Eight Years on – Rooted in Jesus returns to Kajo-Keji

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus
Our latest Rooted in Jesus team has just returned from the Diocese of Kajo-Keji in South Sudan. We first went there in 2016, just before a renewal of the civil war which has taken such a deep toll on the people of South Sudan. The cathedral was burned down, violence led to famine, and by January the following year 95% of the people had been forced into exile in neighbouring Uganda. When we asked how we could best support them, Bishop Poggo’s successor Emmanuel Murye had replied: ‘The believers need Rooted in Jesus at this time of distress and spiritual need. Rooted in Jesus is the only tool and way forward to nourish the Christians and make the newly born Christian grow.’
Eight years have now passed, and we were delighted to be invited back to Kajo-Keji by the current Bishop, James Lule. Mike Cotterell led a team of experienced leaders from the UK and Uganda, and despite the ongoing suffering of the people the conference was remarkable for its joyful worship in song, dance and quiet reflection. Many of the participants had travelled from the Ugandan refugee camps where they still live; by the end of the conference 163 had been commissioned to lead small groups back at home.
We have published a full report on our blog here.
We remain truly grateful to all those who support Rooted in Jesus in prayer, on teams and through their giving. This conference was run with the support of the Provincial Office of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, and of the Relay Trust who provided a grant to the diocese to help with food and travel costs for those attending.
To find out more about Rooted in Jesus visit our website here.
Posted 14th November 2024.

Rooted in Jesus Conferences: Ministry in Madagascar

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus , ,
A Rooted in Jesus team has just returned from Madagascar, where we had been invited to introduce Rooted in Jesus to the dioceses of Antsiranana and Toamasina. Both conferences went very well, and we were delighted with the hospitality which we received.
We’ve posted a full report on our blog https://rootedinjesus.blog/2024/10/07/new-rooted-in-jesus-conferences-in-madagascar/, and if you’d like a taste of the wonderful worship please head over to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rootedinjesusforafrica/ or click the image below.
We are hugely grateful to Bishop Jaomandiny and Bishop Solo for arranging and hosting the conferences, and to them, their families and the church members who offered us hospitality during our visit. We are also grateful to those who translated for UK team members Alison and John, to our fellow facilitators Jean Flobert and Keziah Rateloson, to those who provided prayer support each day during the conferences, to the Relay Trust who helped with the funding, and finally to Revd Donné and Neny Vero of the Diocese of Toliara who printed the books.

Latest news from Rooted in Jesus

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus , , , ,
We have just received a very encouraging Rooted in Jesus report from the Diocese of Maiwut in South Sudan. Maiwut is an exceptionally poorly resourced diocese, located on the border with Ethiopia, and the ministry is led by Bishop Peter Gatbel. We first sent a Rooted in Jesus team there in January 2023, with a return visit in January 2024. Those trained have done exceptionally well in starting and leading their groups, and most groups are now on Book 3 of the programme. Translation of the Rooted in Jesus Junior programme has begun, so we look forward to helping them introduce that in due course.
We have posted the report sent by Revd John Jamuth, the diocesan coordinator, on our blog, and you can find it here, along with photos from a men’s group, a women’s group and a youth group (above).

Other recent news is as follows:

Diocese of Northern Uganda – the first conference was held here in January.
Simon Cawdell reports: “ “The Rooted in Jesus course is growing across the diocese, and some groups are now moving on to book two which is very encouraging. We are also receiving requests for training from those that missed out this time around which is  an encouragement. The new co-ordinator, Rev Opiyo Geoffrey is presently touring the diocese to support groups and ascertain progress. We are reconvening the translation group to start on book three so that we are well prepared for the next stage in discipleship development. It was great to hear from an archdeacon on one of the visits I did that the course was transforming the life of his parish and more people are coming to church as a result. We have brought together the translation team to start work on Book 3 which is very encouraging.”
Diocese of Tonj, South Sudan – RinJ was also introduced to this area of the diocese in January.
Peter Aleu reports: “Rooted in Jesus in Tonj East Romic Area Diocese is very good and we managed to opened 11 centers. Each center has 12 participants × 11 centers. These 132 people are expecting to complete Book 1 at the end of this month.
Diocese of Bukavu, missionary area of Lake Tanganyika –  RinJ was introduced to this missionary diocese in 2021, with a follow-up conference in December 2023.
Coordinator Ven Minduli Mulanda reports: “”The ministry continues in our archdeaconries and deaneries, where the coordinators transmit the reports to us after their visits to different parish groups. Coordinator Ezekiel continues to make his rounds in Uvira. Some groups are in Book 2, others in Book 3, few are in Book 4.” The group leaders are particularly grateful for a recent gift of Bibles from a UK church – it’s hard to lead a group without one!
We continue to be grateful for your prayer and support.
Posted 29 July 2024

Updates from Rooted in Jesus

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus, Uncategorized

It is always encouraging to hear from those using Rooted in Jesus. Recent news includes:

The Diocese of Morogoro, Tanzania

Anne Curnow reports that the Diocese of Morogoro has just held a further conference in Berega to train 14 people to use Rooted in Jesus Junior in Sunday Schools and church schools. The training was conducted by RinJ Coordinator Josephine Semwenda, Rev Samuel Magaza & Rev Phares Mwegoha.

News from the Diocese of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar

Keziah Rateloson reports: Last week we were in Apasimanjeva for a Scout and Mothers Union meeting. The Sunday after the celebration I took time to meet with the Rooted in Jesus Group in the Church, and they have a great group of Children and adults. Itwas so good to see how they are so motivated at Church, God is really working with them. We passed a wonderful week in Apasimanjeva as everything was going well and knowing that their Rooted in Jesus Group is going well is making it even better.

News from the Diocese of Nyamlel, South Sudan

RinJ coordinator William Tong writes: We are committed to implementing Rooted In Jesus in Nyamlel Diocese. As the work is going on at Nyamlel Diocese yesterday we have opened the office for Rooted in Jesus in Langic Archeaconry for returnees who came from northern Sudan, and they’re truamised by the war which is going on in Sudan. I am requesting you to pray for me and people of South Sudan. May God bless you all. Rooted in Jesus has brought change to our churches.
To keep up with recent news check out the Rooted in Jesus website, or visit our Facebook page.

Travelling to forgotten places : The Diocese of Maiwut, South Sudan

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus
We have now posted the second of our reports on the Rooted in Jesus conferences held so far this year in South Sudan. A team led by Bishop Tim Wambunuya travelled to the Diocese of Maiwut to hold a follow-up conference for over a hundred existing group leaders and more than fifty new leaders.
Maiwut is one of the most under-privileged places we have ever visited with Rooted in Jesus; one team member commented afterwards that the poverty was hard to take. As in many areas of the country, violence remains a part of daily life, food is hard to come by, and the elections due to take place later this year bring the fear of renewed political and social turmoil. And yet people continue to meet, to bring their struggles to God, to support one another and to pray together. The team returned tired but deeply encouraged, carrying the request that we remember them in our prayers.
If you’d like to read the report, it’s here!

Rooted in Jesus in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, South Sudan

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus
We have just posted the second of our team leader reports from the latest Rooted in Jesus conferences. This time it comes from Revd Barry Blackford, who led a blended team on a challenging visit to three dioceses in South Sudan (circled on the map). The three conferences went very well.
The first was for the Diocese of Gogrial, the second for the Diocese of Tonj and the third for the Diocese of Nyamlel – all three within the Northern Bahr el Gazal Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. 331 new leaders were trained and commissioned, and 27 existing leaders (in Nyamlel) refreshed and encouraged.
We were touched to receive these words from Bishop Peter Yuol of the Diocese of Tonj: “May I take this golden opportunity to thank Rooted in Jesus as a Christian organisation for reaching places which have never been reached in the world. No missionaries have ever come to this place, therefore people are thirsty for the gospel. The Bible says a sick person is the one who needs the doctor. Rooted in Jesus is the doctor!”
We have posted Barry’s report on the Rooted in Jesus blog here. If the spoken word is more your kind of thing, you can also listen to a radio interview with team member Revd David Wood here!
As ever, we are grateful to everyone who prayed for the team and the conferences, to the Provincial Office in Juba who printed the books, and to the Relay Trust who provided grants to enable each diocese to cover the costs of the conferences.

Tribute to Ian Cripps

The Mathetes Trust Uncategorized
We would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Ian Cripps, a longstanding member of our EQUIP programme, following his death a couple of weeks ago.
Ian was diagnosed with cancer more than four years back, at which point he was given six months to live. Many people prayed for Ian, and he was able to enjoy many more months of active life than expected – partly expressing his love for his family, partly pursuing his passion for golf, but also coming with us on various parish missions, including his last one to Slough.  Ian was an enthusiastic and tireless evangelist, and he was always very fruitful on these missions and an example to everyone. It was a particular joy a couple of months ago to listen to Ian sharing his faith on the Nicky Campbell programme.
Ian and Sue have asked Roger to take Ian’s funeral, which will be held in Uppingham Parish Church on Tuesday 5th March at 12.30 pm. All who knew and loved Ian are welcome. Please visit Ian’s tribute page here.

Rooted in Jesus in the Diocese of Northern Uganda

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship , , , ,
The Diocese of Northern Uganda has just held its first Rooted in Jesus conference! The conference was opened by Bishop Godfrey Loum, and hosted by Preb Simon Cawdell, an experienced Rooted in Jesus leader now serving with CMS as the Diocesan Holistic Discipleship Officer. The conference was held at Gulu Primary School, and was attended by 245 participants, including a group from the neighbouring Diocese of Nebbi and a representative from the Diocese of Kitgum.
This was the largest single conference we have ever run, made possible only thanks to the committed and active participation of the college, school and diocesan staff. The conference itself had been preceded by a diocesan-wide roadshow, with every archdeaconry being visited, prepared and invited to send a participant from each parish. The blended visiting and local teaching team enjoyed working together, the college students rose magnificently to the task of translating the sessions into Acholi and Alur, and everyone went home with a smile on their face. For the UK team – Alison Morgan, Roger Fenton and Hazel Aucken – it was a great privilege to be part of the ministry of this dynamic and ambitious diocese for a few days.
We remain hugely grateful to those who committed themselves to praying for the conference at home, and are glad to hear that, just one week later, groups have already started and plans for follow-up are being put in place.
To read the full report visit the Rooted in Jesus blog.

Ten Years Later! Rooted in Jesus in the Diocese of Nzara, South Sudan

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus
Rooted in Jesus was first introduced to the Diocese of Nzara by a team led by Revd Mike Cotterell way back in 2012 – just one year after both the country of South Sudan and the diocese itself were formed. Just one year later, in 2013, a full scale civil war broke out in the newly formed country as rival groups embarked on a bitter and violent struggle for power. A peace agreement was signed in 2020, the Covid pandemic which followed close on its heels eventually receded, and the Episcopal Church of South Sudan is now forging ahead with humanitarian programmes and a renewed focus on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
It was in this context that we were delighted to accept an invitation from Bishop Richard Aquilla to return to Nzara. A team from the UK travelled to Nzara to minister alongside their colleagues from within the Diocese, and 150 people attended the four day conference. The team was overwhelmed by the welcome they received and humbled by the enthusiasm with which the 150 delegates engaged with the training. Bishop Richard Aquilla writes that he has already begun a visitation of the diocese to see how the new groups are going.
We have posted a full report on the Rooted in Jesus blog, which you can read here.