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An Update from Madagascar

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Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, has a growing population of 33 million people of whom 40% are under the age of 15. Rooted in Jesus was first translated into the national language, Malagasy, and introduced to two of the six Anglican dioceses in 2011.  Encouragingly, the Dioceses of Toliara and Fianarantsoa both widely adopted the programme amongst adults and, using the Junior programme, among youth and children.

There is much to give thanks for in both dioceses, as well as an important prayer request from the Diocese of Toamasina, where we have recently worked.

The Ven Paulin Zaralahay, coordinator in the Diocese of Fianarantsoa has sent an inspiring report. There are now 162 adult and 203 Junior groups in 22 churches or parishes across the diocese, with 1,851 adult members and 2,327 Junior members! He also reports that in 2025 they were able to open two new churches, one at Ambatovaky in Ambalavao parish, and one at Ambalakely in the Cathedral parish! Though the work is challenging, given that the diocese is large and it is difficult to visit all the parishes, the diocese plans to plant more churches, provide ongoing teaching, and continue with the work of evangelism under the leadership of the bishop, Gilbert Rateloson who now carries additional responsibility as Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean.

The Diocese of Toliara occupies the southernmost portion of the island. It is an extremely dry region, and suffers from drought, food insecurity, poor educational resources and widespread poverty. And yet here too growth is a priority. Both the newly appointed Assistant Bishop Victor Osoro and Diocesan Bishop Samitiana place a high priority on evangelism and discipleship. Revd Doyen Razafilahy, himself recently appointed as the Rooted in Jesus coordinator reports that there are now 34 Rooted in Jesus adult and Junior groups meeting in 18 churches, including one led by Bishop Samy!

In contrast, some distressing news from the Diocese of Toamasina where we last reported from in October 2025. Just as the coordinators Revd Jimmy Fridels and Revd Marlin Fety were preparing to send their annual reports, Toamasina was hit by an intense tropical cyclone. Cyclone Gezani, made landfall in the second week of February and destroyed up to 75% of the city, Madagascar’s main port. Wind gusts of up to 248 km per hour were recorded, 40 people died, and hundreds of thousands have been affected, with many losing their homes and livelihoods.

Bishop Solo wrote, “Around 28 churches cannot be used, (having been) destroyed completely. And around 800 families have become victims (with) no house to stay = 2000 people. No house and no food. Urgent needs are now food because rice fields, cassava and potatoes are flooding with water. All were destroyed and disappeared in one night.”

So the news is mixed: great blessing for those who have ministered so persistently, but tragedy for those who have once again had their lives ravaged by factors outside their own control. Life is never easy in Madagascar, with the World Bank estimating that the proportion of the population living in extreme poverty is among the highest in the world. We can only hope and pray that they will recover from this latest blow – as they have many times before.

We have published a full report on the conference on our blog.

David Archer commissioned as Director of Rooted in Jesus

The Mathetes Trust Christian discipleship, Rooted in Jesus , , , , ,

We are pleased to be able to report that yesterday Revd Dr David Archer was formally commissioned by the Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft in his new role as Director of Rooted in Jesus. The service also provided an opportunity for us to thank my wife Alison for her 25 years of ministry in Africa as she hands over the leadership of Rooted in Jesus to David. Alison was delighted to be presented with a wonderfully appropriate gift by David, on behalf of the Trustees.

Bishop Steven gave a moving and encouraging address from Colossians 2.6-7, focussing on our shared calling to be rooted and grounded in Christ. The service also enabled him to commend Rooted in Jesus to the congregation of St Mary’s, Purley-on-Thames, who had turned out in strength; to thank them for their support for this new opportunity, and to pray for David’s colleague Aidan Jones, the Associate Minister at St Mary’s. Aidan will be taking more responsibility within St Mary’s as David moves to half-time in his role as Rector.

What will Alison be doing now, people asked? Well, many things! Next Saturday she is leading a workshop at the OWL (Outdoor Worship Leicestershire) Conference at Launde Abbey. The subject of the workshop is ‘Connecting with God through Birds’. If you live nearby and would like to go, you can find out more here!

Otherwise we are getting into gear for the start of the autumn term. David is planning some new Rooted in Jesus conferences, supported by Eva who has made a great start as the new Administrator for Rooted in Jesus. Our EQUIP programme is running with a new series of meetings both by Zoom and in person, and Sue is supporting Roger in making that happen.

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

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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.