General Synod Election Candidates 2026

RE-ELECT
REVD PREBENDARY DR AMATU ONUNDU CHRISTIAN-IWUAGWU
A record of service | A practical vision for the future
Vicar, St Mark & St Stephen, Bush Hill Park
Church Commissioner
General Synod member, 2021-2026
Former Director of Mission & Racial Justice
Founder, Anglican Igbo Church of the Holy
Trinity
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Five years ago, you entrusted me to
represent the clergy of the Diocese of
London on General Synod. I remain deeply
grateful. I am seeking re-election because
the next quinquennium will require
experienced, rooted and hopeful leadership:
leadership that listens to parishes, scrutinises
national decisions and keeps the mission of
God at the centre.
My ministry spans a diverse London parish,
schools and young people, the Anglican Igbo
Church I founded, diocesan racial-justice
work and national service as a Church
Commissioner. As a GMH priest, theologian,
engineer and chartered manager, I
understand both the pastoral realities at the
church door and the strategic choices made
nationally. I can connect the two - and speak
constructively across traditions.
A RECORD OF SERVICE
Persecuted Christians. I presented our diocesan motion for a Day of Prayer and Action for
the Persecuted Church, helping to secure national prayer, partnerships and practical resources
for parishes.
Governance and legislation. I have helped shape the Clergy Conduct Measure and Mission
and Pastoral Measure, and contributed to debates on safeguarding, mission, racial justice and
parish life.
National resources, parish realities. As a Church Commissioner, I bring parish experience
into decisions about the Church's resources and long-term future. I believe these assets must
be stewarded transparently, responsibly and equitably - sustaining ministry today while
protecting the inheritance entrusted to future generations.
Rooted in parish ministry. Experienced in national governance. Ready to serve
again.

MY PRACTICAL VISION FOR THE NEXT
QUINQUENNIUM
Faithful to Christ | Committed to our parishes | Hopeful for our future
If re-elected, I will use the practical levers available to a Synod member: listening to clergy and
parishes; asking questions; proposing and supporting motions and amendments; contributing
to committees and legislation; scrutinising budgets and policy; and building coalitions across
traditions. I will report back clearly and bring your experience into national decision-making.
1 FLOURISHING PARISHES AND SUPPORTED CLERGY
Parishes are where people encounter Christ, receive pastoral care and serve their
communities. I will press for national funding and policies to be tested against their impact on
front-line ministry, especially in deprived and under-resourced communities. I will champion fair
clergy support, realistic expectations and simpler processes, and use my Commissioner and
Synod experience to scrutinise whether resources are reaching mission locally. My own
experience of parish renewal, church growth, reorganisation and planting enables me to speak
from practice, not theory.
2 SAFEGUARDING, TRUST AND WELLBEING
Safeguarding will be one of the defining issues of the next quinquennium. I will advocate a
survivor-centred culture, clear accountability, appropriate independence, better support for
parish safeguarding officers and properly resourced implementation. Safeguarding is not
merely compliance: it is about justice, dignity and creating communities in which children and
adults can encounter the love of Christ safely. I will also press for clergy wellbeing and mental-
health support to be treated as essential to sustainable ministry.
3 CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND HOPE IN JESUS
Young people's mental health and neurodiversity require more than concern. I will work with
others to bring focused questions, motions and policy proposals that strengthen prevention,
equip parishes, and deepen partnerships with schools, families and specialist services. The
Church must offer practical help and also the Christian hope that every young person is known,
loved and valued by God. My parish and schools ministry, and my experience as a father, give
me both pastoral commitment and direct insight into this challenge.
4 RACIAL JUSTICE THAT CHANGES CULTURE
I will continue to move the Church from statements to measurable change: widening
participation, developing vocations and leadership, challenging barriers, and asking how
appointments, funding and institutional culture reflect the whole Body of Christ. As a GMH
priest and former Director of Mission and Racial Justice, I bring lived experience alongside a
record of bridge-building and practical delivery.
5 MISSION, UNITY AND THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
I will keep mission at the centre of Synod's decisions, support fresh expressions and parish
renewal, and encourage ecumenical and civic partnerships that help communities flourish. I will
continue advocating for persecuted Christians and help parishes turn solidarity into prayer,
learning and action. In a divided Church, I will work across traditions without surrendering
conviction, seeking the unity for which Christ prayed.
I would be deeply grateful for your first-preference vote.
With every blessing in Christ, Amatu

accountability,church growth,clergy conduct,clergy wellbeing,ecumenical,fresh expressions,justice,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,persecuted church,prayer,racial justice,safeguarding,vocations,young people