What is Rooted in Jesus?

Rooted in Jesus is an interactive group course in Christian discipleship designed for use in Africa. It is the only material of its kind written especially for the use of ordinary African Christians, rather than translated from material developed for the West – where people face different problems and challenges in their Christian lives.

Rooted in Jesus is normally introduced to a whole diocese or area, at the invitation of the bishop or denominational leader, by a team of ministers from the UK and Africa. Because Rooted in Jesus is as much a method as a course, this has proved the best way of establishing it effectively. Groups are led by pastors, evangelists or catechists, and newly commissioned lay leaders, both men and women. Many of these groups have seen people becoming Christians, experiencing answered prayer, deepening their commitment to one another and to the church, and living changed lives. There is a companion Rooted in Jesus Junior course for use in Sunday Schools.

Now in use in many African countries, Rooted in Jesus was originally created in 2002 by Roger and Alison Morgan as part of the link relationship between Leicester Diocese and the Diocese of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, at the request of Stanley Hotay, then diocesan missioner and now the bishop.

Over the last 20 years Rooted in Jesus has been introduced to over 100 dioceses and networks in 18 African countries; over 18,000 people have been trained to lead groups, and some 150,000 people have participated in the programme during that time.

Who runs Rooted in Jesus?

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust, a UK registered charity. Mathetes is the New Testament word for ‘disciple,’ and the core purpose of the Mathetes Trust is to help promote a culture of discipleship and disciple-making. The Director of the Mathetes Trust is Canon Roger Morgan, and our trustees are Revd Mike Cotterell and Canon Andrew Evans. Rooted in Jesus is edited and overseen by Dr Alison Morgan, who is also the author of the various training materials which are used to introduce and support the programme. The UK Rooted in Jesus administrator is Jessica Lewin.

In each place where it is in use, Rooted in Jesus is supported by a small group of people, each working with others – trainers, diocesan coordinators, translators, group leaders, and administrators. To find out more click here.

In Tanzania Rooted in Jesus is overseen by Bishop Stanley Hotay of the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro, and in South Africa by Bruce Woolley of Growing the Church, based in the Diocese of Natal.

How does Rooted in Jesus work?

Rooted in Jesus is introduced to a diocese through a four day residential training conference hosted by the bishop and led by an experienced team. A diocesan coordinator is appointed to support the new group leaders. A followup conference may be held a year later, and Rooted in Jesus Junior, the companion programme for use with children, may be introduced once the adult programme is established.

• If you would like to find out more about Rooted in Jesus, or invite us to visit your church and speak about making disciples with Rooted in Jesus, please do get in touch here.

• For more details about the practical arrangements, to find out what we ask from a diocese wishing to introduce Rooted in Jesus and what we are able to offer in return, click here.

• For feedback from those who have adopted Rooted in Jesus click here.

• For testimonies from group members whose lives have been changed by their participation in Rooted in Jesus click here.

How is Rooted in Jesus funded?

Rooted in Jesus is deliberately designed to be a low cost, sustainable programme. Members of our training teams cover their own travel costs and offer their time as a gift to the receiving diocese. Training conferences are held in a diocesan centre or church, and the diocese is asked to provide simple accommodation and food for participants. Anglican dioceses may apply to the Anglican Communion Fund for a grant to help them to introduce and support Rooted in Jesus.

The Rooted in Jesus leaders’ books are translated locally, and initial formatting, printing and administration costs are covered by the Mathetes Trust. We also seek to provide small grants to dioceses which are experiencing particular hardship in order to enable them to introduce and support the programme.

Rooted in Jesus supports leaders and provides opportunities for people to grow in faith, discipleship and ministry in some of the most challenging parts of Africa. The more resources we have, the more we can do to help dioceses bring growth to their people, renewal to their churches and transformation to their communities. In order to do this we are dependent on charitable donations. If you would like to help, you can do so by making an online donation using the CAF button, or by scanning the barcode, or by sending a cheque to the Mathetes Trust at 10 Dairy Close, Wells, Somerset BA5 2ND.

Bishop Martin Breytenbach writes:

“I have no doubt that God has commissioned and anointed this course for Africa
in much the same way as he is using Alpha in more urban and ‘western’ settings.
We are already starting to see remarkable things in this Diocese as people and congregations are set on fire with the love of Jesus” –

Visit the Rooted in Jesus website at www.rootedinjesus.net