Staff changes at The Mathetes Trust!

The aim of The Mathetes Trust is to help promote a culture of discipleship and disciple-making within the local church. Founded in 2016, it has continued to support our long-running Rooted in Jesus programme for Africa and has provided a platform for our growing EQUIP ministry to church leaders here in the UK. We have for some time been preparing for a period of transition, and we are writing now to share some exciting news.

Rooted in Jesus was first created back in 2002 as part of the link relationship between Holy Trinity church in the Diocese of Leicester and the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. For the last 23 years it has been led by Alison Morgan, who edited the course books, created the team manuals and has overseen its translation into 50 languages. But Alison has now reached retirement age, and has decided to step back from leading Rooted in Jesus in order to focus on other things.

We are delighted to announce that from 22 April 2025 Alison was succeeded as Director of Rooted in Jesus by Revd Dr David Archer. David is one of our trustees, and an experienced Rooted in Jesus team leader himself. Currently Rector of St Mary’s Purley, David is being seconded by the Diocese of Oxford to work on a half time basis with The Mathetes Trust, retaining his position at St Mary’s for the other half of his time. He will be supported at St Mary’s by his colleague Revd Aidan Jones.

What will Alison do next?

Alison says: “I first went to Africa in 1999, twenty-five years ago now. God spoke to me there, and seemed to be saying he wanted me to share in his care and concern for the people of this huge continent. This seemed hard to believe at the time, but a couple of years later the request came to develop a contextualised practical discipleship programme for our link diocese in Tanzania. We did our best, thinking that was the end of it – but then we began to receive invitations to other dioceses, and then to other countries. Rooted in Jesus has now been introduced to 116 Anglican dioceses and 7 denominational networks in 20 African countries, with many people involved in leading conferences and running groups. Looking back, I find that I personally have led 28 teams and spoken at 57 conferences in 11 countries.

“I didn’t expect to be doing any of this, but it has been a huge privilege, and I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many wonderful people in so many unimagined places. But it is now time for me to move on. I hope to write another book, and I want to spend both more time supporting family members and in my voluntary role with the RSPB and as a licensed bird ringer. I am delighted that David accepted the invitation to take over from me as Director of Rooted in Jesus. Although I am retiring I am not withdrawing, and I look forward to continuing to support the ministry of Rooted in Jesus under David’s leadership.”