
hands-on local discipleship, and professional
communication skills to the table.
Film & Communications:
I earned my undergraduate degree in Radio,
Television and Cinema from Istanbul
University. During that time, I became aware
of the power of media and how little Christians
use it to their advantage. Since then, I have
found myself spending my days searching for
how meaning, beauty, and truth can
effectively be communicated visually.
I actively use this background for the Church,
having volunteered my media and broadcast
skills for a local Christian radio station and
Bible camps.
What I Bring
I desire that the Church of England remains anchored in
its historic faith while communicating that faith with
clarity and beauty to a modern world. To the General
Synod, I will stand for three areas central to the Church’s
mission:
Theological Resourcing for Local Parishes:
The faith and heritage handed down to us must be made
available to us. I will champion efforts to prioritise
effective catechesis for modern believers, ensuring
diverse congregations have the translated resources
and teachings they need to grow in orthodox faith.

ACADEMIC & CHURCH LIFE
Student Outreach:
For the last three years, I have been active in the
local Christian Union meetings for university
students. In 2025, I have had the privilege of
seeing Christian students at Istanbul University
taking the initiative to regularly gather together
to read Scripture, pray and encourage each
other.
Lay Catechesis & Translation:
I was a bible study leader in my prior church and
now at Christ Church Istanbul, with the
permission of my chaplain, I serve as a lay
catechist and lead Bible studies. I work to bring
the abundance of English theological resources
into the local language, translating the Church
Fathers, Reformers and Divines so that the
Turkish-speaking Christian world can grow and
deepen through the richness of the history of
the Church.
What I Bring
Clarity of Public Witness:
As a communications and media worker, I
understand that how we communicate is as vital
as what we communicate. I want to put my
professional background at the service of the
Church, helping to ensure legislative work and
public messaging reflect the truth and beauty of
Christ to a watching world.
Peaceable, Principled Consensus:
Our Church faces significant conversations.
Drawing from my background of serving in
various evangelical churches and now in a high
church setting, I am committed to fostering a
culture of grace and patient listening, seeking
consensus where possible, and speaking truth
with charity where we differ, always aiming to
persuade the middle ground rather than driving
division.
My Commitment to You
I will commit myself to being:
Faithful to our Heritage:
In upholding and safeguarding the historic, scriptural truth of our faith in church legislation.
Accessibile:
Remaining approachable to all electors and providing transparent communication.
Diligent in Labour:
Labouring tirelessly to represent the voices of the laity, bringing a grounded, ecumenical and
theologically informed perspective to discussions.
I would consider it a profound privilege to serve our diocese, and I humbly ask for your first-
preference vote in this election.
May the Lord grant us all wisdom and discernment in this election, and may His peace and truth
guide our Church in the years ahead. Amen.

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