Exactly one year ago a Rooted in Jesus team visited the Diocese of Toamasina – the fourth of the six dioceses in the country to invite us. The conference was hosted by Bishop Jean Paul Solo and his wife Neny Daniella, and attended by 117 clergy and lay leaders.
Madagascar is the second largest island country in the world, stretching a thousand miles from tip to toe, and home to a scattered population of some 32 million people. Approximately one million of these are Anglicans, most of whom live in remote rural areas situated many miles from the diocesan centres. This means that whilst bringing leaders together for a residential training conference is possible (though not easy!), supporting them once they are back home is very challenging indeed.
Given the huge size of the diocese, Bishop Solo appointed two coordinators to oversee the Rooted in Jesus programme. Revd Jimmy Fridels supports the group leaders in the southern part of the diocese, and Revd Marlin Fety supports those in the north. Both are parish priests, and both of them have made huge efforts not only to establish Rooted in Jesus in their own churches but also to visit other parishes in order to provide encouragement and support to the newly appointed group leaders. The first year of any new programme is always the most challenging, and both of them have asked us to continue to pray for them as they do this.
Toamasina south
Revd Jimmy Fridels Rarndrianasolo reports that some of the new group leaders worship at the cathedral in Toamasina, a bustling city which hosts the country’s main port. They have made a strong start, and those attending have completed the first book. Jimmy reports that they are eager to learn and are able to recite the memory verses; some new members have been baptised.
Jimmy has also visited the parishes of Mahanoro, Abela Martiora and Brickaville to support the group leaders there. In June he was able to give certificates to those who had completed book 1, and in his most recent report he tells us that a new church is to be built at Antseranambe, in the parish of Brickaville, where there are 50 Rooted in Jesus group members.
A Rooted in Jesus group in Abela Martiora parish (L) Revd Jimmy with the group leader (R)
Toamasina north
Since the conference last October, Revd Marlin Fety has been doing his best to support the group leaders in those parishes he can reach on foot from his parish of Mananara – sometimes travelling by motorbike taxi, sometimes taking two days to walk there, often using small ferry boats. There are very few paved roads in Madagascar, and none in the area where Marlin ministers.
He writes: “Saturday evening I arrived at Mananara. My departure on foot, I left the village at 6:30 am. I made long way. Penetrated at the long forest, went up and down the hill or mountain, across the water, narrow Stony road. I was extremely tired when I came to Mananara.”
Revd Marlin travels on foot and by ferry
Despite the difficulties, Marlin is dedicated to the task he has been given. So far he has been able to provide training in five of the eight northern parishes, working with the local clergy to introduce Rooted in Jesus to the church members and help the pastors and catechists to establish their groups. He was particularly encouraged by his visit to Ambohitsara, in Antenina parish, where 151 people signed up to join groups. His most recent visit, just last week, was to Maroantsetra.
Marlin tells us that, as in the south, many of the groups are now moving on to Book 2 – he has been given ten copies for the leaders, and is awaiting more.
Revd Marlin & Revd Theophile provide training in Ampiranambo (L) Revd Marlin & Revd Benjamin provide training in Ambohitsara (R)
Prayer requests
For Bishop Jean Paul Solo and his family as they celebrate 25 years of ministry in Toamasina this October
For the three archdeacons Ven Zakariasy Anole in the centre, Ven Tsiaviry Tarsicius in the south, and Ven Berahisy Regis in the north as they minister in their own parishes and support the pastors and catechists in each archdeaconry
For the two coordinators Revd Jimmy and Revd Marlin, for health and strength as they travel, and for the resources they need in order to do so
For the teachers and students in Rooted in Jesus that they may remain diligent and prosper
For the the construction of a new church by Rooted in Jesus at Antseranambe in the parish of Brickaville, on 9th October, and for parish priest Dean Rev Rolland.
In June a Rooted in Jesus team travelled to Kitale in Kenya, led by Revd Richard Morgan from the US, along with UK team member Ben Jarvis and joined by Diocesan Bishop Emmanuel Chemengich.
The Diocese had an initial conference in 2020, just before the pandemic. Within weeks of the conference the world shut down and so the initial Rooted in Jesus groups were unable to meet. A follow up conference took place in 2022 and it was encouraging to hear of groups that were being led in parishes and of parishes which had completed all four books and were starting new groups. But given the challenges of the launch in 2020 a request from Bishop Emmanuel for an additional conference – to re-ignite enthusiasm for Rooted in Jesus in the Diocese and to train additional new leaders – was well received. The 90 participants were drawn from across the Diocese, half lay people and the rest new clergy and seminarians from St Paul’s seminary.
Conference delegates
Bishop Emmanuel is a keen advocate for Rooted in Jesus in the Diocese. He has spent much of his life as an educator and seminary leader and so was naturally involved in the delivery of the training conference.
Richard Morgan writes,
“Having seminarians as part of the conference was a great idea. There are about 100 full time clergy in the Diocese across 72 parishes with a little over 200 churches between them. There are 38 seminarians which gives you an idea of the rate of growth of the church in Kenya. To have most of those at the conference was excellent. They were enthusiastic about learning a new discipling course in a way in which clergy who have been in ministry for a long time rarely are – and they will be the ones who push forward Rooted in Jesus within the Diocese.
Bishop Emmanuel; Delegate small groups; Kitale cathedral church
Several of the St Paul’s seminary participants shared how the content had encouraged them and raised their expectations of themselves and their ministry – so that was encouraging to hear. In our final session of the second day on Repentance and Renewal there was a very tangible sense of God’s presence in the prayers. It was clear that the experience of the conference had become more than just information – that God was also directly touching people’s lives and ministering to them.
On the final day of the conference the worship after the practice groups was very powerful and at that time someone asked to come forward to receive Christ. So we had something of an altar call with two participants coming forward to receive Christ or dedicate themselves to Christ. Not what we’d been expecting – but a powerful testimony to the presence of the Holy Spirit in the worship.
I’m encouraged by the conference and the potential of so many new leaders within the Diocese. Do keep Kitale, Kenya in your prayers – and pray for these leaders as they now go out into the parishes and begin new Rooted in Jesus small groups.”
We are particularly grateful to those who prayed for the team while they were away.
In April a Rooted in Jesus team travelled to the Diocese of Kapsabet in Kenya in the North Rift and was led by Revd Dr John Eldridge with members Steve Marriott, Revd Capt Joshua Opondo and Andrew Whysall. The Diocese was established in 2016, has 47 parishes, 96 clergy, 50 secondary schools and 150 primary schools.
Delegate participation!
John Eldridge reports,
“The residential conference was held at Aldai Girls School, a few miles south of Kapsabet and was attended by 190 delegates. These were predominantly Lay Readers; two or three from each of the parishes in the Diocese. This worked well, as each of the Lay Readers came expecting to take back the training and begin discipleship groups in their local churches.”
“Each of the seven archdeacons in the Diocese attended the conference and committed themselves to support the Lay Readers in their implementation of groups within the churches in each of their archdeaconries. One of the archdeacons, Ven. Japeth Sugut, was the Diocesan Coordinator for Rooted in Jesus and he very competently organised both the conference and the arrangements for the follow up and implementation of groups as the conference came to a close.”
Conference delegates
“The team came together and worked very hard, especially given the large numbers in the sessions and workshops. It was particularly valuable to have Revd Joshua Opondo with us, himself a Kenyan vicar from a neighbouring diocese, as this gave an important local representational feel to the team. As Bishop Korir explained: “we were delighted to receive a Rooted in Jesus team from the UK, but relaxed when we heard Joshua was to be a member of the team.” There were a number of healings at the conference including a lady healed of fibroids and a man of his addiction to betting. Joshua says: “the report that I got from the Diocese is that this was one of the most inspiring conferences ever, they got new ideas not only in discipleship but for personal and family growth.”
The Diocese had prepared well for the conference, under the encouragement and leadership of the Bishop and his team – recognising the importance to the Diocese to maintain the emphasis on discipleship moving forward, and the opportunities that exist for diocesan personnel to help in future Rooted in Jesus teams.
Rooted in Jesus team
This training conference was well received by the Kapsabet Diocese and met a felt need of helping local churches grow in discipleship. The delegates participated well, even running around the playing field during breaks – this area is famous for their Kenyan runners!
The team themselves were warmly welcomed, extremely well fed and looked after by their hosts, thoroughly enjoying mountainous quantities of fruit and vegetables! They returned to the UK thanking God for the opportunity to serve Him among such loving and responsive Christians!
We are so grateful for all those who faithfully prayed for the team and the conference.
We are pleased to say that we have just published our latest Annual Report, which covers the year 2024.
The Year in Review
2024 was a busy year, with conferences held in 14 dioceses in Uganda, South Sudan, Madagascar (by The Mathetes Trust) and (by our partner organisation Growing the Church) in South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia. Additional local training took place in a number of dioceses where Rooted in Jesus had already been introduced.
The task of translating the Rooted in Jesus leaders’ booklets is continuous, as new versions are needed for new people groups, or as additional books are needed for groups moving on to the later books.
Working with local translators, in 2024 we published translations of the adult programme into Bari and the Dinka Agaac dialect for South Sudan, into Yao for Mozambique and into Lozi for Namibia. For the Junior programme we were able to produce new translations into Nuer for South Sudan, into Lingala and Lugbara for DR Congo, and into Northern Sotho for South Africa. We were also able to publish the Rooted in Jesus Team Manual and Junior Team Manual in Malagasy for use by local trainers in Madagascar.
Rooted in Jesus is now available in whole or in part in 50 languages, and Rooted in Jesus Junior in 14 languages.
An overview
Rooted in Jesus began with a single conference in Tanzania in 2002. Since then:
● 178 teams have been sent out ● 274 conferences have been held in 20 African countries ● 116 Anglican dioceses & 7 denominational networks have introduced RinJ ● 22,182 group leaders have been trained ● Many testimonies have been received
It has been a huge privilege to serve in this way for so many years in so many places.
We are grateful to all those who have sent in annual reports from their own dioceses or networks. To read the full report click here.
Until now, Rooted in Jesus had been adopted by Anglican dioceses in 19 African countries. We are proud to share that in 2024 that number became 20, thanks to the ministry of Growing the Church, which oversees Rooted in Jesus in South Africa under the direction of Revd Bruce Woolley.
We have just received their latest newsletter, in which Ven Amenlenge Alleta Shikwambi reports how the first Rooted in Jesus training conference took place in the Anglican Diocese of Namibia.
Until now Rooted in Jesus has been used in Namibia by a small number of groups trained and supported by Dignity International, where it is used in the Lozi language. We are delighted that the Diocese of Namibia will now also be able to plant new discipleship groups – and look forward to praying for them as they take the programme back into their parishes.
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. To find out more about its implementation in Southern Africa visit the Growing the Church website.
There are 6 Anglican dioceses in Madagascar, which is part of the Anglican Province of the Indian Ocean. In 2011 Bishop Gilbert Rateloson of the Diocese of Fianarantsoa and Bishop Todd MacGregor of the Diocese of Toliara hosted the first Rooted in Jesus conferences in the country. They hoped that as a grassroots discipleship programme Rooted in Jesus (known as Mamaka in the Malagasy language) would help both church and lay leaders to evangelise and teach the Christian faith to ordinary believers and not-yet believers in a way that had not previously been possible. In 2021 Bishop Todd was succeeded by Bishop Samitiana Jhonson, who has continued to prioritise mission and discipleship across the diocese; both dioceses have continued to provide ongoing training and support for group leaders.
The Dioceses of Antsiranana and Toamasina
Following the 2023 conferences we were delighted to receive invitations from Bishop Jean Baptiste Jaomandiny and Bishop Jean Paul Solo to introduce Rooted in Jesus to the Dioceses of Antsiranana and Taomasina. Antsiranana lies at the far northern extremity of the island, and Toamasina on the east coast. As always in Madagascar, both dioceses cover a vast area, most of which is poorly served with roads, transport and other infrastructure. And yet, as elsewhere, the persistent ministry of the clergy and catechists is leading to church growth. For this growth to be meaningful, the bishops wish to train and equip both clergy and lay leaders with the materials necessary to enable them to teach people to become not just churchgoers, but confident disciples of Jesus who will become active in ministry to others.
The team
The Province and Rooted in Jesus are working together to build a team of national trainers who will be able to support the Rooted in Jesus programme in Madagascar. Each diocese appoints one or two Rooted in Jesus coordinators, and they in turn are supported by a network of district coordinators who maintain close links with the group leaders in each parish. This year the training team (right) consisted of two members from England, Revd Dr Alison Morgan and Revd Dr John Eldridge, and two members from the Diocese of Fianarantsoa: Revd Jean Flobert and Miss Keziah Rateloson. Revd Flobert is the diocesan coordinator for Fianarantsoa, where he has more than 10 years experience of the programme; he was a member of the training team last year in Toliara. Keziah is the daughter of Bishop Gilbert Rateloson; a university student, she acted as one of our translators last year and leads a Rooted in Jesus group in her home diocese, where she is also a Scout leader. We enjoyed working together, each bringing our own experiences to the team and rejoicing in our complementarity and diversity.
Antsiranana: the first conference
The first conference took place in St Matthew’s cathedral, Antsiranana (below). Bishop Jaomandiny had invited 150 leaders from every parish in the diocese. Just over 40 of these were clergy, and 110 were lay leaders, including catechists, evangelists, Mothers Union, Fathers Association and Youth leaders.
The atmosphere in the conference was exceptional. Often people arrive feeling a bit shy, and uncertain what to expect. In Antsiranana they threw themselves straight into the conference, listening attentively, sharing their responses and asking questions, participating fully in the group activities and frequently bursting into vibrant and heart-warming worship (enjoy this on Facebook). Bishop Jaomandiny opened the conference and was present for most of the sessions; the Dean arranged to borrow plastic chairs from another church so that people could divide easily into small groups; a small gathering of dedicated women led by the Bishop’s wife Neny Victorine conjured generous meals out of the improvised outdoor kitchen; and participants emerged smiling each morning from their accommodation in the outbuildings of the cathedral compound.
The conference followed the usual format. Each day began with a short morning devotion, leading into a plenary teaching session. These were followed by practice groups in which the participants were divided into 15 groups to try out the material for themselves; the team began with a demonstration of the first lesson and then provided feedback to the volunteer leaders who led subsequent sessions. After a lunch break we offered three workshops, repeated daily in rotating groups so that everybody was able to attend all three: one on how to lead a RinJ group, one on pastoral care and one on prayer. This was followed by a time of ministry, because we think it important that each leader should be equipped not just materially and didactically but also spiritually for the task ahead. A final session was led by the coordinators, who helped everyone work out what support and accountability would be provided and required once they got home.
The conference ended with a commissioning by Bishop Jaomandiny, who asked each person present to commit to leading a group in their church or parish, and required lay leaders to formally state their willingness to do this; the clergy, of course, had already committed themselves to following his leadership. All 150 delegates were then given a training certificate and copies of the Leaders’ Introduction and Book 1. Books 2, 3 & 4 will be provided as they are needed.
Bishop Jaomandiny appointed two diocesan coordinators: Local businessman Odilon Rafanombzamtsoa, a local businessman (above R), who will be assisted by Didier Manamboatra, an English teacher (above L).
For the team, the next few days provided the opportunity to visit both the Montagne d’Ambre National Park, where we were joined by the Bishop and his family and the Diocesan Chancellor; and the coast, where we were able to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Indian Ocean. On Sunday we were invited to visit the parish of Anivorano Nord, where the parish priest is Revd Joavula, brother to Revd Flobert and one of the two representatives the bishop sent to the conference in Fianarantsoa last year to find out more about Rooted in Jesus. Miles of unpaved roads led us to a small building which doubles both as a family home and as a church (below); here we were greeted by about 50 members from two of the seven churches in the parish who had come together with a great air of festivity for the occasion. Alison was invited to preach, a meal of rice and chicken was provided for all, and happy chatter, worship and dancing continued for most of the afternoon.
Toamasina: the second conference
On Tuesday morning we flew, courtesy of MAF, direct from Antsiranana to Toamasina, where we were greeted by the Diocesan Administrator and taken straight to a Chinese restaurant, where Bishop Solo explained that the proprietor was an Anglican whose business they wished to support. After a magnificent meal of fish cooked in two different ways and beautifully presented, we were taken to the Palais des Roses, a hotel owned by another Anglican, where we enjoyed exceptional comfort for the next week.
The conference began on the following morning: held not in the cathedral but a half hour drive away up in the hills, where the diocese owns a 200 hectare plot, most of which is still forested. Here there is a small church, a modern training centre with three spacious classrooms, a school, and various other buildings which provided accommodation for those participants who did not live locally. Despite the startling peacefulness and beauty of this central location, many participants had had to travel for three days by bus and on foot to come to Toamasina, from the same kind of scattered rural locations and over the same variety of unpaved roads and tracks as their colleagues in Antsiranana. All had arrived smiling, and all, as in Antsiranana, threw themselves straight into the conference with unfettered cheerfulness and an openness to whatever it was that the Lord had prepared for them. Due to an unfortunate hold-up with the funding, invitations had been issued only very recently, so we were relieved that 117 people had nonetheless been able to join us, including 13 from the cathedral.
The conference followed the same pattern as in Antsiranana, with workshops taking place in the training centre and the practice groups mostly outside under the protective shade of the trees. Participants ranged in age from a retired priest in his 70s to a pair of smiling identical twins who looked to be in their early 20s. All were equally engaged with the conference, and all promised to start groups back at home – including one Youth leader who said he came from a parish with 7 churches led by 7 catechists, none of whom had been able to travel to Toamasina; he planned to invite them all to join his group, and expressed his confidence that they would accept.
The catering for the conference was ably managed by Bishop Solo’s wife Neny Danielle and their daughter Daniella, who had come to stay for a week specially for the purpose. Generous quantities of rice, chicken, fish, salad and fruit appeared at regular intervals, served on tables decorated with fresh flowers or covered with a single leaf as a tablecloth, and ending with an open air picnic where everybody sat in parish groups on mats on the grass.
Bishop Solo closed the conference with a formal commissioning, in which he too invited every delegate to raise their arm and make a prayerful commitment to start a group when they got home. Many were young, and few have done anything like this before, so the ongoing support of the two coordinators, Revd Jimmy Fridels Randranasolo and Revd Marlin Fety (above right) will be very important.
On Sunday we were pleased to be able to attend worship at St James Cathedral, where Alison was again invited to preach. The main service takes place at 6am, and the cathedral was full – with between 450 and 500 people present. Bishop Solo asked the 13 group leaders who had attended the conference to stand, and explained that they would be inviting the first 150 people to join groups very soon. After the service we were honoured to be taken out for lunch by members of the Cathedral committee.
Giving thanks
After another day of rest, we left for the capital Antananarivo the following afternoon, Flobert remaining to spend time with family members. Keziah was met at the airport by her sister, and John and Alison left the next day, having been delighted in the meantime to have breakfast with Fr Darrell Critch, a Canadian who is about to be installed as the bishop of the Diocese of Mahajanga. We hope that once he has settled in and when the time is right, we may have the opportunity to serve there too.
We are hugely grateful to Bishop Jaomandiny and Bishop Solo for making all the practical arrangements for the conferences, and to them, their families and the church members who offered us hospitality during our visit. We are also grateful to those who translated for Alison and John, to all those who prayed for us each day during our stay, to the Relay Trust who provided each diocese with a grant to enable them to hold the conferences, and to Revd Donné and Neny Vero of the Diocese of Toliara who printed the books. Last but not least, I would like to thank John, Flobert and Keziah for their unstinting commitment to making both conferences a success.
The Diocese of Maiwut is located in the NW of South Sudan, on the border with Ethiopia. Rooted in Jesus was introduced to the diocese in January 2023. By the end of the year 117 groups had completed the first two books, and all the group leaders had met together to share their experiences and evaluate the programme. This led to a request for a follow-up conference, which was held in January 2024 and attended by most of the existing leaders along with 50 training for the first time.
The Rooted in Jesus team, January 2024
The groups have gone from strength to strength, and we are delighted to pass on the following report just received from Revd John Jamuth, the Diocesan Coordinator:
“The Rooted in Jesus programme has not provided the Gospel outreach only, the team has provided a lasting friendship for both children and adults. Everywhere I visited, the people kept asking where the Rooted in Jesus team is. I smile beautifully knowing that a strong connection has been made. The group leaders and those attended the conference were still had a memories of the training and stories shared during the conference.
A Rooted in Jesus group now working through Book 3
“The coordinator team are busy visiting group leaders and encouraged those who had difficulties. Further to this, the translation team has finished the translation of the Rooted in Jesus Junior book 1 (a course in Christian Discipleship for children). The translation team has now started book 2.
Achievements:
166 group leaders are still leading their groups successfully
Rooted in Jesus Junior Book 1 – translation for children has finished
Church and community: both women and men involved equally
The programme has reached Christian and non-Christians directly and indirectly
New groups have been formed well
Books 1&2 have been completed and certificates have been awarded.”
A RinJ Womens’ group and a RinJ Youth Group have also moved on to Book 3
This report was prepared by Rev. John Jamuth Pathot, Diocese of Maiwut, Rooted in Jesus – Coordinator
Approved by: Bishop Peter Gatbel Kunen Lual, Diocesan Bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Maiwut
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. We are particularly grateful to The Relay Trust for sponsoring the conferences in Maiwut.
We have continued to receive encouraging reports and ongoing requests for prayer from those using Rooted in Jesus. Recent news includes:
Uganda
In the Diocese of South Rwenzori coordinator William Musisi has sent a video report from St John’s, Kishenga, where 268 Sunday School children (below) recently completed the first book of Rooted in Jesus Junior and were awarded certificates. We have posted William’s video on our Facebook page.
In the Diocese of Northern Uganda, which held its first RinJ conference 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 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.”
South Sudan
In the Diocese of Nyamlel coordinator William Tong reports: “We have already finished book one in April; now we have distributed book two. The groups are stronger and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yesterday I was in Langic archeaconry for the group Rooted in Jesus. It was great! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is going well in Langic archeaconry (photo below). Rooted in Jesus will be number one in Nyamlel diocese because I am encouraged by Bishop Peter Garang Akuei. And now we have started book two.”
In the Diocese of Gogrial Bishop Abraham Ngor reports: “The ‘Rooted in Jesus’ conference has positive impacts in the the Episcopal Diocese of Gogrial due to the fact that it has led to the opening of four new churches and many new converts.”
DR Congo
In the Missionary area of Lake Tanganyika, Diocese of Bukavu, Coordinator Minduli Mulanda reports that the archdeaconry and deanery coordinators continue to provide support to the group leaders in each parish. “Some are on book 2, others on book 3, and a few on book 4.” Uvira Deanery Coordinator Ezekiel has been visiting groups and offering ongoing training. He writes that two RinJ group leaders in the parishes of Kigongo and Kalonge have married one another!
Elsewhere
We have also received recent news from Madagascar, Burundi and Mozambique.
Bibles have been given to group leaders in the Diocese of Zambezia, Mozambique
New training is planned in the Diocese of Niassa in August, with books being printed for the first time in Swahili for those who need them.
Book 2 in Kirundi has been printed in Bujumbura for those leading groups in the Dioceses of Rutana and Buhiga.
Adult and Junior groups are going from strength to strength at St Mark’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, where the number of children attending has increased from 20 to 70 and the adult group (right) has completed Book 2. And the Team Manual has now been translated for the first time into Malagasy in preparation for the conferences to be held later this year.
In many places, translators are continuing to work on new local language versions of the leaders’ booklets so that everyone can follow the programme in their mother tongue.
New Malagasy edition of the Rooted in Jesus Team Manual
We are looking forward to a new series of conferences currently being planned for the autumn in Madagascar and South South Sudan.
Over the last few years Rooted in Jesus has been successfully established in the Diocese of Aru, DR Congo, by CMS partner Canon Peter Wyard and a team of local colleagues. Peter has recently returned from a further month in Aru, helping to provide further training for the existing 80 group leaders and to introduce the Rooted in Jesus Junior programme for the first time.
Conference participants dancing at the Junior conference
Peter writes:
‘My wife, Dr Patricia Strubbe, and I, Canon Peter Wyard, served in Aru Diocese as CMS mission partners for four years from 2018 to 2022, returning to the UK in December 2022. During that time, my major role was as Coordinator of Christian Education, which in the terminology of the Anglican Province of Congo essentially means discipleship. Faced with the enormous challenges of a Diocese the size of England with appalling dirt roads, the low capacity of many of the pastors and catechists, and the extreme poverty, I decided to concentrate on just one discipleship programme: Rooted in Jesus.
‘Our vision was to establish the course in every one of the 49 parishes of the Diocese, from Aru, the seat of the Diocese in the East near the Ugandan border, to Isiro in the far West in the Ituri rainforest; and from the arid region of Kumuru in the North near the border with South Sudan, to the hills of Mahagi and the Djugu region in the South, where there is continuous instability due to the presence of militias, and regular killing and displacement of people.
‘Such a vision requires a long-term programme, and great perseverance from everyone involved. First, we carried out many visits to understand the realities far from the centre in Aru and to meet the archdeacons and pastors. Then we commenced a major translation programme to translate RinJ into the main local languages of Lugbarati, Kakwa and Alur, and also into another national language, Lingala. Next, we held five conferences around the diocese; their purpose was to train the RinJ group leaders. About 400 people attended and received their certificates. And finally, the most difficult and longest phase: the faithful follow-up and nurturing of the groups that were started after the conferences. This is a huge challenge, given the low leadership capacity of many of the pastors and the multiple factors which lead to a group becoming irregular or giving up entirely. This has now become the task of the Revd. Emmanuel Etsegeri, my successor as Coordinator.
The Conferences held in Feb-March 2024
‘Although I have handed over the RinJ programme in Aru Diocese to Revd Etsegeri, I have remained involved since my return to the UK. In early 2024 the Lord opened the door for a return visit to Aru. The aim was twofold: to support and encourage Etsegeri and the group leaders with follow-up conferences, and to introduce Rooted in Jesus Junior for the first time. We held three conferences; two follow-up conferences and the Junior conference, to which participants came from every part of the Diocese. The conferences were richly blessed by God, and both we and the local team members were immensely encouraged.
‘The number of participants was 70 at the Aru follow-up conference; 100 at the Mahagi follow-up conference; 100 at the Junior conference. All of them have committed themselves to leading or co-leading a RinJ group. Some are very much on the ball, others are simple people with a low level of education, but all of them made the effort to attend, often with great effort.
‘All three of the major elements of a RinJ conference were greatly appreciated by the participants. They found the teaching solid and nourishing, and especially liked the demonstrations of water cascading from a glass to a bowl to a basin, as the renewal of the Holy Spirit flows from individual to church to community; and the demonstration of one egg, two eggs, and a hen to show different ways we can respond to the gift of new life in Christ. Although some participants were scared to volunteer to lead one of the practice groups, we saw many examples of encouraging leadership, putting into practice the principles of activity and interaction, and thinking up some novel variants of the demonstrations given in the manual. And the times of ministry by the Holy Spirit were highly valued, both by the participants (who could open up about personal difficulties and challenges they were facing, and seek the Lord’s healing) and by the team members, who really valued these times of refreshment personally.
The leaders at the RinJ Junior conference with their certificates
‘Apart from myself, the team members were all Congolese, and they did a great job. They were dependable and adaptable, and their ownership of the material and skill in presenting it has reached a very good level. We would like to thank them all: Venerable Madhira (Dean of the Cathedral and a particular advocate for RIJ); Canon Nzua (Provincial coordinator of evangelism); Revd. Etsegeri (Coordinator of Christian Education); Venerable Droma (Archdeacon of Aru); Catéchiste Apamba James (Coordinator of the Youth Department, and responsible for the Junior programme); Mama Francine, Director of the Cathedral Sunday School; Rev. Apenjong’a (RinJ local coordinator in the Mahagi archdeaconry). We also thank Ven. Georgine, the Diocesan secretary, who gave a warm endorsement of the importance of the RinJ programme at the start and end of each conference in Aru.
‘The enthusiasm and energy of the youth leaders at the RinJ Junior conference was very encouraging. There are particular challenges with finding enough leaders to make RinJ work with the huge numbers in many of the Sunday school classes, but we pray that the newly trained leaders will each find a way forward.
‘The final conference at Mahagi was especially welcoming, with a very fresh and honest atmosphere. We thank Archdeacon Niconnard for his warm welcome, and for finding solutions to all the problems – for example, when we arrived there was only enough food for the first day of a three-day conference, but with prayer and good will, enough food was forthcoming, and the participants even enjoyed a goat on the last day.
Canon Peter demonstrates he cannot play the adungu without learning as an apprentice; participants ask for ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit
‘We end with a few testimonies:
One of the participants at the Junior conference was a member of a militia group, who always carried a gun. He came to ask prayer for the strength to leave this way of life, in spite of opposition from his family who didn’t want him to give up his gun; and to return to serving God.
One young man at the Junior conference, Alex, said that it was the first time he had learned how to talk about his faith.
One woman at the Mahagi conference was illiterate, but the conference had given her the desire to be able to read the Bible, and now she was searching for a literacy class to join so that she could both improve her education and follow Jesus better.
Anther woman at Mahagi was a Roman Catholic who had accepted the invitation to attend the RinJ conference. She felt troubled by the spirits of her ancestors, and believed that a witch doctor had placed a spell in the skin of her body. She asked for prayer for deliverance from the evil spirits. Afterwards, she resolved to stop consulting the witch doctors.
One elderly man in Mahaghi now feels equipped to become an evangelist as he feels so encouraged by the RinJ programme.
In Aru, one group of participants felt overwhelmed by the difficulties of being a Christian, with no solutions to be seen. But the visual demonstrations (see above) spoke to them and gave them new hope in the power of Christ to bring them through.
Coordinator Revd Emmanuel Etsegeri adds:
“The feedback times showed that the teaching had been much appreciated. There were many testimonies after the times of ministry, and several participants made a renewed commitment to serve the Lord and his people.”
Please pray for Revd Emmanuel Etsegeri and Catechist James Apamba as they oversee the programme, and for all 80 groups in the diocese and their leaders, that they may indeed be “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as [they] were taught” (Col. 2.7).’
Revd Etsegeri sent this video report last November.
The Diocese of Maiwut is located in the far north of South Sudan, on the border with Ethiopia, where many people took refuge during the recent period of upheaval and insecurity. The region is geographically isolated from the rest of the country, with access only by river or by air, and the border with Ethiopia is officially closed, with the result that it is extremely difficult for people to obtain food and basic resources. One conference participant had sold his food parcel to travel from the refugee camp in Ethiopia, and another said people have been reduced to eating grass to survive. Hope is hard to come by and the future is uncertain.
We first sent a Rooted in Jesus team to Maiwut in January 2023. I05 people – clergy, evangelists, mothers’ union members and youth leaders – were commissioned at that conference to lead small Rooted in Jesus groups, and Revd John Jamuth was appointed diocesan coordinator.
By the end of the year John was able to report that 117 groups had been started, most within the diocese itself but some in the refugee camps where they have been planting new churches. All the groups had completed the first two books of the programme, and the group leaders had been called together to share their experiences. They reported that the Spirit of God had been working among them through the scripture memory verses, that many groups were closing their meetings with celebration and appreciation, and on a very practical note that group leaders had been accompanied by nurses who had provided medical treatment for those who had no access to health care.
Group leaders meet together to evaluate the programme; Bishop Peter leads an evaluation session for clergy who had completed Book 2 with their group
We responded to this heartening news by accepting the diocese’s request firstly that we work together to make Books 3 & 4 available in the local language of Nuer, and secondly that the team return to lead a follow-up conference. The translations were duly completed, and a second conference took place in the last week of January 2024.
The conference: a workshop and a practice group session
The conference was led by Bishop Tim Wambunya, formerly Bishop of Butere in Kenya and now Vicar of Slough and Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Oxford. Tim reports:
“In January 2023, I led a team to run an initial conference in Maiwut, the county town of Maiwut County and the seat of the Diocese of Maiwut, which also includes the county of Longechuk. The other team members were the Revd Andrew Goodman, Nadeem Azam, and Dave Ridge. The same team returned at Bishop Peter Gatbel Kunen Lual’s invitation to run a follow-up conference this January 2024. The Diocese had enthusiastically adopted the Rooted in Jesus Programme and made excellent progress, so we were keen to visit again.
“We flew right into Maiwut town’s airstrip and were welcomed in style with much singing and dancing, and after being dressed in robes and garlands, each team member had their feet washed at the nearby cathedral.
“The co-ordinator, John, knew each leader and where they were, which was very encouraging. There was a high level of repeat attendance, and a significant number of new leaders were also trained, with 170 people attending in all.
“The people were in the most difficult circumstances, yet they were generous, welcoming, and hungry for all that we taught. We were truly honoured when we were presented with a goat, a gift of significant value. The commissioning service was a great celebration.
Conference participants outside the cathedral after the commissioning service
“The team thanks all those who prayed for the trip, the delegates and the team, and as the country looks forward, with some nervousness, to the elections in December, we would ask that this young nation remains in your prayers.”
Maiwut is one of the most under-privileged places we have ever visited with Rooted in Jesus; one team member commented afterwards that the poverty was hard to take. As in many areas of the country, violence remains a part of daily life, food is hard to come by, and the elections due to take place later this year bring the fear of renewed political and social turmoil. And yet people continue to meet, to bring their struggles to God, to support one another and to pray together. Please join us in praying with them.
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust. We are grateful to the Relay Trust who provided a grant to help cover the conference costs, and to the team of intercessors who prayed daily for both team and participants.
As part of an ongoing commitment to bringing Rooted in Jesus to all of the dioceses of the Internal Province, three Rooted in Jesus conferences were held in January and February:
An Introductory conference in the Diocese of Gogrial, hosted by Bishop Abraham Ngor Mangong and held in Kuajok Cathedral
An Introductory conference in the Area Diocese of Tonj East, hosted by Bishop’s Commissary Revd Peter Aleu Kok and held in Romic Church
A hybrid Follow-up conference, with some Introductory elements for new leaders, in the Diocese of Nyamlel, hosted by Bishop Peter Garang Akuei and held in Nyamlel Cathedral
The conference locations in the Northern Province relative to the capital, Juba
Team Leader Barry Blackford reports:
‘The bishops had sent out invitations to church pastors and evangelists, leaders of the Mothers Union, Sunday School and youth groups as well as the students from the ECSS Colleges in Gogrial and Nyamlel. Across the 3 conferences we commissioned 331 new leaders as well as recommissioning 27 existing leaders in Nyamlel.
The teaching was provided by two visitors from the UK, Revd Barry Blackford and Revd David Wood, working alongside two experienced South Sudanese Rooted in Jesus Coordinators, Ven Yosefate Datiro Minaye from Nzara and Revd John Akok Akok from Aweil. The final team member was Revd Joseph Uyu, the Internal Province’s Adult Discipleship Programme Coordinator, who joined us in Gogrial.
Rooted in Jesus Coordinators were commissioned in each Diocese: Revd Albino Akeen Akoon in Gogrial; Revd Peter Aleu Kok in Tonj East; and Revd William Tong Atak in Nyamlel. The Rooted in Jesus group leaders’ books were all printed to a high standard in South Sudan in the primary language of Dinka Rek.
History
‘South Sudan is the newest nation in the world, having become independent from Sudan in 2011 after decades of fighting. Since independence, the country has suffered from a protracted civil war, a major famine and, more recently, severe flooding and the effect this has on the food supply. Whilst the security situation has improved there are still inter-tribal conflicts with over one hundred deaths in Warrap state alone, which includes Gogrial and Tonj Dioceses, in the first five weeks of 2024. The problem has been exacerbated by the influx of a large number of displaced persons fleeing the Sudanese civil war, adding to those internally displaced by the flooding.
The Episcopal Church is a relative newcomer to the Greater Bahr el Ghazal area, but has experienced rapid growth, especially since independence. Under the leadership of Archbishop Moses Deng Bol it has grown from a single diocese to seven dioceses, with another five Area Dioceses which will in the future become dioceses in their own right. Archbishop Moses is a visionary leader who has long recognised the need to create disciples rather than just converts. A few years ago, he decided that Rooted in Jesus would be the main programme for developing individuals in their faith and for evangelism – an approach which is strongly supported by his bishops.
The Conferences
‘On the way in from the airport to Kuajok Cathedral, Bishop Abraham had said that the people of Gogrial Diocese were really excited by our visit as it was the first time that somebody from Europe had come to teach and encourage them since the establishment of the Diocese. Nothing quite prepared us for the demonstration of that excitement and the welcome that we were going to receive. We were still nearly about a kilometre from the Cathedral when we saw a procession coming down the road. This was the welcome party led by the most colourful processional cross that any of us had seen. It was not possible to continue in our vehicle and so we walked at the head of the procession for the remainder of the distance to the Cathedral where we were welcomed and spent time in worship. Despite some attendees not being able to make the journey due to the tribal troubles that were occurring across Gogrial Diocese, the joy and the desire to learn more about following Jesus and how to share their faith were far greater than we had seen before. This joy and desire was reflected in Tonj East and in Nyamlel, where the welcomes were just as warm and enthusiastic, albeit without the procession!
Delegates at Kuajok Cathedral, Diocese of Gogrial
The 4-day Introductory Conferences in Gogrial and Tonj East followed the same pattern. For the first three mornings we started with Worship followed by Teaching through the use of plenary sessions, illustrative demonstrations, discussions and times of prayer. We concluded the morning with a Group activity. On the first morning, after a light-hearted demonstration of how not to lead a group, the team led the groups to demonstrate this new approach to teaching that some of the pastors initially found difficult to adjust to. On the following two mornings, attendees were selected by the bishop or his commissary to lead the small groups of ten to twelve members. The final morning concluded with a Commissioning service after the Teaching session. In the afternoons there were Workshops on leadership, pastoral care and prayer and these were followed by a Ministry time of Bible reflection and prayer.
The 3-day Follow-up Conference in Nyamlel followed the same basic format as the Introductory conferences. The Introductory Conference had been held in November 2022 and a mango tree had been planted to commemorate the introduction of Rooted in Jesus and a reminder that if we are rooted in Jesus then we will grow and bear fruit. Yosafate, David and Barry went to inspect the tree with Bishop Peter.
Conference delegates after the Commissioning in Romic, Diocese of Tonj
Reflection
‘The enthusiasm of the participants and the vision of the bishops left the team feeling very encouraged that the Rooted in Jesus training was so enthusiastically received and plans made to implement Rooted in Jesus groups in the parishes. It was reported back to us that the weekend after we left Nyamlel saw the launch of nine new Rooted in Jesus groups.
These three dioceses are all, essentially, missionary dioceses with very little by way of resources but they all have one great resource which more than overcomes any deficit: the people. Their love of God, warmness of heart and generosity towards others was the greatest resource one could ask for. Speaking of their generosity, in Tonj East they had clubbed together to buy the team a farewell present: a goat and two chickens!
The team were very grateful for all those who had willingly given their time to help make these conferences such a success and we all came away feeling that we had a bit of our hearts behind and that part of each of the dioceses will be in our hearts. We would also like to thank those who had been praying for us, especially when we had a few problems along the way.’
The Rooted in Jesus tree and the gift of a goat and chickens in the Diocese of Nyamlel
Barry’s UK colleague Revd David Wood was interviewed on Cumbria Crack radio on his return, available on their website here.
Feedback
We have been encouraged by the responses to the conferences, both from participants at the time and from the host dioceses afterwards. Please join with us in continuing to pray for them.
May I take this golden opportunity to thank Rooted in Jesus as a Christian organisation for reaching places which have never been reached in the world. No missionaries have ever come to this place therefore people are thirsty for the gospel. The Bible says a sick person is the one who needs the doctor. Rooted in Jesus is the doctor!
Bishop Peter Yuol, Diocese of Tonj
We really thank and appreciate your support and commitment of sending your Rooted in Jesus team to come and facilitate the conference in our Diocese. The conference was so colourful and many Christians who attended the conference got transformed.
Revd Albion Akeen, Diocesan Coordinator, Diocese of Gogrial
We had a wonderful conference and many of our Christians enjoyed the training as well. We were very much impressed for the work done by your team. We thank God for this partnership between the leadership of Rooted In Jesus and the Diocese of Nyamlel
Bishop Peter Garang, Diocese of Nyamlel
We are grateful to theRelay Trust who provided a grant to each diocese to help with the conference costs, and to all those who prayed daily for the team while they were there. South Sudan is not an easy place in which to work!
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. For more information about Rooted in Jesus visit our website.
The Diocese of Northern Uganda held its first Rooted in Jesus conference from 30th January to 2nd February. The conference was opened by Bishop Godfrey Loum, and hosted by Preb Simon Cawdell. Simon, who is himself an experienced Rooted in Jesus leader, is now serving with CMS as the Diocesan Holistic Discipleship Officer.
The conference was held at Gulu Primary School, a church day and boarding school located within the diocesan compound in Gulu, and was attended by 245 participants, including a group from the neighbouring Diocese of Nebbi and a representative from the Diocese of Kitgum. Teaching was provided by three visitors from the UK working alongside Simon, three members of staff from Archbishop Janani Luwum Theological College (of which Sarah Cawdell is the Principal), and the Head of the Vocational Training Institute.
Revd Geoffrey Opiyo was appointed as Diocesan Rooted in Jesus Coordinator, working with Revd Zachariah Otto who is the Head of Mission. He will be supported by a team of 9 archdeaconry coordinators who in turn will work with a local coordinator in each parish. The conference closed with a commissioning service and a rousing address by Bishop Godfrey.
Members of the translation team (Revd Caroline Aber, Revd Zachariah Otto, Revd Geoffrey Opiyo)
History
Northern Uganda has an uncomfortable history. From the late 1980s the whole region was subjected to a period of violent armed conflict as the so-called Lord’s Resistance Army engaged in guerilla warfare against the national government, committing atrocities against local people, raiding schools and villages and abducting children to serve as child soldiers. After more than 20 years of suffering during which nearly 1.7 million people were forced into refugee camps, peace was finally restored to the region – where the process of rebuilding shattered lives is inevitably still ongoing.
The gospel is not new to this part of what is now Uganda. It was first shared by CMS with the Acholi people who are the majority here in 1903, leading to the creation of a strong Anglican presence in the region. The Diocese of Northern Uganda was created in 1961, and in 2021 Bishop Godfrey Loum became its 8th bishop, quoting 2 Timothy 2.2 and committing himself to ‘preach the Word, to be prepared in season and out of season, to correct, rebuke, and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.’ This was the charge which he now repeated to those training as leaders of the new Rooted in Jesus discipleship groups, welcoming the programme as part of the diocesan vision and reminding them of the great commission with which Jesus left his closest followers: to ‘make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’
The conference
None of the pain which people still carry within them was visible on the surface as 250 people gathered joyfully in the open, grassy centre of Gulu Primary School under eight marquees elegantly decorated with white and purple cloth. A large red-flowered terebinth tree provided a living demonstration of how a tree with deep roots can produce leaves, buds, flowers and fruit. The Theological College had closed for the week so that all the students could attend the training; Simon had already introduced them to Rooted in Jesus, and 14 had volunteered to lead participants in small groups through Module 1 Lesson 1 of the programme.
Over the next few mornings the team offered plenary sessions on the nature of discipleship, on the resources provided to us by the Holy Spirit, and on the realistic expectations of ministry as explained by Jesus in the Parable of the Sower. As ever, the teaching was interspersed with small group discussion, practical illustration and times of prayer, and followed by small group practice sessions in which participants began to experience the Rooted in Jesus programme for themselves.
In the afternoons participants were divided into 9 groups for workshops led by the visiting team and the college staff on how to get going as a group leader, on pastoral care and on the life of prayer. Classrooms were used for some of these, with others carrying their chairs to shady locations in the ample school grounds. Each day finished with a time of Bible reflection and ministry.
In between all that, generous and tasty meals were provided by a team working from the open air school kitchens, and people took advantage of the opportunity to get to know one another in the first gathering they had had since the restrictions of the Covid pandemic had come to an end. It is difficult, it turns out, to stop the Acholi people from dancing, and spare moments were soon occupied – in the relentless 35 degree heat of the dry season – by vigorous and joyful expressions of dance and song. On the third day an Alur speaking participant named Joy shared that she had received the words and melody of a Rooted in Jesus song as she had been praying that morning. She taught it to the entire conference, and it was sung at the closing ceremony (listen to it here!).
Language was interesting, with the majority of participants speaking Acholi but a sizeable minority speaking Alur. A third group will use Rooted in Jesus in Lugbara. All of these are Nilotic languages, and sound quite different from the Bantu languages of the south. The Acholi translations were done by a team from this diocese; those into Alur and Lugbara had already been completed by a team from the Diocese of Aru in DR Congo. The books were printed locally to a high standard.
Books were printed in Alur, Acholi and Lugbara
Reflection
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. Mattresses had been hired, food bought, registration was carefully recorded, and certificates awarded to those who committed themselves to starting a group (which in the event was all of them). 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, and wonderful to be given the opportunity to visit Murchison Falls National Park on the way home. We remain hugely grateful to the team of people who committed themselves to praying for the conference, and are glad to hear that, just one week later, groups have already started and plans for follow-up are being put in place.
Rooted in Jesus was first introduced to the Diocese of Nzara by a team led by Revd Mike Cotterell way back in 2012 – just one year after both the country of South Sudan and the diocese itself were formed.
Conference delegates enjoying small group practice in the recent conference
Just one year later, in 2013, a full scale civil war broke out in the newly formed country as rival groups embarked on a bitter and violent struggle for power. A peace agreement was signed in 2020, the Covid pandemic which followed close on its heels eventually receded, and the Episcopal Church of South Sudan is now forging ahead with humanitarian programmes and a renewed focus on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
It was in this context that we were delighted to accept an invitation from Bishop Richard Aquilla to return to Nzara. The team was led by Revd Dr David Archer, who reports as follows:
‘The training conference was based in the cathedral and ran from Wednesday 1 November to Saturday 4 November. The UK team had additional preaching responsibilities on Sunday 5 November at the cathedral and a local church. Delegates were accommodated in the local vicinity.
The conference was held in Nzara Cathedral
‘We received a very warm reception into the Diocese of Nzara, with an almost overwhelming number of people, including many school children. We were formally welcomed at the cathedral by Bishop Richard, presented with garlands and introductions completed. The remainder of day was spent in preparation for the conference including a meeting with +Richard, Josefate Datiro, the Diocesan Coordinator, Alison Mboringba, Assistant Coordinator and Emmanuel William, Diocesan Development Director.
‘The team were accommodated comfortably and graciously at the Bishop’s residence, within close proximity to the cathedral. We felt very welcome and greatly appreciated for visiting the diocese. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all taken with the Bishop and his wife at their house, and the bishop and his wife were present throughout the conference.
‘Engagement with the programme was good throughout the duration of the conference, with 150 delegates attending. Morning teaching sessions were received enthusiastically and there was a clear willingness to engage with the materials in small group sessions. I found questions were eagerly asked during my workshops on how to lead a small group. As the training progressed, greater confidence was visible amongst the attendees in how to use and lead small groups.
Getting to grips with the methodology of Rooted in Jesus
‘The conference finished well, with Bishop Richard taking a clear lead at the closing Commissioning Service presenting certificates to 150 delegates – comprising pastors, Mother’s Union leaders, youth leaders and evangelism leaders – along with Book 1 and the Leader’s Introduction.
‘Bishop Richard is clearly deeply committed to the success of RinJ and has confidence in his Diocesan Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator. And it was wonderful to hear the testimony of Revd Abel Titus Zingbondo, Provincial Youth Director, who attributes the ministry of Rooted in Jesus in a previous conference led by Revd Mike Cotterell to be a significant factor for him now being in ministry.’
Finally, David adds:
‘The team worked extremely well together and we greatly valued our time away, while recognising that this was a physically demanding yet deeply rewarding trip. I considered it a real privilege to lead such a gifted and supportive team, and am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of Rooted in Jesus. I am grateful too that my church, St Mary’s support my involvement with RinJ, and I consider these times to be some of the most significant in my ministerial role.’
The newly trained leaders receive books and certificates
David Archer is an experienced Rooted in Jesus team leader and a Trustee of the Mathetes Trust. He was accompanied by Canon Geoff Maughan and Dan Head from the UK, working alongside Rooted in Jesus Coordinators Revd Josefate Datiro and Alison Mboringba. We are grateful both to those who upheld the team and the conference daily in prayer, and to the Relay Trust who made it financially possible.
There are 13 Anglican Dioceses in DR Congo. The Diocese of Bukavu is located in the east of the country, close to the borders of Rwanda and Burundi and running alongside Lake Kivu and Lake Tanganyika. It covers a huge area, nearly 65,000 square kilometres, and is divided into 11 archdeaconries where over 56,000 church members are served by 118 clergy, supported by 539 catechists and evangelists.
Two years ago, still in the midst of the Covid19 pandemic, we were delighted to be invited by Bishop Elisha Tendwa, who ministers alongside Diocesan Bishop Sylvestre Bahati, to send a Rooted in Jesus team to provide training for clergy and lay leaders in the southern missionary area centred on the town of Uvira. The aim is that this part of the diocese, with its 4 archdeaconries, will in due course become an independent diocese known as the Diocese of Lake Tanganyika.
The Diocese of Bukavu serves the Province of South Kivu, above. The conference locations Bukavu and Uvira are circled in red.
In 2021 Covid travel restrictions prevented us sending anyone from the UK, but a team from Tanzania and Burundi was able to travel to Uvira, and over a hundred pastors and lay leaders attended the conference. The team was led by Canon Jacob Robert, and we posted a report here.
Strengthening and extending Rooted in Jesus in the diocese
Earlier this year Bishop Bahati invited us to come again, this time not only to meet with those leading groups in the southern missionary area, but to introduce the programme for the first time to the clergy of the whole diocese. A Rooted in Jesus team travelled first to Bukavu, where 100 clergy attended the first conference, and then on by road to Uvira, where 100 clergy and lay leaders attended the second – some already leading groups, some training for the first time.
Bishop Bahati, the team and the participants at the close of the Bukavu conference
The Team
The team was led by Revd Amanda Johnson, and included members from within the diocese, from neighbouring Burundi, and from the UK. Bishop Tendwa and Ven Minduli Mulanda joined the team for the Bukavu conference, and Canon Elisha Nkeza travelled from his home in Burundi to help with the Uvira conference. From the UK, team member Bridget Lane had served for many years as a missionary in DR Congo, and Andrew Maclay had worked as an accountant in Burundi. The challenge was therefore not lack of experience, but lack of a common language, with some speaking French, some Swahili and some English, but no one speaking them all! The team were joined by translators Jean Paul and Justin in Bukavu and Ezekiel in Uvira, all of whom did a stunning job of keeping everyone on track; and by a network of intercessors praying daily from their own homes.
Bukavu
The Bukavu conference was held in a parish church, where the workshops filled the entire building as there was no outside space. Bishop Bahati explained that this was the first opportunity the clergy had had to meet together for five years, so it was a significant and joyful moment in the life of the diocese.
Rooted in Jesus is an interactive, oral and practical programme, very different from the kind of academic Bible study that most people are used to, and this perhaps presented the greatest challenge for those attending. Amanda wrote:
A vital part of what we do is to demonstrate and teach a different way of teaching: including discussion, drama illustrations. It is a method that is set in small groups, which many are unfamiliar with or have not yet learned to value. So a key part of the daily conference schedule is the small group session. We each have a group of 20 and run a demonstration small group meeting using the material from the Rooted in Jesus course. Thereafter four volunteers from the group take turns to lead in pairs over two days.
Bridget leads a workshop in Bukavu
The team found that it was not easy for the clergy to absorb what amounts to an entirely new way of learning, and therefore a new way for them to teach. And yet Amanda was also able to report:
The first day has been the best I’ve ever attended or led. All went to time, a really warm response to the teaching this morning, and in the small groups an awakening to other styles of teaching and learning. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so tangible in the prayers and ministry time. We had stillness for people to bring their burdens to Jesus.
The conference continued to go well, and it was not until the final sentence was uttered on the last day that the heavens opened and the rain thundered down on the aluminium roof.
Uvira
The team then faced a long journey, initially through Rwanda and then on a dusty road to Uvira, with Bishop Bahati accompanying them in a second vehicle in order to ensure their safety. The team were delighted by the beauty of the countryside, but found the ruined bridges and sink holes less enticing:
There is a picture of the bridge crossing – a temporary bridge in place of a broken one. Our driver tried the ford option first and got stuck in the middle of the river, but managed miraculously to reverse out. We six passengers got out and walked and the vehicle negotiated the temporary bridge successfully – thank you Lord!
The conference was held in St Andrew’s church, this time to the accompaniment of spectacular overnight thunder and lightning which brought flooding to many areas; one Mothers Union leader lost the entire contents of her home, but was immediately offered hospitality by Bishop Tendwa and Mama Fidea.
The conference participants, many of whom were lay people, were on average younger than those in Bukavu. 65 were there to train for the first time, and 35 had come for a refresher course having attended the 2021 conference. One pastor said he had already trained six additional group leaders in his parish, and they now had 45 people attending groups. Some had found it difficult to abandon their accustomed teach-from-the-front approach, but all were willing to learn, with the younger delegates leading the way.
By the end Amanda was able to say that ‘they had hearts of lions, and I can see that this mission to reach and to multiply was fully grasped by them.’ ‘It is clear,’ she added, ‘that Bishop Tendwa has focused mission in the diocese through Rooted in Jesus and is doing so effectively and determinedly.’
Bishop Tendwa, Mama Fidea, conference participants and team in Uvira
The team were immensely grateful to their hosts – for beautiful lakeside accommodation, for consistent care for their safety and well-being, and for the inspiring strength of their leadership in a country where life is far from easy.
All those who attended were given books in Congolese Swahili. We are grateful to the team for their willingness to travel to hard-to-reach locations, to those who prayed and continue to pray, and last but definitely not least to the Relay Trust whose generosity enabled the diocese to cover the costs of the two conferences.
Madagascar is the second largest island country in the world, and the 20 distinct ethnic groups share a unique blend of Indonesian and African heritage. More than 40% of the population are under the age of 15, and just 23% are literate. Many people profess the Christian faith, but traditional religious practices are also widely observed.
Madagascar has just six Anglican dioceses, each of which covers a huge area. Rooted in Jesus was first introduced 12 years ago, when we were invited to the Diocese of Fianarantsoa, formed in 2003, and to the missionary area in the south-west which in 2013 would become the Diocese of Toliara. At that time Fianarantsoa had just 14 clergy and Toliara just 3. But Bishop Gilbert Rateloson of Fianarantsoa and Bishop Todd McGregor of Toliara had a shared passion for evangelism and discipleship, and Rooted in Jesus groups were soon running in both dioceses. We went back in 2013, and again in 2017 to train Sunday School teachers to use Rooted in Jesus Junior. Both dioceses ran their own training programmes after that, and despite the twin challenges of cyclones and Covid the groups continued to grow. In October 2023 we were delighted to be invited back to help re-energise the programme following the interruptions of Covid, and with a brief to provide additional input for existing and new leaders, and form a new team of Rooted in Jesus Junior trainers.
Bishops Gilbert (Fianarantsoa) and Samitiana (Toliara)
We could not have been more encouraged by what we found! In both dioceses many groups had completed all four books of the adult programme and all six books of the Junior programme, and the leaders who attended the conferences were strong and confident in their faith – very different from the nervous young Christians we first met twelve years ago. Diocesan coordinators Ven Jean Flobert and Revd Jean Florent have worked tirelessly to support and encourage the groups: in Fianarantsoa several new parishes have been planted with Rooted in Jesus, and in Toliara Bishop Samitiana Jhonson, who succeeded Bishop Todd in 2021, has placed an ever greater emphasis on the need for personal discipleship, with all those training for leadership positions within the diocese now required to have completed Rooted in Jesus in their parishes. Cathedrals have been built, new training centres created, and ambitious and compassionate programmes of evangelism have led to a great growth of faith in previously unreached areas. In Toliara Rooted in Jesus is now being translated from Malagasy into two further languages so that everyone can join a group led in their own mother tongue.
The Diocese of Fianarantsoa
We began with a conference in Fianarantsoa, attended by 100 clergy and lay leaders, half of whom had completed or nearly completed the RinJ adult programme with their groups, and half had been invited to train as new leaders. Two representatives from the Diocese of Antsiranana were also present, following a request for Rooted in Jesus from Bishop Jaomandiny. We found that RinJ has been used in a variety of ways – a house group which has evolved into a new church with 51 members; an evangelistic youth club which combines football with discipleship; Mothers Union groups, confirmation groups, Sunday School groups and groups in schools. Leaders said they have seen people becoming Christians through the groups and that they have grown in faith themselves.
The double blow of Covid followed by a devastating cyclone had obviously caused a loss of momentum, but the leaders had remained committed and enthusiastic – with an impressive grasp of the scripture memory verses, which they said had been challenging to learn but which had caused people to change as they absorbed them into their lives. Bishop Gilbert remains determined that Rooted in Jesus should be at the heart of the life of every parish. Eight deanery representatives were appointed, a new supply of books was provided to replace the battered copies some leaders brought with them, the cathedral Sunday School group has started the new school year with a new Rooted in Jesus class, and a group is being formed for the first time in the secondary school. The conference ended with a commissioning eucharist which was recorded, along with an interview of the Bishop, by Malagasy national television, and was followed by the presentation of gifts and a magnificent sit-down lunch for 100 people.
The Diocese of Toliara
After a refreshing day off in Ranomafana National Park, the team flew south to Toliara, where we were welcomed by the Roman Catholic sisters who provided us with accommodation during our stay. The next day brought a dedication and thanksgiving service for the new accommodation block for St Patrick’s Theological College, funded by Anglican Aid; and another magnificent meal.
Then the conference began, attended by 80 clergy and lay leaders, including 15 Rooted in Jesus Junior leaders who are now themselves to become trainers. Groups have been meeting in various locations – in people’s homes, in the church, under a tree, or rotationally in different places; and on various days, mostly on weekdays, some on Sundays. As in Fianarantsoa, some groups had stopped due to Covid, but others had seen people grow and become more committed in their faith. One man had completed the programme in a group led by his priest and then become a group leader himself; another had taken his book out to where local people tend their animals, and run a group there; one priest said he has 10 groups in 3 churches in his parish, and has found Rooted in Jesus to be an invaluable tool for growth.
Rooted in Jesus is particularly strong in the eastern deanery of Fort Dauphin. Members of the deanery sported specially printed Rooted in Jesus t-shirts, and the three youngest delegates, aged 13, 14 and 15, had completed the Junior programme and asked if they could train to lead a group themselves; they taught a Rooted in Jesus song of their own composition to the conference. There were some interesting indications of spiritual growth – Revd Florent remarked that the participants were so engaged that they did not have to be reminded to turn off their phones, and the bishop was delighted to find that although the three tribes represented all have strong (and incompatible) food taboos, everyone ate everything without a murmur – which he regarded as a sign of increasing Christian maturity. He has set a notional target of 30 people in groups in each parish, and appointed deanery coordinators to provide accountability and support to the group leaders.
Another rousing commissioning eucharist and expression of mutual thanks on the last day was followed, for the team, by an afternoon dip in the Indian Ocean. Bishop Samitiana, Provincial Secretary Revd Berthier and other representatives from the dioceses were then due to take part in a consultation on the strategic development of mission and discipleship within the entire Province of the Indian Ocean, facilitated by the Relay Trust.
Giving thanks
We are grateful to the team: Colin Cooper, John Eldridge and Alison Morgan (from the Mathetes Trust), Jean Flobert (from Fianarantsoa) and Chris Hyliger (from the Relay Trust). The conferences were supported in prayer by an intercessory team of some thirty people, whose daily commitment was deeply appreciated by both team and participants. The books were printed by Revd Donné and Neny Vero Ratsimavo, internal flights were provided by the Mission Aviation Fellowship, and accommodation by the Diocese of Fianarantsoa and the Sisters Orantes of Tulear. Wonderful meals were created in both dioceses by an astonishingly small team of women and men, and financial support was provided to each diocese by the Relay Trust. Above all we would like to thank Bishops Gilbert and Samitiana for the welcome, commitment and inspiring leadership they demonstrated throughout our time together.
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. To find out more visit our website.
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.
Much of the ministry of Rooted in Jesus over the last few years has been in South Sudan, the youngest country in the world. The most recent conference was held in the far north of the country, in the Diocese of Maiwut, at the invitation of Bishop Peter Gatbel.
Coordinator John Jamuth explains:
“Gaining independence in 2011 brought more freedom of worship, fellowship and discipleship to entire Christian populations in South Sudan. Maiwut diocese was born as the result of freedom of religious expression and worship. It’s one of the youngest Dioceses in the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. Because of its location the Diocese has very limited connection with church and international partners to support the ministry and development of the diocese.”
We were therefore delighted to be able to send a Rooted in Jesus team to help the people of Maiwut establish their programme of Christian discipleship. The team was led by Tim Wambunya, formerly bishop of the Diocese of Butere in Kenya, which has been using Rooted in Jesus for some years; Tim now leads the multi-cultural church of St Paul’s, Slough. The conference was opened by the Hon. James Zan Chol, Deputy Commissioner of Maiwut county, and attended by church leaders from every archdeaonry in the two counties which make up the diocese.
The team (Nadeem, Tim, Dave and Andrew), Bishop Peter and Mrs Gatbel, Coordinator John Jamuth
Team Leader Tim Wambunya reports:
“One hundred and five people attended the conference, including about ten from other denominations in Maiwut. They were clergy, evangelists, mothers’ union members and youth. All one hundred and five received certificates and books. In addition, we had about two thousand people attend the Sunday service. This included the government Deputy Commissioner and some denominational leaders.
“The training was very well received. Participants were consistent in attending every day and keen to return to their churches to begin small groups. By the end of the conference, the delegates had nicknamed me ‘mot matut’, which means ‘small groups’ in the Nuer language. There was singing and dancing at the graduation, and the Rooted in Jesus coordinator sent a conference report to the UK team just one week after the conference – a remarkable achievement given the challenges in communication and finding a computer and internet. So it seems the diocese has got off to a great start and a strong foundation laid for Rooted in Jesus.”
Worship and teaching
What next?
One month later John Jamuth was able to report that he had been visiting group leaders in their own locations. He writes: “It was a blessing for me as they accepted Rooted in Jesus discipleship training in Maiwut centre, bomas and villages.” John has now told us that seventy-five groups have completed the first book and are moving on to the second book.
We look forward to continuing to support the ministry of Maiwut. “We have achieved very little,” John explained, “because we have no resources, and war and floods have greatly affected the community. The bishop and clergy have no salary and other means of support. We request the Rooted in Jesus team to return to Maiwut, we felt your wisdom, love and discipleship will change our community.”
That is our prayer too.
In Maiwut, Rooted in Jesus is used in the Nuer language.
Can you help?
If you would like to help us provide ongoing support to the Diocese of Maiwut, please make use of the short cuts on the right hand side of this page, or visit our support page where you will find and a gift aid / standing order form and the address to which to return it. We hope to return to Maiwut in 2024.
Photos by David Ridge and John Jamuth. Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.
We are pleased to let you know that we have now published the Rooted in Jesus Annual Report for 2022; it can be downloaded here.
The ending of the Covid19 travel restrictions led to a very busy year, with a record 23 Rooted in Jesus conferences taking place in 8 African countries. No fewer than seven of these were in South Sudan, the youngest country in the world, where Anglican churches are placing an increasing emphasis on discipleship as a tool for both consolidation and growth.
We remain grateful to all those who have given their time and resources to make this possible, and look forward, along with our partners in Tanzania and South Africa, to continuing to serve our brothers and sisters across the continent in the coming year.
Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. To find out more click here.
Rooted in Jesus 