The Diocese of Mara is centred on Musoma, on the shores of Lake Victoria

The Diocese of Mara has been using Rooted in Jesus to great effect since 2011, and there are now over 80 groups meeting, one or more in almost every parish of the diocese, many of which are now completing the programme – known locally as ‘The Family of One Heart and One Mind in Rooted in Jesus’. Rooted in Jesus Junior was introduced in 2013, and over 70 Sunday Schools now teach their children this way. The programme is overseen by Canon Jacob Robert (adult) and Revd Grace Daudi (children). Jacob is also part of the national leadership team for RinJ in northern Tanzania, and now the bishop elect of this diocese.

Jacob had invited us to return to Musoma, the centre of the Diocese (where support for RinJ has also been provided through a team from the link Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist in South Africa) to run two conferences: one for Sunday School teachers, and one for Mothers Union leaders. This is the first time we have ever run a conference specifically for women leaders, and as Jacob prepares to begin his episcopal ministry it was an excellent way of affirming the growing ministry of women in the diocese. It was a privilege to work alongside Grace, the MU President, and her deputy Beatrice, who had worked hard to organise the conferences.

A workshop at the women’s conference

The conferences were attended by some 90 participants from across the diocese, about 70 of whom received certificates qualifying them to lead either Sunday School or Mothers Union groups. The numbers were evenly divided between the two conferences, the big surprise (for us) being the high proportion of young men chosen to represent their parishes at the Junior conference – there are few leadership opportunities for younger people within the church, it seems, and it was encouraging to see the energy and commitment they brought to the conference.

After the conferences were over, the team divided, with Alison and Kim remaining in Mara before travelling to Arusha, and the others moving down to the Diocese of Masasi in the south to lead a further RinJ Junior conference. It was a privilege for Alison and Kim to be able to spend a couple of days visiting parishes which have RinJ groups: we went to Bunda on Saturday, to Butiama and Nyakiswa on Sunday, and Buhemba and Gesaria on Monday. In Bunda we met with an established Junior group led by Christina, with 20 enthusiastic children keen to answer questions and share memory verses. In Buhemba, where the church has some 1000 members, we met with a women’s group newly formed by a conference participant, and heard of the two new Junior groups also formed the day before. In Gerasia we listened to powerful testimonies from three existing group members, and were invited by Pastor Samuel to name the new church (now called Holy Trinity), before meeting some of the orphans cared for by the church, and feasting on rice and meat in his traditional walled family home.

Members of the RinJ Junior group in Bondo

Alison and Kim then travelled by road across northern Tanzania via the Serengeti National Park to Arusha, where we met with Bishop Stanley Hotay and the new RinJ administrator Cate Mwega, with Jacob Robert and Linnet Smith who was coming to the end of her last visit as RinJ Link Officer. It was good to hear of the plans for expansion and development of RinJ within the Province, and particularly of the recent Synod meeting of 10 bishops with Bishops Stanley Hotay and James Almasi. Cate is doing an excellent job as RinJ administrator, and there are plans to appoint two new deputy zonal coordinators to support Jacob and +James in their roles. Morale is high, and further conferences are due to take place in Masasi, Lweru, Victoria Nyanza and Mpwapwa in the next few months, supported by the Anglican Communion Fund grant received earlier this year.

Travelling within the diocese

Posted 8th August 2015 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

Rooted in Jesus Junior is a Sunday School discipleship programme for use with 8-14 year olds. Normally introduced once the adult programme has been in use in a diocese for some time, it had now been adopted by 11 dioceses/denominations. Jonathan Rendall has been talking with some of the coordinators.

“I am a new man – there is a new spirit in me” – Godson Madibi

Revd Godson Madibi reports that in the Diocese of Morogoro, Tanzania, a RinJ Junior Celebration was held in the cathedral on Easter Day, for children and their parents. To Godson’s amazement and delight, over 1200 children attended this event, which included singing, praying worshipping, reading the Bible together, drama and preaching (by the children). Parents were so enthusiastic that they have offered to sponsor future gatherings; Godson himself has experienced a renewal of spirit and a deepening of his calling to oversee the Junior programme across the diocese. Bishop Godfrey has asked Godson to start further groups across the diocese, and to made contact with all existing groups. Godson has begun to travel from parish to parish encouraging the Junior teachers and clergy; he asks for our prayers.

The Diocese of South Rwenzori, Uganda

RinJ was introduced to this diocese, at the invitation of Bishop Jackson Nzerebende, back in 2008. Last year we sent a team to train Sunday School teachers to use RinJ Junior. Revd William Musisi reports that Junior is now growing across the diocese, with 7 archdeaconry coordinators appointed and 98 groups established in the parishes. William’s own church in Bwera, on the Uganda/Congo border is growing, with 2 Junior groups meeting on Sundays; the children gave the readings and shared their testimonies at a recent Family Sunday service.

Exciting reports are coming in from the archdeaconries too. William told Jonathan of the recent one-week mission held in Kasese, with one day being dedicated entirely to work among children – over 1000 children attended a day rally and marched through the town, all the Junior groups being represented, and new groups are now planned.

William and his previous colleague Revd James Tumwesigye are leading a joint UK/Uganda RinJ team to the Diocese of Mityana later this year.

RinJ Junior children at the children’s gospel crusade, Kasese

Growing ministry in the Diocese of Eastern Zambia

Under the leadership of Bishop William Mchombo, this diocese has been using RinJ since 2008 and RinJ Junior since last year. The Junior programme is coordinated by Revd Abraham Phiri. Abraham reports that there are now 60 Junior groups meeting across the diocese, all of which are now on Book 3. Children are enjoying the groups so much that they have begun to invite their friends to church; many have real testimonies of how the Lord is working in their lives.

RinJ Junior spreads in South Africa

Nicole Corlew has sent a report on the recent combined RinJ and RinJ Junior training conference held in Polokwane, in the Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist. 20 adult and 19 Junior leaders were trained, including a woman who plans to use Junior for the children participating in her church’s feeding scheme, a youth leader from the cathedral who wants to provide something for the younger siblings of the teenagers who come, and a teenager named Frank who led the best practice session Nicole has ever seen! The conference was opened by Bishop Martin Breytenbach, and the teams led by Nicole Corlew (Junior) and Jack Kudumela (adult). We are dismayed to learn that Jack has since suffered a stroke, and we invite your prayers for him. To read Nicole’s report click here.

RinJ Junior leaders trained, Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist

Robert Sihubwa and the Diocese of Lusaka

Revd Robert Sihubwa is the vicar of St Peter’s, Lusaka, a church whose congregation has multiplied 4 times since he took up his post there a year ago, reaching its current size of 450 people – one of Robert’s recurrent tasks is that of buying new chairs! Robert is using RinJ Junior at St Peter’s as well as acting as coordinator for the diocese.

Alongside his local roles, Robert is the Africa Secretary for Teen Challenge, and will act as General Secretary to the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in April 2016, which is to be held in Lusaka. The ACC has been asked to prepare a paper on discipleship for the entire Anglican Communion (Alison Morgan is one of the contributors to this paper), with a view to the establishment of a Decade of Discipleship. Robert is keen to promote discipleship at both local and national level, and the Diocese of Lusaka has set discipleship as their key agenda for the next three years. A focus group is being formed, with the aim of planning for discipleship training for children aged 5-10 across the diocese; Robert anticipates that RinJ Junior will be the key driver for this programme.

Provincial Youth Training in Kenya

Captain Joshua Opondo is RinJ coordinator for the Diocese of Maseno South. Joshua is also an experienced RinJ team member who has provided both RinJ adult and Junior training in other dioceses; he is also the Provincial Youth Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Bishop Stanley Hotay, Director of RinJ Tanzania, was the main speaker at the recent Provincial Youth Conference, and Joshua is now working with the Provincial Youth Department to consider how best to promote discipleship among young people across the Province. At home, Joshua has introduced Junior to the Cathedral, where he is on the staff, has used the adult course for a highly successful confirmation class, and is working to support the groups across the diocese – where RinJ was introduced less than a year ago.

Looking ahead

‘The best decision anyone can ever make, at any point in life, in any circumstance, whoever they are, wherever they are, whatever they are, is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ’ – Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, in his Lambeth Lecture, March 2015.

At Rooted in Jesus we are committed to supporting the vision of the Anglican Communion to help people of every age and every nationality grow as disciples of Jesus.

Posted 15th July 2015 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

‘Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete’ – John 16.24.

Rooted in Jesus Report from Kolwezi, Diocese of Katanga, DR Congo

Certificates being awarded in Kolwezi

Rooted in Jesus was introduced to the Diocese of Katanga, which lies in the south eastern region of DR Congo, in 2014. The team was led by Matthew Grayshon, and included members from the UK, South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania. Revd Stéphane Makata was appointed diocesan coordinator by Bishop Kasima Corneille, and has sent us regular and inspiring reports of the difference Rooted in Jesus is making to people’s lives as they learn to pray, live and read the Bible differently. The following report (translated from French by Alison Morgan) contains testimonies given in public on the occasion of the presentation of certificates to those who had completed Book 1 of Rooted in Jesus. Many of them are based on group members’ experience of praying according to the memory verse John 16.24.

Stéphane writes:

Kolwezi lies 360 km south west of Katanga. Notwithstanding this, Bishop Kasima Munono Corneille was willing to travel from Lubumbashi to Kolwezi using his own financial resources, in order to be present at the ceremony at which the Rooted in Jesus certificates were awarded. Rooted in Jesus has been able to plant several new churches, and so Bishop Kasima also presented poles and tarpaulins which will enable group members to construct their own places of worship.

Bishop Kasima Corneille presents poles and tarpaulins for the construction of new churches

KOLWEZI DEANERY, Parish of St John

Catechist JOEL NGOY MAKOBO, group leader

“After my training in Lubumbashi on how to use the Rooted in Jesus Christ programme, I went to Kolwezi for my final academic placement. I travelled by bicycle, and I have now been ministering there since April 5^th 2014. When I arrived at Kolwezi I began to attend a church in my placement parish where there were 6 people. I decided to begin by teaching the Rooted in Jesus material every Sunday, and it captivated more and more people. After two months the number attending had grown to 45. God continued to help us by calling further people through healings and answered prayers. We have numerous testimonies, and today the church has at least 95 members and we have groups such as the choir, the prayer group, the Mother’s Union, the Boys Brigade and prayer cells each with their own leaders.”

Catechist Joel Ngoy Makobo

The following testimonies were given by those who have been taught through Rooted in Jesus:

ERICK

“I was lost and I had abandoned the church, but when I discovered the teaching of Rooted in Jesus I received the Lord Jesus for real. I used to dream about prostitutes, but through prayer and the teachings, I have to say that I am now completely free of this. I didn’t know how to share my faith or stand against witchcraft, but now I can do both these things. Certainly Jesus Christ has saved me.”

PETRO

“I was never interested either in the church or in prayer; but today through the teachings of Rooted in Jesus Christ I love to serve God in the church. I was a thief but now I have renounced that. Truly Jesus Christ has saved me.”

ASTRIDE

“I was a great sinner: rude, insulting, arrogant and slanderous. However, after receiving the teachings of Rooted in Jesus Christ, Christ has truly saved me, and I now share good news with others so they too may be saved as I have been.”

ISAAC

“I was a self employed miner, searching for minerals. I was far too fond of brawling and drunkenness, and each time I did this I would dream that I was fighting against supernatural aliens – they were like wild beasts. I even had a child with a prostitute. After receiving the teachings of Rooted in Jesus Christ, I now share the good news of Jesus Christ. I now know to pray for myself and for others. I love Jesus Christ.”

DIVINE

I was lost and I was following wrong paths – for example adultery, lying, pride, and evil spirits. These spirits were in me, but after receiving Jesus Christ through the teachings of Rooted in Jesus Christ, I am saved. I am now going to serve God.

FELLY

“I was a slanderer, adulterer and thief, and I had never loved the church. Today I have been saved through the teachings of Rooted in Jesus Christ, and I love Jesus Christ.”

DEANERY OF KIPUSHI, Parish of St Peter

These are the testimonies of those who have completed Book 1 of Rooted in Jesus.

Members of the RinJ group in Kipushi receive certificates

KULITA

“I thank God because he has shown his power in me since I had an accident and broke my pelvis. When I received the teaching from the Rooted in Jesus course, especially John 16.24, I prayed according to what it said. One night while I was asleep, I saw someone come in and cut my hip, and my leg fell out of my trousers, so I cried out to my wife that I have lost my leg, it has just been cut off! When I opened my eyes, I could feel no pain and all my limbs were there, healed – as they have remained to this day. So I can travel by motor bike either to church or to the hospital. My family are all saved, and we believe in Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Saviour forever.”

FRANCOIS

“I am a soldier, and although I would go to church I had no foundation of faith. But with all these teachings that I have just received, I my faith is now founded on Jesus Christ. Me and my family, no one can snatch us from his hands. He is our only Lord and Saviour. We will feed on his words in the same way that we feed on real food.”

MBUYI

“My daughter was going to give birth but it was difficult; the doctor told us she needed surgery which would cost US $500. I am a widow – where was I to find all this money? At one o’clock in the morning I remembered the teaching from Rooted in Jesus. I went alone to church and I prayed. Jesus Christ had encouraged me to pray according to John 16.24, “So far you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be complete.” I prayed like this: ‘Cast your eye uon your widow now, for you are the father of orphans; fulfill your word in me so that my joy may be complete according to your will.” At five in the morning my children, who had been looking for me all night, found me in church praying. It was the last place they come to after searching several other places thinking that I had committed suicide.”

ANTOINETTE

“We divorced as a result of the anger which dominated our home. Now we have been saved through the teachings of Rooted in Jesus Christ, and we will remain forever attached to Jesus Christ.”

Revd NGOSA

“I am a pastor and preacher of the gospel, but I have always been weak. However, I now feel as if I have been vaccinated, so that I can exercise the ministry to which the Lord has called me. Already many have been saved, and have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. They are now united with him and will remain so throughout their lives, thanks to the teachings of Rooted in Jesus Christ. They are no longer ignorant. They were ensnared in the teachings of the world, and they want to leave this and base their lives on the teaching of Rooted in Jesus Christ.”

REGINE PACIFIQUE KASIMA, the wife of the bishop and the group leader:

“As for me, how these lessons make me grow! No one will separate me from Rooted in Jesus during my life on this earth, because I do not think I can testify one minute and not the next. I have been awoken from the deep sleep and from the distractions in which I lived. May God bless the person to whom he revealed this programme!”

To find out more, to join the RinJ prayer network or to make a financial contribution to the fund which makes it possible, please visit www.rootedinjesus.co.uk.

Posted 28th June 2015 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

We are delighted to announce that Alison’s long-awaited book Following Jesus – The Plural of Disciple is Church arrived in our office this week! Mentioned by Archbishop Justin Welby in his recent address to General Synod, it carries a raft of commendations which you can browse here.

Defining discipleship as ‘a form of apprenticeship undertaken in community’, and drawing on her experience of working with people in the UK and across Africa, Alison offers a compelling mix of personal experience, real life stories and theological reflection. “If you are looking for something to excite people about Christian discipleship, “writes Bishop James Newcome in his Foreword, “this is it.”

• Alison Morgan is a star! A wise and prophetic book which challenges us to consider the question ‘How do I make my faith in Christ real today?’ The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu

• Alison beautifully balances the passionate individual following of Jesus in order to become more like him, with the well-argued emphasis and practical application that the plural of disciple is Church. It should become standard reading, thinking and living. George Lings, Church Army Research Unit

• Alison Morgan writes with a rare blend of wisdom and inspiration. This beautiful book is peppered with story, challenge and hope. I cannot recommend Alison’s work highly enough. Mark Russell, Chief Executive, Church Army

To find out more and read commendations click here.
Following Jesus can be previewed on Google Books.
To order please visit The Mathetes Trust website.
In Canada and the US Following Jesus is also available from the Tyndale Seminary bookstore here.

Posted 30th April 2015 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

Within Uganda, Rooted in Jesus has now been introduced to four Anglican dioceses and one Pentecostal network, and is commended by the Anglican Provincial Office as a recommended tool for discipleship. We are looking forward to working with five further dioceses in 2015 and 2016.

We have received some encouraging news from the Diocese of South Rwenzori, where RinJ has become an established part of the life of the diocese since its introduction in 2008. The initial 40 groups have grown to 100, on average two per parish, most of which have completed the first three books of the programme. In June 2014 we sent a team to help the diocese introduce Rooted in Jesus Junior to 248 Sunday School teachers. Speaking recently to coordinator William Musisi, Junior team leader Jonathan Rendall was delighted to hear that there are now some 90 Junior groups in just three of the diocese’s seven archdeaconries – each of which has its own coordinator – involving some 1400-1800 children.  William reports that ‘children can now recite the memory verses, and the parents appreciate the children’s participation in church activities and reaching out to other children.’ He hopes that the RinJ Junior programme will help them to connect with the many children who do not yet know about Jesus.

To read more about what’s been happening in South Rwenzori do visit the Uganda page of the Rooted in Jesus website. William Musisi and his former colleague James Tumwesigye will lead the Rooted in Jesus team to the Diocese of Mityana later this year.

RinJ Junior conference, South Rwenzori June 2014

In 2012 Revd John Lee led a team to the Diocese of Bunyoro Kitara, where RinJ was warmly received; Canon Eric Twine, the archdeacon of Kagadi, wrote “Rooted in Jesus is a true discipleship tool that every Church that serves the resurrected and living Jesus should embrace wholeheartedly. It has both Spiritual and Social components. What a blessing to have a such programme launched in my Archdeaconry!!” Canon Twine and his colleague Mission Coordinator Joyce Asaba have been working hard ever since that first training to support the Rooted in Jesus group leaders. Joyce has kept in regular touch, writing to tell us of people coming to faith through the groups, of the healing ministry established by group members in their churches, and of the ways in which people’s lives have been changed and their prayer lives revived (you can read her most recent report here).

In March 2015 Revd Andrew Pettit returned to Bunyoro Kitara to lead two follow-up conferences. The first, held one in Kagadi, was attended by 187 delegates, of whom 35 were returning and 152 new leaders. Andrew commented: ‘It was clear to us that over the last 2 years RinJ discipleship groups have been embraced with enthusiasm in the archdeaconry, leading to many other church leaders wanting to adopt the programme.’ The second conference, held in Bulindi, was attended by 65 delegates, a mix of existing and new leaders. Team member Hilary Buckingham was delighted to lead three of the new delegates to faith. As ever, team members received as much as they gave; Judith Hogg wrote afterwards “I found the visit to be amazing, particularly the answers to prayer. Everything listed on my prayer letter was wonderfully answered. I think it will impact my preaching here and make me try doing things in different ways.”

To read Andrew’s report click here.

Team member Hilary with translator Alice

We look forward to working in the Dioceses of West Buganda, Mityana, Karamoja and Lango, and to building increasing links between the dioceses using Rooted in Jesus within the Province.

A testimony of healing

Finally, we have had some great news from Peter Silverwood, a member of the South Rwenzori Junior team last June. In September Peter shared the following testimony with us: “For some 30 years I have suffered with a hiatus hernia which imposes severe limits on the food that I can eat. No fat, no sugar, no fruit, no fish – the list is a long one. I have taken daily medication for the condition for many years and take a double dose when I am away from home. On this trip, living out of a suitcase, I managed to lose a quantity of tablets and asked the team for prayer. We asked the Lord not only for help managing without medication but for complete healing. From that day onward I stopped taking medication and have now been without for over 8 weeks. I am substantially healed and am able to eat very many foods that previously I could not. My brothers and sisters at St Mary’s and I are continuing in prayer towards a complete healing and I give thanks and praise to God for his grace and power. I am now able to eat in restaurants and so can take my wife and family out socially much more easily, which is such a blessing. Praise the Lord!” In December Peter sent this update: “Eating at Christmas was a special joy this year! I had the same traditional dinner as everybody else and even enjoyed some special puddings like apple tortes and pavlovas etc. I am now sleeping horizontally, rather than propped up, which is making my back feel much better too and I very rarely take any medication at all. I continue to praise God for His power and thank Him for his grace.”

Peter Silverwood (R) and the South Rwenzori Junior team

Last night a small group of us were reading from Ephesians 1, thanking the Lord for the hope to which he has called us, for the riches of the glorious inheritance which he makes available to us, and for the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe in him. We look forward to playing our part in his purposes in 2015.

Posted 9th April 2015 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

Linnet Smith has just returned from her third visit to Tanzania, where she has been acting as Rooted in Jesus link officer, supporting Bishop Stanley Hotay, Bishop James Almasi and Canon Jacob Robert as they lead Rooted in Jesus in the Province of Tanzania.

Revd Dr Linnet Smith

Linnet writes: “As ever, I had some wonderful opportunities to see Rooted in Jesus in action in Tanzania and to contribute to its growth there. Bishop Stanley Hotay, the National Director of Rooted in Jesus (RinJ) Tanzania and Bishop of Mount Kilimanjaro Diocese, has decreed that RinJ Junior is to be used in all Sunday Schools in his Diocese and that all Confirmation candidates are to have completed RinJ Book 1. There are therefore many Sunday School teachers and leaders of confirmation groups who need to know how to use the material. I had the great privilege of helping with three seminars demonstrating how to use RinJ with between 20 and 30 people at each seminar.  (Last time I was in Tanzania, I did the same with Evangelists and I heard this time that one large church in Arusha has, as a result, begun to use RinJ Junior with 200 children in 20 groups.)  So please pray that every child and young person in Sunday School and preparing for confirmation will become ‘disciples who will make disciples’.

“During my visit we held the 2^nd Annual Diocesan Coordinators’ Conference. Thirteen of the Coordinators attended and reported back on RinJ in their Dioceses and then discussed the issues arising from their reports. In some Diocese RinJ has really taken off – the coordinator from Mpwapwa, Canon Dunstan Mtoro, reported that there are getting on for 1000 children in Junior groups and another 1000 adults in RinJ groups in his diocese!  During the conference we also spent time discussing the long term strategy for RinJ Tanzania to become financially self-sufficient.  This is not going to be easy but the coordinators and the leadership team are getting to grips with the issues, both nationally and locally. Please pray for them as they take on this challenge (and please continue to give to RinJ UK so that we can continue to support RinJ both in Tanzania and elsewhere).

Diocesan Coordinators’ Conference, Dodoma

“A great milestone in the process of RinJ Tanzania becoming self-sustaining was the appointment of our first Tanzanian Administrator. Her name is Cate (pronounced Katy); she is 24, a lovely committed Christian young woman with a degree in Accountancy.  She has taken on the role with great enthusiasm. Please pray for her, especially she oversees the finances for the Anglican Communion Mission Fund grant which has been given to RinJ Tanzania to help develop RinJ in Tanzania over the next two years.

Cate Mwega, the new RinJ Tanzania Adminisrator

“Towards the end of my time in Tanzania I spent most of a week in the three Dioceses which border Lake Victoria. Canon Jacob, Regional Coordinator, looked after me very well as ever and together we visited Mara, Rorya, and Victoria Nyanza. We held introductory conferences on Rorya and DVN last year. Things are not going brilliantly in Rorya but in DVN we have clearly planted a seed which is growing slowly but steadily and we plan to return there for a follow-up conference next August. Please pray for the Coordinators, Tom in Rorya and Leonard in DVN.   In Mara, RinJ is well established and I met people who told me how their lives had been changed by their group, how they were more confident in sharing their faith now, and how head-knowledge had now become heart-knowledge. And I witnessed a wonderful Junior group in action – children praying out loud, reciting their memory verses and answering questions with enthusiasm. Please pray for Jacob who is a candidate in the imminent election for the new Bishop of Mara.

“Every trip I’ve done to Tanzania has ended on a high. This time it was a wonderful service at St Paul’s Church in Arusha when we celebrated the fact that 20 children have completed RinJ Junior Book 1 and presented them with certificates. During the service a young Muslim girl who had come to faith in Christ through the Sunday School was baptized, and the pastor told me that her mother also wants to be baptized. The children (including two of +Stanley’s children) clearly really enjoy using the RinJ material.  Praise the Lord!!”

Rooted in Jesus Junior Training in Arusha, March 2015

Posted 20th March 2015 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

Rooted in Jesus was introduced to the Youth Leaders of Kigali Diocese in 2013, with a follow-up conference in July this year. Eric Habyarimana of the Department of Youth and Children has just sent us this report.

A Rooted in Jesus group in Musave

The Youth Department has selected five pilot parishes from among those where groups are running, so that they can provide constant support, training and advice from the centre; the remaining parishes will be supported by archdeaconry and parish youth leaders. Visiting the groups in these pilot parishes was encouraging.

‘In Musave, a new church in Ndera parish, there are two groups. One of the youth leaders, Niyigena, who attended the conference worked hard to start Rooted in Jesus groups, and the pastor reports that not only have group members increased but also church members at this new local church increased. The two groups now have 42 members. Peninah from Ndera Parish said that she also started a new group with 14 members. They meet and study the word of God. She also said that they encouraged other groups like choirs, cells, saving groups who are now using these teachings and they expect the groups and group members to increase. She testified that Rooted in Jesus teachings helped them to stand firm and teach without fear, to know the word of God, they learnt through sharing ideas, hence there has been spiritual growth.’

In Gahanga parish there are three groups with a total of 43 members. ‘They testified that Rooted in Jesus helped them know many verses, found out that the word of God is sweet and also helped their groups to increase. They are expecting  to increase the groups including children graduating from Sunday school.’

Group members receive Bibles in Gahanga

In Ntarama parish there are two groups with 30 members. ‘One is a football team where youth meet for the word of God before they play football. They told us that Rooted in Jesus groups helped them know the word of God. We discussed with them how these groups should be strengthened and other new groups start too.’

Eric is realistic about the challenges; he concludes that ‘Visiting all Rooted in Jesus groups is not an easy work to be done by youth department due to time constraints and also geographical set ups of parishes where youth meet late in evenings. We asked archdeaconry youth committees, more especially those in charge of spiritual growth and development, to visit them advise them how to manage time, share life experience and help each other. We prayed for them and asked them to constantly give reports to youth department and seek for advice where they feel they need it. With the help of these committees we expect to move forward and strengthen Rooted in Jesus groups.’

Due to the impact of the programme on the youth groups, there are plans to extend it more widely in 2015, when a team will return to Kigali to train cell leaders and Mothers Union leaders from across the whole diocese.

To read Eric’s full report click here.

Posted 19th November 2014 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

In October 2014 a team led by Revd John Guest travelled to Kisumu at the invitation of Bishop Francis Abiero and Captain Joshua Opondo to introduce Rooted in Jesus to the Diocese of Maseno South.

Team leader John Guest relaxes with new friends

John Guest reports that “The Lord was greatly glorified during our conference and there were many miracles of grace, healing and renewal. Worship was ably led by a small team of young people and Joshua gave a strong lead to his colleagues. There is enormous potential for growth and development if those who attended get the right encouragement.” Joshua Opondo, a diocesan mission coordinator who has himself been on a number of RinJ teams, wrote that “Your sense of humour was just of great healing to us, God just did His best to choose the best for us and everyone still talks about all of you. After the Conference, word has spread all over of this course and people are just waiting to see its impact. It’s my prayer that the seed will bear abundant fruit.” Groups have already started: “At the Cathedral groups have been formed already especially the youths.I had a meeting with them yesterday and are working on the best day for all the groups and even thinking of two starting with the confirmation class that is starting next Saturday.” You can read the full report here.

For team member Revd Tudor Roberts this was his first trip to Africa. Afterwards he reflected:

High Points

• I loved giving talks and then seeing the Healing prayer ministry flow out of that, and it was great to see lives transformed and words of Knowledge that seemed to go straight home to the people I prayed for.
• I loved actually using the R in J books Part 1 with a group and seeing the Kenyans grapple with the issues
• I loved going out on Lake Victoria.
• I loved being with children and with the Curates and youth Leaders who have so much energy.
• I loved being amongst poor people and seeing them respond to the love of God.
• I loved taking a motorbike taxi and feeling I didn’t have a care in the world.
• I loved singing and dancing with the Kenyans.
• I loved praying as a team and wished we could have done more of this.
• I really liked our Kenyan Hosts Joshua and Asher.
• I got on with the team members and John was a real leader.

Learning points to bring home

• More confidence in preaching
• More readiness to say ‘Come Holy Spirit’ and watch what happens
• Be less materialistic
• Renewed will to care pastorally with more planning and compassion
• My gift is in teaching and I returned to teach the Diocesan course Exploring Christianity for the next 2 years.

Other news from around Africa

News continues to come in from Zambia, where Dignity Worldwide has now planted 179 Life! groups, numbering some 3500 people; these groups use Rooted in Jesus alongside Dignity’s Love your Village material. The report says “We are seeing people and communities achieve more than they ever thought possible. We are seeing grass-roots development projects springing up, inspired by and responding to the needs within communities.” To read the full report click here.

In the Diocese of Katanga, DR Congo, Diocesan Coordinator Stephane Makata has sent photographs of the first group members receiving certificates on completion of Book 1 as they are ordained deacon. Each will now start his own group in the village where is to minister. Stephane continues to visit the groups in the various deaneries of Lumbumbashi – he has sent reports on 29 groups so far.

Deacons receive their Rooted in Jesus certificates

We continue to pray for all those using Rooted in Jesus, particularly the Diocesan Coordinators for whom the task of properly supporting the group leaders, often scattered over very wide distances, is a great challenge. We are grateful to all who have supported Rooted in Jesus in prayer or finance, or by travelling on teams, over the last few months. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved with Rooted in Jesus please visit our website.

Posted 28th October 2014 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

We have a number of things to rejoice over at the moment, as we continue to watch the Lord at work in people’s lives.

A consecration

Consecration of Bishop James Almasi

We were delighted to learn earlier this year that Canon James Almasi was elected to succeed Patrick Mwachiko as the Bishop of the Diocese of Masasi in Tanzania. James is one of two Regional Coordinators for RinJ in Tanzania, working with Bishop Stanley Hotay and fellow coordinator Canon Jacob Robert to support dioceses using RinJ and lead teams to those wishing to introduce it. James has been closely involved with the development of Rooted in Jesus Junior in particular, helping to pilot it in Masasi. I wasn’t able to attend his consecration, but Rooted in Jesus was formally represented by Jonathan Rendall, and Revd Dr Linnet Smith was also able to be present. We are delighted that James will continue in his role with Rooted in Jesus alongside his diocesan responsibilities. Jonathan stayed on to offer some RinJ Junior training to Sunday School teachers in Masasi and Mpindimbi, with about 50 people attending from a number of different parishes.

Encouraging news continues to arrive from other dioceses. Diocesan Coordinator Emmanuel Rubuye writes from the Diocese of Tabora that the groups in the parish of Isevya have now completed book 1. He reports that Group leaders are growing in knowledge of the word of God, and group members are becoming more open and confident, and now regularly share what they have received from the group in meetings.

Training has been ongoing in the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro, through a series of deanery training days run by Charles Unjiro and Linnet Smith. Linnet reports: “Two groups of evangelists met and learned how to use Rooted in Jesus with great enthusiasm; the Diocesan Coordinator Charles Unjiro led the days extremely well and the clergy concerned committed themselves to following up the seminars and helping the evangelists to develop new Rooted in Jesus groups. I [also] had the joy of presenting certificates to 25 children who have competed RinJ Junior Book 1. And during the service a teenager who attends the nearby Diocesan School was baptized. She came to know the Lord at school; her Muslim father made no objection to her baptism and even attended the service – praise the Lord!!”

News from DR Congo and Uganda

Coordinator James Mayundo writes from the Diocese of Katanga, DRC, where he oversees groups in the missionary area of Kalemie: “The groups are gathered and members come together for studying, teaching, and meditating on the Holy scriptures.We are attaining to bear fruit in the future to build up the Church. Because the conference that was led by the Team from UK in Kalemie gathered different Denominations, in fact, we are receiving enough testimonies:
1. People in their Church get to be built up in faith.
2.The number of people who attend those Denominations is increasing.
3.The groups are led to fruit new members and love of the church members is becoming greater.
The problems that we bring to you so that you can pray for and succour us is about the peace in Congo and the fear that we feel always; the rebellion that acts in different area of Congo. The polygamy sometime becomes a problem for believers to be giving them selves to GOD. Poverty leads people not to live in peace and always have a forlorn look and dim face.”

A group in Kalemie, Diocese of Katanga

Coordinator Joyce Asaba writes from the Diocese of Bunyoro Kitara, Uganda: “I am glad to give you a report from the Parishes of Kyabigambire, Buraru and Nyamirima. In Kyabigambire Parish there are 3 groups with 42 members, in Buraru Parish they have 6 groups with 70 members and in Nyamirima Parish, they have 2 groups with 24 members. All the groups have received Book 2 and have started it except Nyamirima which is still finishing Book 1. Members have testified about learning scriptures and learning how to pray, and some people’s prayer lives have been revived and lives changed, plus miracles happening when they pray. Leaders have identified new leaders from among those who finished book one and are also helping to lead.”

Personal testimonies

It is always wonderful to hear of the way in which people’s lives are touched, sometimes when they least expect it.

• UK team member Peter Silverwood has sent us this testimony : “For some 30 years I have suffered with a hiatus hernia which imposes severe limits on the food that I can eat. No fat, no sugar, no fruit, no fish – the list is a long one. I have taken daily medication for the condition for many years and take a double dose when I am away from home. On this trip, living out of a suitcase, I managed to lose a quantity of tablets and asked the team for prayer. We asked the Lord not only for help managing without medication but for complete healing. From that day onward I stopped taking medication and have now been without for over 8 weeks. I would say that I am substantially healed and am able to eat very many foods that previously I could not. I still get the occasional bad day, probably because I have been too adventurous, but I would estimate a 90% recovery. My brothers and sisters at St Mary’s and I are continuing in prayer towards a complete healing and I give thanks and praise to God for his grace and power. I am now able to eat in restaurants and so can take my wife and family out socially much more easily, which is such a blessing. Praise the Lord!”
  

  Peter Silverwood (R) and the S Rwenzori team

• In the Diocese of Kigali, Rwanda, testimonies from the recent RinJ conference include these: “One young man was attacked by robbers 3 months ago, he had been left with lasting pain in the left side of his head and unable to shake his head. Doctors told him it was irreparable. Last night in the ministry time he was healed, he is pain free and can now shake his head. He is a returning leader, he is running a Rooted in Jesus group. He also testified that since using RinJ he was inspired to pray with his brothers for his parents; his parents were in conflict, his father drank and intended to move in with a mistress.They had the parents pray together, they are now reconciled and the father has stopped drinking; he has put the land deeds intended for his mistress into the name of his wife’s children”.

• “One man testified today that he is the youngest son of a witch doctor and so destined to inherit his powers. The young man did not want this, he felt burdened by his parents’ unrighteousness. He testified today that Jesus has taken away that curse. He has received the Holy Spirit. We also had testimony of all the men in one dormitory praying together until 1am to find a lost phone; they donated their money to buy a new one, the phone was then found and the money is an additional blessing. We have seen God pouring out gentle love, releasing tears, reversing lies, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation and increasing hope for the future.”

We thank God for allowing us, from our various countries, to be part of his plans and purposes in our world.

Posted 30th September2014 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

Rooted in Jesus was introduced to the Diocese of Kigali in Rwanda in 2013, and a team led by Ven Kevin Roberts returned to Kigali in July at the invitation of Bishop Louis Muvunyi to lead a further conference with the dual aim of supporting existing leaders and extending the programme by training new leaders.

Young leaders in Kigali

Kevin writes: “It was encouraging to meet with leaders of Rooted in Jesus groups set up after last year’s Conference, to hear news and testimony and to get some helpful feedback on what has gone well and what the difficulties have been. The participants engaged enthusiastically with the Conference programme and were receptive to the teaching and in the ministry times. To say that the worship was ‘lively’ would be an understatement! I have rarely seen such energy and passion in the worship of God. It would be easy to interpret this in purely cultural or generational terms, but we sensed that within it something deep and real was happening that spoke of a profound openness to God and to the work of His Spirit.

We were privileged to once again minister into pain associated with childhood experiences in the 1994 genocide, and to hear testimony to changed lives and physical and emotional healing. We came away with a sense of hope for the church’s future in Rwanda and of the importance of investing in the lives of the young, both for their present influence in the church and their potential as its future leaders. The messianic phrase in Isaiah 11 that “a little child shall lead them” took on a fresh meaning for me as I reflected on the role of the young in the Rwandan church.”

The team then moved on, at the invitation of the recently appointed Bishop Paisible Ndacayisba, to the Diocese of Muyinga in Burundi, where the conference was attended by 78 people, a mixture of pastors, evangelists, MU Leaders and Youth Leaders from the 13 parishes in the diocese.

Participants at the conference in Muyinga

Kevin reflects: “The conference went very well, with a serious engagement with the programme and, through the four days of the conference, an increasing openness to the active work of the Spirit amongst us. Our teaching on the healing ministry appeared to be new to many of the participants, and was given added credibility by the testimonies to healing received over the four days of the conference. We were aware of God touching many lives and freeing people up in the worship, so were not surprised when the bishop commented to us after the commissioning service that “these are changed people”. This reinforces my sense that the times of worship and ministry (and modelling a sensitivity to the Spirit’s promptings) are as significant on the conferences in enthusing participants about holistic discipleship as the more inductive elements of the programme. “you have been yourselves and come as people rooted in Jesus” was a bit of feedback we received that I shall treasure.”

Kevin was working with Steve Muneza, Dr Sarah Richardson, Revd Clive Devonish and Deb Price, and with local coordinators Manasseh Tuyizere and Elisha Academy. It was Clive’s first RinJ trip, and he wrote afterwards: “The conference was exceptional and I believe the candidates received through the teaching and workshops an impartation of love, encouragement and spiritual gifting. I found the visit both challenging and rewarding.  The conference exceeded my expectations as I saw people’s lives changed as they met with Holy Spirit. The delegates saw and experienced the physical, spiritual and mental healing of many people. My experience in Africa will have a positive long lasting impact on my ministry in the UK. The emotional experience that I encountered was enormous – especially in Rwanda – it certainly has impacted my life. I thank God for His Holy presence throughout the conference.”

To read Kevin’s full report click here.

Four diocesan conferences have been held in Tanzania in the last few months : follow-up conferences in the dioceses of Southern Highlands and Kibondo, and introductory conferences in the dioceses of Lake Rukwa and Rorya. The teams were led by regional coordinators Canon Jacob Robert and Canon James Almasi, with Revd Charles Unjiro and Revd Dr LInnet Smith.

Dioceses of Tanzania – those using RinJ coloured green

In Lake Rukwa, a new and as yet under-resourced diocese, James Almasi reports that participants had travelled for up to two days to reach the conference. Bishop Matthew Kasagara ‘is there to serve and not to be served’ – and affirmed his commitment to Rooted in Jesus by suggesting that any pastor not wishing to start a group should return his ordination certificate! To read James’s full report click here.

In Rorya, a small diocese recently carved out of the Diocese of Mara and located in the far north of the country, 38 people were trained to lead groups. Bishop John Adiema was present throughout the conference, and appointed an experienced pastor, Tom Lando, as coordinator; good plans have been made for the support and accountability of the new group leaders. To read Jacob’s report click here.

In Southern Highlands progress had been poor since the initial conference a year ago, seemingly due to the inactivity of the coordinator. But in Kibondo feedback was good; participants reported that group members are now able to preach, to pray for the sick, and to read the Bible by themselves. Bishop Sospeter Ndenza also wrote that “We have new believers through Rooted in Jesus. We really thank God for the new lives and all who are doing the good work for him.”

Participants in Kibondo with their books

Meanwhile Linnet Smith, on secondment from the UK to Arusha, has been able to visit the Diocese of Kiteto, where coordinator Joseph Mangugi says there are many groups across the diocese. He is preparing to give book certificates to those who have recently completed books. Linnet writes:

“Thank you for your prayers once again. The Bishop of Trichy (a companion diocese) and his wife have been visiting DMK and the Diocese of Kiteto, 300 km south of here. So when they travelled to Kiteto, I got a ride in order to see that Diocese and meet with the RinJ coordinator there. 200 km of the road was unpaved and bumpy and the Diocese of Kiteto is in a very poor, very dry area. But God is at work there and it was good to meet with the Diocesan Coordinator and hear that RinJ groups are working well. I met a young teacher who has been using RinJ with his pupils at the local secondary school for their Bible Knowledge studies. 52 of them have completed Book so I am sending him some Book 2s and also some Junior books for him to use in the local primary school. When I asked if the young people enjoyed the material and had their lives changed by it, he looked at me as though it was a really silly question! ‘Of course’ was his answer!!”

Hot off the Press: we were delighted with the news that Canon James Almasi has been elected to succeed Bishop Patrick Mwachiko as the bishop of the Diocese of Masasi. James’s consecration is planned for September.

Alison Morgan

The second international Anglicans Ablaze Conference was held in Johannesburg from July 2nd-4th 2014. Some 2000 people from 43 dioceses and 18 countries gathered, with their bishops, to focus together on the theme of ‘Hope is Rising’.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba opens the conference

The conference was organised by Growing the Church, (GtC) the growth institute for the Province of Southern Africa which also oversees Rooted in Jesus, and opened by Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of South Africa. The keynote address on the first full day was given by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, who spoke of his three ministry priorities of prayer, reconciliation and witness and then led a special session for the youth. His visit had a huge impact – “The Bishop of Canterbury washed our feet! He washed our feet! His humility has really shown us who Christ is!”- one young woman said, summing up the general feeling.

++Justin was followed by Oscar Muriu who spoke on ‘Growing Leaders’, and then by Alison Morgan who spoke on ‘Living as Disciples of Jesus – the Tools of Transformation.’ We also ran a Rooted in Jesus workshop, attended by some 350 people, that same afternoon, presented by Alison Morgan, Estelle Adams (the Provincial Coordinator for RinJ and a member of the GtC team), Bishop Martin Breytenbach of the Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist, the first diocese in South Africa to adopt RinJ, and Nicole Corlew, Coordinator for RinJ Junior and also a member of the GtC team. Other speakers from the UK were Bishop Graham Cray (Fresh Expressions) and Lucy Moore (Messy Church).

It was very encouraging to meet with many people who had been using Rooted in Jesus, and with others interested in introducing it, not just within Southern Africa but also from outside the Province, in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The worship, led by +Martin Breytenbach and the ‘Blazing Band’ was uplifting and beautiful. Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya of Swaziland (Africa’s only woman bishop) delivered an inspiring prophetic charge to close the conference. Plenary feedback was vibrant and encouraging; one young man, Joel, from Uganda, testified:

• “Are you serious, the archbishop with the youth? And a bishop here playing the music; the humility here has really challenged me. Alison preached about God’s word and it really touched my heart a lot because God was speaking to me and saying my word is power, and whenever I speak a word it turns into an action. And I think, I have spoken so many words in my life that have gone out without power. And God was saying to me, every word that comes out of your mouth should go out with power – and that really challenged me… I am leaving this conference tomorrow with a totally new thinking, a totally new attitude. I am completely changed.”

If you would like to listen to Alison’s talk on the Tools of Discipleship, or to any of the speakers at the Rooted in Jesus workshop, you can do so by visiting the RinJ website videos page or by logging straight into youtube here.

The Rooted in Jesus workshop at Anglicans Ablaze

News from other parts of Africa where RinJ is in use is also encouraging:

• Coordinator Stephane Mkata has visited 22 groups in just 4 parishes in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, all established following the first RinJ conferences in the Diocese of Katanga last February. He reports that “Groups include non church members (one is composed entirely of non church members), and some are held on church premises, some in the city. The group leaders and pastors pray for the group members, and members are enjoying reading the Bible and praying together. One woman testifies that since she has been in the group her life has changed, and her prayers are now being answered.”  A Lubumbashi University student leading a group  in his parish writes “With RinJ, the parish of Kolwezi has just experienced exponential growth – within just one month a parish with 20 church members increased to 50, all of them committed”

A RinJ group meets in Lubumbashi

For more recent feedback visit the news page on the Rooted in Jesus website.

“Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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.”

Posted 15th July 2015 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

We have had a busy few months, with Rooted in Jesus Junior conferences being held in April in the  Diocese of Eastern Zambia and May in the Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist in South Africa (click to read the reports) – both of which have been using Rooted in Jesus for some time, but now wish to extend the programme to their Sunday Schools.

a RinJ Junior workshop in Eastern Zambia

RinJ Junior is proving very effective; the parish of Mkuti in Tanzania which has been using it for a couple of years wrote recently to report on their 100-150 strong Sunday School group:

“We are proud for the following achievement:

• Children are able to pray
• Children are familiar with important biblical verses
• Children pay visits to disabled and orphans as a sign of love
• A sense of love and belonging has grown up among children
• Children take part in church services, they sing and dramatize
• They managed to become number one in offering and got prize twice
• They visited Lindi parish where they exchanged and shared experiences with their fellows”

Working with new networks in Kenya

Also in May, a team led by Brian Keel introduced RinJ to two Pentecostal network of churches in Kenya, Glad Tidings and Vine International. Groups have already started, and early feedback is promising. Pastor Daniel Makecho, who is overseeing a number of the new groups, reports:

• “We are doing fine here,  yes I was in my group and we have started on a wonderful note. This program is so wonderful, very inviting as you go through and very encouraging. In one of the groups in Lwandanyi church, people are so excited that time has now become an issue, very contributing and setting so many examples [from] their own lives…  People are being healed from situations that seemed so private to them and they always thought there was no clear answer to them. We prayed with one lady who has been suffering from rejection to a point where she thought God also had rejected her. She only came to church because neighbours are coming. She discovered that day that God loves her the way she is and has forgiven her all her mistakes and even died for her. She also discovered that actually her family also love her through the examples people were giving to show that people in their family love them. We received some insights from people I have never heard speak before. One person gave her life to Christ.”

New group leaders from Vine International, Bungoma, Kenya

Groups are also growing in Tanzania, not least in the Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro where Charles Unjiro reports that 12 new groups have been started in Moshi by those who have completed the first book of RinJ together. RinJ is being used for confirmation classes throughout the diocese, where 60 new churches were planted in 2013. Charles comments: “I thank God for this course of Rooted in Jesus because it brings real change to my own life; the roots have added to me day by day, when I read and teach lessons from the book, and I have many things to share with others. One of my group members said, ‘even if we are many, this book is like speaking to us individually’; another said, ‘this book is a revelation from God’ – and I agree with her.”

News from Zambia is good too; Jon Witt of Dignity Worldwide has contributed an article entitled ‘Lives transformed in Africa’ for ReSource magazine on the Life Groups he oversees in Zambia which use RinJ – you can read it here. There are currently some 139 groups meeting in various parts of Zambia, with a new local leadership team taking increasing responsibility for them. Jon reports:

“The overall trends are that groups are progressing through the books (Rooted in Jesus & Love Your Village) at a slow, steady pace and that many people are being encouraged and becoming Christians. Many groups have continued to be useful in their community. Some are making small changes in their communities that no doubt make large changes to individuals, whilst other groups are making changes that affect the community as a whole. All show a change in togetherness and focus within communities.

• In Chipapa (North-East Zambia) the Life! Group has mended the roof of a lonely elderly lady. We have heard similar stories many times and we hope to hear many more.

• The Life! Group in Musonda are currently collecting ground nuts with a view to growing a crop next year. We have seen other groups run similar schemes and, in due course, either donate the food to those in need or sell the food to raise funds for school books and uniforms.

• In Kamalamba, 3 Life! Groups have been meeting for some time now and going from strength to strength. Here Kasongo and Rebeck, local group leaders, have been encouraging the 4 groups towork together and to make a change in their wider community which meant they were ready to face a big challenge that came to them this rainy season. Two of the villages are divided by a stream with a small bridge connecting them. The bridge also helps the further away village gain access to the shorter route to the main road. The extremely heavy rains this season washed this bridge away, cutting a vital route for both villages. The Life! Groups in the area came together and managed to unite their communities. As a result, they were able to reconstruct the broken bridge and open up the route for the good of many people. We hope to continue hearing many more testimonies that are an outward sign of an inward change.”

To find out more visit dignityonline.org.uk.

As you know, we support Anglican dioceses in many of the poorest and most troubled parts of Africa. Last year we visited the Diocese of Toliara in Madagascar just after a devastating cyclone. News from the diocese is good, morale has grown, and Bishop Todd reports that Rooted in Jesus is now running in every parish in the diocese. A team returned from the Diocese of Katanga in DR Congo in March, and coordinator Stéphane Makata reports that groups have started, and that he has planned a programme of parish visits to support and encourage the new leaders. We are hoping that we will be able to return soon to the Diocese of Nord Kivu, and a team is also planned for the Diocese of Boga later in the year, both also in the DR Congo.

The place which is struggling the most at the moment, though, is South Sudan. We have worked in four dioceses in Sudan and South Sudan, and have invitations to two more. I want to share with you some reflections from two of the bishops, Bishop Andudu Elnail of Kadugli and Bishop Moses Deng Bol of Wau. You will find a full report on our website, but here are some things to think and pray about:

Reflecting on the week leading up to the death of Jesus, Bishop Andudu writes:

“I know that we in the Nuba Mountains and other places in Sudan and South Sudan, are in that bad week similar to the one that the disciples and followers of Jesus had, of frustration, fear and hopelessness.  In our region a meal for a child or elderly person is a challenge, we live in fear, we don’t know what we are going to eat or give our children in the following day. We don’t know that we are going to be alive in the next day, who is going to die next and how? by a bullet or Air bombardment, or Malaria. Who is going to save me on the next day, where will I sleep tonight after my house is burned or destroyed? How will I  protect myself from scorpions, snakes or mosquitoes in the dark of the Cave in the mountains where most of Nuba currently live? Those are the frustrations and hopelessness of the bad week, this bad situation is real but Jesus also is real. Brothers and sisters in the Nuba Mountains and elsewhere, may the good news of resurrection bring you hope, encouragement and healing. May the resurrected Lord be real to you, may He be present to each and every one of you.”

Rooted in Jesus conference, Diocese of Wau

Bishop Moses Deng Bol offers a challenge to us here in our affluent society:

“South Sudanese people are good at celebratin; given half a chance people will sing and dance and it does not take long for more people to join in. I take a lot of joy in this, I think it is  beautiful and precious. At times of national celebration you can really feel a sense of joy, it is  for me this sense of joy that reminds me what life is really about. It is true, we cannot be  happy all day every day but if you lose this sense of joy then really something is missing  from your life and you are not whole. When I have been to other places which are more developed countries you often hear people say that they are too busy. They think only of work that must be done and ignore  things that should bring them joy. As an African I must ask how can you be too busy to be  happy? It makes no sense. Jesus was a person who always took joy in others and spent much time healing people so that they could once again be happy also.

In Mathew 8 we can see a  prediction from Isaiah that says “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” This was a very personal thing that Jesus did. He was not doing what was normal, or just acceptable according to the law of Moses, but he was doing what was right and what  needed to be done. (…) When we look around our new country of South Sudan it is obvious that there is a thing  which needs to be done. Since just before Christmas we have been a fearful and divided nation. We did not celebrate Christmas as we should. There has been a lot of bloodshed and  violence, much destruction and pain. As a country we are not well, we are not happy and we  are not whole. It is obvious that we need healing. People all over the world know this.  Just like the poor suffering people in the Gospel stories it seems that a miracle will be  needed to heal us. But I am a man of faith and I believe in miracles and I believe that God  can bring South Sudan the healing which really it needs.”

To download the full report please click here; to read our other recent news click here. If you would like to support our work in South Sudan and the DR Congo you can do so by clicking here. If you would like to join our prayer network please contact Frances Hazell at office@rootedinjesus.net.

Posted 13th May 2014 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

The God Who is There starts in South Africa

The God Who is There is a discipleship programme published by ReSource and adapted from Rooted in Jesus for use in more urban and western contexts, and we have now licensed Growing the Church to print it in South Africa. The first training took place earlier this year in Saldanha Bay, led by Revd Trevor Pearce, and initial responses were very positive. Nigel and Gwen Burns wrote: “This course is for those who are seeking, for new Christians and mature seasoned Christians. It slowly adds layers with simple questions that build up deeper and deeper with meaning. It is a course where everyone is of equal importance and where everyone’s opinion counts. The course is stimulating and uplifting and openly encourages the people attending to let the Holy Spirit mentor and guide them. That is why there is no need for a leader, only a facilitator and guide. Bonds and a feeling of love and open sharing are fruits that grow very quickly. All you need is a willing heart and a willing spirit to leave your preconceptions at the door – for truly God is in control.” To read the GtC report click here. To find out more about The God Who is There visit the Mathetes Trust website.

Alison Morgan is looking forward to speaking on discipleship and the Word of God at the Anglicans Ablaze Conference in Johannesburg from 2nd to 5th July, and will be spending a day at St Luke’s church, Orchards on Saturday 28th June to offer training on The God who is There.

Posted 12th May 2014 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

A team led by Matthew Grayshon has just returned from the Diocese of Katanga, in the SE part of the DR Congo – a diocese the size of England, mostly remote and rural, and not far from areas of great instability and suffering. The team, whose members came from the UK, Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia, offered two conferences, one in Lubumbashi and one in the new missionary area of Kalemie. Commitment was high: in Lubumbashi the team walked into the prayer room to be greeted by four women whose undertaking was to pray for the conference: “We will be here all night.” And in Kalemie one priest arrived by bicycle, having taken 6 days to cover the 512 km from his home.

The first conference was hosted by Bishop Kasima Corneille, and the second by assistant Bishop Elisha Tendwa. 176 people were trained to lead RinJ groups, and the programme was launched with immediate effect. In Lubumbashi the time was well organised and the participants responsive; Stephane Makata was appointed coordinator – to read his report on the conference click here. In Kalemie, a remote area close to the Tanzanian border, the gathering was the first event held by Bishop Elisha in his future diocese, and an important time for him and his clergy and lay leaders as they set out markers for their future ministry together. The team were uplifted and inspired by the depth of the worship and the warmth of the welcome – due in part because they were the first foreign visitors since the wars. In both places the times of prayer and ministry were significant, with many touched in various ways. James Mayundo-Mulongo was appointed as the local coordinator.

Bishop Elisha wrote afterwards: “We would like to present our thanks to the management of Rooted in Jesus who released and sent you to come in Congo, and you were faithful and accepted; your faith and thirst to serve others brought you without fear. Prophet Ezekiel saw the valley of dry bones, so we were a valley of dry bones but now through RinJ team God breathed new life into a valley of dry bones, created waves of revival, waves of growth and spiritual life to His people in Congo.”

As for the team, they returned full of thanks and praise: “I felt we hardly needed an aeroplane, we should have been able to fly with our own wings we were so wonderfully supported in prayer”, Jean Hicks wrote. “I guess all in all I feel I’ve really grown spiritually through this and had a wonderful adventure along the way,” Dr Jenny Tait said. The final word goes to team leader Matthew Grayshon: “I am so grateful to the Lord for the privilege of bringing Rooted in Jesus to two church communities, not least the riches they have given me of resilient faith shining through after years of terrible events.”

To read Matthew’s full report click here.

Posted 29th March 2014 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan

The Diocese of Tabora

“I want to bring you a great news from Tabora Diocese,” Rooted in Jesus coordinator Emmanuel Ruboye wrote to us in March. “When a first born is born it is a great pleasure – sometimes you won’t believe is that true the first has come? As we the diocesan leaders saw such great class get finished their first book, it was an unbelievable moment.” RinJ was introduced to the Diocese of Tabora last June (click here to find out more). Over the last few months, groups in Isevya, Kaliua and Goweko parishes have completed Book 1 and been presented with their certificates in Sunday services. Local coordinators have now been appointed, and the groups will move on to Book 2. The diocese was hoping to hold a follow-up conference this year, but resources are scarce so this has now been postponed to 2015. For Emmanuel’s full report click here.

The Diocese of Masasi

Meanwhile Revd Dr Linnet Smith, working as RinJ Link Officer in Arusha, visited the Diocese of Masasi, where RinJ and RinJ Junior have been in use since 2009 and 2010 respectively. Hosted by Canon James Almasi, Linnet visited a number of churches to see how things were going; she found joyful children’s groups and a new church plant which has come directly from Rooted in Jesus. She writes:

• Mkuti: a wonderful presentation by the children which uses Rooted in Jesus material. It included prayers led by the children (‘They learn to pray in their RinJ group’ said James!) a drama of the offering of Isaac, making a cross from a sheet of paper (as in Rooted in Jesus), the reciting of numerous memory verses and much singing.

• We visited Wapiwapi Church. The choir sang, an English hymn tune, unaccompanied, in the most beautiful four part harmony I have ever heard. Another wonderful presentation, more children leading us in prayer, another very moving drama by the children – the illustration from RinJ of crossing the river full of crocodiles and needing something to carry you over – I nearly wept with joy when the boy who was trying to cross found the boy taking the part of Jesus, knelt at his feet and then was carried safely over the river. What a powerful illustration! Singing and refreshments followed and another opportunity to speak some words of encouragement.

• Two Eucharists on Tuesday, both in village churches. The first, Nangose Church, is a direct result of Rooted in Jesus. An adult group was meeting there and they planted the Church in that community. What an encouragement. I preached there and, in the afternoon, at Lisekese, with James as my interpreter. There was a great sense of devotion and deep spirituality in both Eucharists.

• We were late arriving in Lindi but a Rooted in Jesus group had gathered in the church to greet us. Lindi is 95% Muslim so the Christians are a rather vulnerable minority. I asked them to share how RinJ had helped them – amazing answers were given: the Pastor said he need no longer worry about sending them to Bible School – Bible School had come to them in their group; one lady said that she was now reading her Bible every day and it was really helping her; another said that the memory verse and the studies were changing her so that even her neighbours had noticed she was different; another said that it was much easier to invite friends to a RinJ group than to church.

Linnet concludes: “How good to meet so many wonderful Christians and to see God at work!” To read her full report click here.

The Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro – Rooted in Jesus Junior

Finally, Linnet spent a day at Holy Trinity, Moshi, where she met about 60 children who have completed RinJ Book 1 and presented them with their certificates during the service. Coordinator Charles Unjiro reports that there are over 100 more children who who have also finished Book 1.  Linnet writes: “I was able to give a short word of encouragement to them and to the whole congregation, and was so thrilled to see them stand up and recite the memory verses, complete with the most expressive actions – one verse refers to Jesus’ sheep going in and out and finding pasture – I wish you could have seen the action representing hungrily eating the food – I nearly cried for joy!!” To read more about Linnet’s visit to Moshi click here.

Posted 29th March 2014 by Revd Dr Alison Morgan