General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Election Address Dr Craig Gallen 7/09/2026

I was baptised, confirmed and brought up in the Anglican Church of Ireland but my faith became
personal when I was around 12 after I committed my life to Christ at a Scripture Union Camp.

When I first came to England as a student I joined Christ Church in Winchester and
subsequently moved to Southampton where I was variously involved with a variety of
Evangelical churches - mostly contributing to work with youth. More recently, I have been a
member of Ascension Church, Bitterne Park for over 20 years and have seen how the late Rev
Sarah Chapman and subsequent ministers have inspired a resurgence in what had become a
discouraged church community. During that time I have served twice on the PCC and more
recently on the Southampton Dioscisan Synod. I remain active in various Christian youth
organisations and in personal discipleship, particularly of young men.

I would characterise myself as a Conservative Evangelical, taking a traditional approach to
interpretation of Scripture and the need for personal discipleship. I value the rich history of the
church and welcome all expressions of faithful christianity from liturgical to charismatic. I believe
that while the wineskins may need to change, the wine remains the same. I recently completed
a Masters degree in Kingdom Theology awarded by Chester University and taught through
Westminster Theological Centre (WTC).

While I value greatly the life which independent churches have brought to Christ's body in the
UK, I believe that, for all of its faults, the Church of England has been a bedrock of faith in the
UK for centuries - while also inheriting much of its spirituality from its more Catholic
predecessors. Its core beliefs are orthodox and its influence can be profound. Many times in the
past it has seen decline and scandal but God has protected and guided it through. I believe
Christ loves his body and wants to bless the UK through it.

If I were elected to the General Synod, I would seek to listen and understand and influence the
debates in order to help the bishops and clergy fulfill their vows as the cure of souls in the
nation. I would hope to help draw the church back to its core mission of evangelising and
nurturing the faith of all the people of England and Influencing the wider society and government
where it can with the wisdom of ages present in orthodox christian teaching of the bible.

Sincerely

Craig Gallen

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