We were delighted to be invited by Bishop Vicente Msosa to provide the first training of any kind for the people of the new missionary diocese of Zambezia in Mozambique. Bishop Vicente is passionate about the need to introduce people to Jesus and to help them to become effective disciples, and we were delighted to support the burgeoning ministry of this new diocese.
The Rooted in Jesus team was led by Bishop Martin Breytenbach, with team members from both the UK and South Africa. A two stream conference catered for both those who will lead small groups of adult disciples, and those who will use the Rooted in Jesus Junior programme to work with children. Martin reports:
The Diocese
“Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, and Zambézia is one of its poorest provinces. It is both rural and isolated. We found that many of the participants had travelled for two to three days to get to the Diocesan Conference Centre in Mocuba. Cyclone Freddy had caused great suffering and devastation; it was the longest lasting and most powerful tropical cyclone ever recorded worldwide. Although we were there two months after the cyclone, we could see evidence of it everywhere: damaged buildings, many without roofs, and large water ponds which had not been there before. We were told that people in Mocuba took refuge in the church building and centre that was still under construction. It stood firm, although most of the windows were broken.
Zambézia is a new Missionary Diocese that was formed out of the Diocese of Niassa when the 42nd Province of the Anglican Communion, the Anglican Church of Mozambique & Angola (IAMA) was created in September 2021. Bishop Vicente Msosa, who was Bishop of Niassa, elected to be translated to this new Diocese, since he has a passion for church planting and disciple making. He is a visionary leader, who needs help, support and guidance to establish a Diocese that is strong administratively, financially and with forward planning. Several people told us of the positive impact of having such a Bishop in their midst. This was the first training event in the new Diocese.
The Team
The Rooted in Jesus team L to R: Daniel, Mund, Colleen, +Martin, +Vicente, Khwezi, Tebogo, Bruce, Elke
Our mandate was to train leaders of Rooted in Jesus groups – who could make disciples who would discover their gifts and callings, and continue to make more disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). This is the normal purpose of a RinJ Training Conference. In addition, Bishop Vicente asked us to train leaders for RinJ Junior – meaning that we were running two parallel conferences at the same time.
The conference
The composition of those participating reflected that of the Diocese: mainly lay people, both men and women of all ages, some of whom are catechists. Nearly all the clergy of the Diocese were present (about 10 priests and deacons). We were very impressed with the calibre of most of the clergy. Bishop Vicente led by example and participated in the conference, together with all the staff of the Diocesan Office. Leaders of the Mother’s Union and Youth were actively involved.
The church is growing so fast that many leaders have received Jesus and know something of the New Testament, but have no prior knowledge of the Bible. What an opportunity to teach and make disciples!
Although we were expecting about 130 participants, 160 arrived in the end. They came on buses, on the back of trucks and in any other way they could. Some of them travelled for two days or more to get there. On the last day of the conference we commissioned and gave certificates to about 110 Rooted in Jesus and 50 Rooted in Jesus Junior leaders.
God is here!
The overwhelming testimony, which we heard again and again during the conference was, “God is here!”
During the first morning Barry, the Diocesan Bookkeeper, called Bishop Vicente aside. “God is here!” he said, “I don’t understand a word of English. But when Bishop Martin was speaking I could understand what he was saying without the translation!”
Drinking and drunkenness are huge problems in the region. Several participants commented, “God is here! We have never been to a conference where there has been no drunkenness or fighting – if this had been a government conference, the police would already have been here to arrest people.” They could see and experience the fruit of the Spirit for themselves, and this was a powerful witness to God’s presence (Galatians 5:19-24).
During one of the ministry sessions, we offered prayer for healing. The participants began to queue up for prayer by members of the team. We said, “We do not need to do all the praying. God is here. You can also pray for one another.” It took some encouraging, but the people prayed for each other. Several testified the next day that they had received healing from God.
The participants were extremely eager to learn. I was reminded of Paul’s experience of the believers in Beroea (Acts 17:11) when I saw a group of participants huddled together after a practice lesson, searching the Scriptures to check up on what they had been learning.
Searching the scriptures together…
And after all that?
Martin concludes: “It was exciting and challenging to introduce Rooted in Jesus and Rooted in Jesus Junior to the leaders of the Diocese of Zambézia. In the four weeks since the conference took place, it has been encouraging to hear that it is already bearing fruit. We have had reports of a number of groups that have started for adults and young people, and are meeting regularly. We have also been amazed to hear that at least four new churches have been planted – partly as a result of the way leaders were inspired and empowered. We praise God who is faithful, and give thanks for the courageous obedience of church leaders in Zambézia, Niassa and Nampula to God’s call.
To God be the glory, great things he has done, is doing, and will continue to do!”
Reflections from Daniel Maganin of the Relay Trust
We are extremely grateful to the Relay Trust, who are supporting the new Diocese of Zambezia in both practical and spiritual ways. They are funding the construction of the new diocesan compound, and they covered the cost not only of the food provided for the conference participants but also of their travel. This enabled many to attend who otherwise who would not have been able to do so.
You can listen to Daniel’s reflections on the conference here.
The last word
We have also posted a report from Bishop Vicente on our YouTube channel.
We are grateful to our partners Growing the Church in South Africa, and its director Bruce Woolley, for providing both team members and the Portuguese Rooted in Jesus books which the leaders will need to start their groups.
Finally, thanks to the many people who supported this mission in prayer. Without you, things might have turned out very differently…
We look forward to continuing to pray for Bishop Vicente and for the leaders as they start their new groups.
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.
Rooted in Jesus 