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Latest news from Rooted in Jesus

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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

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.