From 10-15 February, 80 delegates, representing the Anglican Churches of the South, gathered in the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur, to meet, know and encourage one another; to follow up on the first Encounter in the South and to reflect on the place of Scripture in the life and mission of the Church in the 21st century. Because the Lambeth 1998 Conference was in view, most of the delegates were bishops or archbishops. The Archbishop of the Province of South East Asia and the Bishop of West Malaysia welcomed the delegates from over 30 nations of the world.

The delegates listened to a major address from the Encounter Chairman, the Most Revd Joseph A Adetiloye, Archbishop of Nigeria, on the Encounter theme, The Place of Scripture in the Life and Mission of the church and to one another as they witnessed how Scripture impinged on the life and mission of the Church and of the people in their different cultures. As the people prayed together, talked together and listened to God and to one another, several common issues emerged and a number of decisions were reached, including the forming of a relief agency, Anglicare, to enable a rapid response to emergency situations around the Communion.

There was the consciousness among the delegates of the presence of the Spirit of God and an awareness that people around the world were praying for them. They recognised the importance of their chosen theme for the Church at a time of difficulty and confusion in some provinces, and of growth, martyrdom, dynamic missionary commitment and quiet, but powerful, witness in others.

This suggests that the Churches of the South are beginning to take seriously, the challenges that came to them during their first Encounter that, as a result of the current demographic shift in the world Church, the future of Christianity and the hope for the fulfillment of the Great Commission now lies with them. There was a significant move towards self-reliance as most of the delegates sponsored themselves to this Encounter.

The highlight of the Encounter was the peoples' reaffirmation of their Apostolic and Reformed heritage, and as a result, recommitment to Scripture (interpreted under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) as the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.