Ten Years Later! Rooted in Jesus in the Diocese of Nzara, South Sudan

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.

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust. To find out more about the programme visit the Rooted in Jesus website.

Rooted in Jesus returns to DR Congo

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.

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. To find out more visit the Rooted in Jesus website.

‘Mamaka’ – A report from Madagascar!

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.

Posted 31st October 2023

Making disciples in the Missionary Diocese of Zambezia

We were delighted to be invited by Bishop Vicente Msosa to provide the first training of any kind for the people of the new missionary diocese of Zambezia in Mozambique. Bishop Vicente is passionate about the need to introduce people to Jesus and to help them to become effective disciples, and we were delighted to support the burgeoning ministry of this new diocese.

The Rooted in Jesus team was led by Bishop Martin Breytenbach, with team members from both the UK and South Africa. A two stream conference catered for both those who will lead small groups of adult disciples, and those who will use the Rooted in Jesus Junior programme to work with children. Martin reports:

The Diocese

“Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, and Zambézia is one of its poorest provinces. It is both rural and isolated. We found that many of the participants had travelled for two to three days to get to the Diocesan Conference Centre in Mocuba. Cyclone Freddy had caused great suffering and devastation; it was the longest lasting and most powerful tropical cyclone ever recorded worldwide. Although we were there two months after the cyclone, we could see evidence of it everywhere: damaged buildings, many without roofs, and large water ponds which had not been there before. We were told that people in Mocuba took refuge in the church building and centre that was still under construction. It stood firm, although most of the windows were broken.

Zambézia is a new Missionary Diocese that was formed out of the Diocese of Niassa when the 42nd Province of the Anglican Communion, the Anglican Church of Mozambique & Angola (IAMA) was created in September 2021. Bishop Vicente Msosa, who was Bishop of Niassa, elected to be translated to this new Diocese, since he has a passion for church planting and disciple making. He is a visionary leader, who needs help, support and guidance to establish a Diocese that is strong administratively, financially and with forward planning. Several people told us of the positive impact of having such a Bishop in their midst. This was the first training event in the new Diocese.

The Team

The Rooted in Jesus team L to R: Daniel, Mund, Colleen, +Martin, +Vicente, Khwezi, Tebogo, Bruce, Elke

Our mandate was to train leaders of Rooted in Jesus groups – who could make disciples who would discover their gifts and callings, and continue to make more disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). This is the normal purpose of a RinJ Training Conference. In addition, Bishop Vicente asked us to train leaders for RinJ Junior – meaning that we were running two parallel conferences at the same time.

The conference

The composition of those participating reflected that of the Diocese: mainly lay people, both men and women of all ages, some of whom are catechists. Nearly all the clergy of the Diocese were present (about 10 priests and deacons). We were very impressed with the calibre of most of the clergy. Bishop Vicente led by example and participated in the conference, together with all the staff of the Diocesan Office. Leaders of the Mother’s Union and Youth were actively involved.

The church is growing so fast that many leaders have received Jesus and know something of the New Testament, but have no prior knowledge of the Bible. What an opportunity to teach and make disciples!

Although we were expecting about 130 participants, 160 arrived in the end. They came on buses, on the back of trucks and in any other way they could. Some of them travelled for two days or more to get there. On the last day of the conference we commissioned and gave certificates to about 110 Rooted in Jesus and 50 Rooted in Jesus Junior leaders.

God is here!

The overwhelming testimony, which we heard again and again during the conference was, “God is here!”

During the first morning Barry, the Diocesan Bookkeeper, called Bishop Vicente aside. “God is here!” he said, “I don’t understand a word of English. But when Bishop Martin was speaking I could understand what he was saying without the translation!”

Drinking and drunkenness are huge problems in the region. Several participants commented, “God is here! We have never been to a conference where there has been no drunkenness or fighting – if this had been a government conference, the police would already have been here to arrest people.” They could see and experience the fruit of the Spirit for themselves, and this was a powerful witness to God’s presence (Galatians 5:19-24).

During one of the ministry sessions, we offered prayer for healing. The participants began to queue up for prayer by members of the team. We said, “We do not need to do all the praying. God is here. You can also pray for one another.” It took some encouraging, but the people prayed for each other. Several testified the next day that they had received healing from God.

The participants were extremely eager to learn. I was reminded of Paul’s experience of the believers in Beroea (Acts 17:11) when I saw a group of participants huddled together after a practice lesson, searching the Scriptures to check up on what they had been learning.

Searching the scriptures together…

And after all that?

Martin concludes: “It was exciting and challenging to introduce Rooted in Jesus and Rooted in Jesus Junior to the leaders of the Diocese of Zambézia. In the four weeks since the conference took place, it has been encouraging to hear that it is already bearing fruit. We have had reports of a number of groups that have started for adults and young people, and are meeting regularly. We have also been amazed to hear that at least four new churches have been planted – partly as a result of the way leaders were inspired and empowered. We praise God who is faithful, and give thanks for the courageous obedience of church leaders in Zambézia, Niassa and Nampula to God’s call.

To God be the glory, great things he has done, is doing, and will continue to do!”

Reflections from Daniel Maganin of the Relay Trust

We are extremely grateful to the Relay Trust, who are supporting the new Diocese of Zambezia in both practical and spiritual ways. They are funding the construction of the new diocesan compound, and they covered the cost not only of the food provided for the conference participants but also of their travel. This enabled many to attend who otherwise who would not have been able to do so.

You can listen to Daniel’s reflections on the conference here.

The last word

We have also posted a report from Bishop Vicente on our YouTube channel.

We are grateful to our partners Growing the Church in South Africa, and its director Bruce Woolley, for providing both team members and the Portuguese Rooted in Jesus books which the leaders will need to start their groups.

Finally, thanks to the many people who supported this mission in prayer. Without you, things might have turned out very differently…

We look forward to continuing to pray for Bishop Vicente and for the leaders as they start their new groups.

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.

The Diocese of Maiwut

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.

Rooted in Jesus Annual Report for 2022

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.

The Crocodile was kind to me…

“The crocodile was kind to me, I stopped swimming and he continued down stream. I used to get beaten everyday for being late for school – boys were not allowed to use boats, I had to swim across the river with my books above my head… This is where I started school; we just wrote the alphabet with our fingers in the sand and the teacher would put a tick in the sand.” Bishop Joseph Mamer of the Diocese of Wanyjok had taken us to the area of his birth and early years, team leader Mike Cotterell writes; there was no bridge then, nor was there a market, nor displaced people in temporary shelters. Visits to places and stories about lives are so powerful.

Life in South Sudan has not got easier. The Rooted in Jesus team ministering in the Diocese of Nyamlel, Aweil and Wanyjok faced difficulties caused not by crocodiles but by the touch-and-go nature of local flights, by flooded roads, damaged buildings, hungry people and a lack of electric light. Many participants had walked miles through swamped fields to attend the conferences, despite the devastation caused to their homes and crops; but prayer was heartfelt and worship vibrant. One man gave thanks for the healing of his feet, which had swollen after he had spent three days walking and wading through floods; a woman who had been unable to stand found after prayer that she was able to walk alone.

One Province, two weeks, three conferences

First stop for the team – Mike Cotterell, Luka Lual, Andrew Nankivell and Leslie Siu – was the Diocese of Nyamlel, founded only three years ago and part of the Internal Province of Northern Barh El Ghazal. Bishop Peter Garang, who was present throughout the four day conference, had written: “It requires more training in order to equip and empower church leaders such as lay readers, evangelists, pastors, elders and youth who must be able to do mission and evangelism properly in their respective parishes across the Episcopal Diocese of Nyamlel.”

A hundred people attended the conference, including three women who arrived and announced “We were not selected to come to the conference, we walked all day to get here and waddled through water waist deep, we don’t want a certificate, we will eat our own food and sleep somewhere, we just want the training.” They received both the training and certificates! Afterwards Bishop Peter wrote: “It is my prayer that those participants who received the basic biblical knowledge and skills during Rooted in Jesus Conference have been touched by the power of the Holy Spirit to start Rooted in Jesus small groups in their respective parishes across the Diocese of Nyamlel.”

Next stop was the Diocese of Aweil. This was a return visit, a follow-up conference for those who were trained last year. “Our journey from Nyamlel to Aweil was uneventful in local terms,” writes team member Leslie Siu; “having to stop and weave our way through herds of cattle, long stretches of dusty tracks with bumps that mean I’m unlikely to complain about potholes in British roads ever again, and seeing many people walking for seemingly endless miles in the baking hot sun.” 84 people turned up to the conference which was hosted by Canon William Aguer and Coordinator John Akok, as Bishop Abraham was receiving medical treatment elsewhere. John reported that many of the 60 groups initially established in the parishes of Aweil town had been interrupted by the recent flooding, and the hope is that the impetus provided by the conference will help them resume once the waters go down.

John Akok with one of the Rooted in Jesus groups in Aweil

The third and final conference took place in the Diocese of Wanyjok – another newly formed diocese. This too was a return conference, providing encouragement and support to those trained last year, and offering training to 50 additional leaders. This is Luka Lual’s home diocese, and he reported that 100 groups had been established after the introductory conference last year, and all had been making good progress, with many of them working through the second book – though once again many had been forced to suspend meeting due to the long period of extensive and unusual flooding which had made roads impassable, and caused crops to fail, people to be cut off or displaced, and houses to fall down.  

Lesli Siu writes: “Our time in Wanyjok was a brilliant final stop to the trip. The conference largely took place under a huge tree Christians have been gathering under for many years. Situated next to a local church school, we regularly had school children coming by to see what was happening. Once again, our gathered times of worship were punctuated by the lively demeanour of the older women who often led the way in joyful song and dance.”

Worshipping beneath the tree in Wanyjok

Afterwards Bishop Joseph Mamer, who was present throughout the conference, wrote: “Everyone was touched, I felt that the Holy Spirit was moving during the conference. I remember one woman got healed as she confessed, another woman whose six children died also gave her life to Christ after many years of following and consulting witchcraft, spearmaster, many evil things, those are very significant. Young youth were also challenged, their lives got changed. We remain grateful and it is our prayer that this program will continue, as I have realized that it’s one of the best tools to bring about transformation and change in our youngest growing diocese of Wanyjok. We pray that this program will flourish into bigger development and growth.”

Filling the gaps

In between the conference sessions, the team were able to spend time engaging with the local children, who were on holiday from school. In Nyamlel, while participants worked in small groups, Mike and Andrew played with a group which began with just a few children but soon grew into a crowd of 40. The next afternoon they ran an impromptu session of gospel teaching with actions, stories, drama and games, and in Wanyjok they led a session in the church school and visited the Bible College.On Sundays they were invited to preach at the cathedrals and in local churches. The mission concluded in Juba with a meeting with a number of bishops who were gathering for their annual conference, and a debrief session with Archbishop Moses Deng.

Luka Lual teaching the children; the Nyamlel Mothers Union; Bishop Peter Garang awarding certificates

Afterword

Mike Cotterell reflects: “South Sudan is often not a comfortable place to live in. But, WOW didn’t we meet loads of people who were hungry for teaching and very welcoming! The Bishop of Aweil was not with us, due to hospitalisation abroad, but the involvement of the other Bishops at nearly everything was very valuable along with senior clergy, who were also engaged and often willing to lead small groups. The most exciting and excitable group at each conference were those from the Mother’s Union, who sang and danced the loudest and longest. The times of meditation and prayer were often extremely still and often long, as people waited on God and prayed and listened to him, often reluctant to finish.”

But perhaps the last word should go to Bishop Peter Garang, who closed the conference in Nyamlel with a powerful reminder to those joyfully receiving their certificates: “The devil is not frightened of a certificate; you need to actually do the work!”

We have committed to praying for them as they do so.

Left: The team – Andrew Nankivell, Mike Cotterell (team leader), Luka Lual and Leslie Siu
Right – click to read Leslie’s detailed report

We hope to return to South Sudan next year, but this will depend not just on the local situation but also on our financial resources. If you would like to help support the ministry of Rooted in Jesus in South Sudan you can do so by clicking on the orange CAF button in the right hand margin of this page – or just follow the link here.

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust, a UK Registered Charity.

Rooted in Jesus returns to South Sudan

Of all the countries where Rooted in Jesus has been adopted as the primary strategy for teaching Christian discipleship, South Sudan is the most challenging in which to minister. Created only 11 years ago after more than 20 years of civil war, South Sudan is the world’s youngest country. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) was quick to plan for the future, and over the next couple of years Rooted in Jesus was introduced to the Anglican dioceses of Nzara, Wau and Yambio. Groups were established, and hopes were high.

The first RinJ conference in South Sudan, Diocese of Nzara, March 2012

But in 2013 a new civil war broke out, and over the next 5 years tens of thousands of people were killed or displaced. After a prolonged period of negotiation a peace agreement was signed in 2018, and whilst South Sudan remains a difficult country to visit, we have been able to continue our support for the Anglican church there. The ending of the Covid19 travel restrictions last year made it possible to accept invitations from the Dioceses of Aweil and Wanyjok, and in May this year we were able to send a team to the Dioceses of Maridi and Yambio. In October a further team led by Barry Blackford ran conferences in Wau and Tonj, and in November Mike Cotterell took a team to offer follow-up conferences in Aweil and Wanyjok, and an introductory conference in Nyamlel.

This report covers the recent conferences in the Dioceses of Wau and Tonj.

The Diocese of Wau

As we prayed for Barry, Derreck, Diana (from the UK), John and Yosefate (from Aweil and Nzara) we became increasingly aware of the difficulties posed by the lack of many of the things we take for granted. South Sudan has few roads, so internal travel has to be by air – and flights are hard to book and liable to change at short notice. Electricity is a bonus, accommodation basic, and clean drinking water not always available. Most people speak and teach in Dinka (into which the leader’s booklets had been painstakingly translated), but not all can read it. Food insecurity is a constant problem, recently exacerbated not only by the suspension of the UN food aid programme following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also by serious flooding which had washed away almost all locally grown crops.

Despite these difficulties, 85 people turned up to the first conference, which ran for four days. A lifetime of civil war isn’t good for morale, pastors are not paid for their ministry, and food insecurity zaps the spirit. The team sensed spiritual weariness and a sense of pervasive passivity. But by the second day something of a breakthrough had been achieved, with a powerful sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Barry wrote:

“As we were praying the Spirit down after the morning teaching it felt right to ask Bishop Peter to give his testimony. It was very powerful & the Spirit poured down in power. During the afternoon Workshop on prayer, a lady was given the verse about Jesus cursing the unproductive fig tree, and she was in tears because he said he wanted the tree to bear fruit – and she’s the tree, and he wanted her to bear fruit. This continued into the evening ministry session where we shared words given to Barry and Diana. People responded to both of these, and one lady was convicted by God and poured out a prayer of repentance. We told her that she is forgiven and then prayed for her deliverance and she was transformed. Most were touched by the Spirit and praised God out loud, often in tongues.”

Smiles all round as delegates receive books and certificates in Wau

At the end of the conference 79 people were commissioned to lead groups on their return home.

The Diocese of Tonj

A bull was killed in the team’s honour

The ECSS is experiencing a period of sustained growth and expansion, and within the Northern Province six new dioceses have been created – one of which is the mission diocese of Tonj, led by Bishop Peter Yuol Gur. The arrival of the Rooted in Jesus team marked the first time Europeans had visited the diocese to teach, and they were given a huge welcome by Bishop Peter and the diocesan leadership team. 100 people had been invited to the conference, but over 120 turned up. The conference was held in the cathedral, with group work taking place outside under the trees.

But here too, the long shadow of the civil war loomed, as the news came in that fighting had broken out in another part of the diocese. Bishop Peter’s nephew had been shot, and two of the delegates learned that family members had been killed. Meanwhile team member Yosefate received the news that back at home in Nzara two of his friends had been attacked by a man with a machete, and one had died. Barry writes:

“One of our interpreters received a message to say that her favourite uncle had been one of those killed in the conflict. She insisted on continuing to interpret for us. When she had finished her stint, I had a chat with her. She shared what had been happening in her life. She had been nursing her sick father, who had died 2 weeks earlier, and she had just been informed by her school that she could not return to complete her education because nursing her dying father was not sufficient reason for missing school. As a result, she was no longer going to be able to sit her exams and go to university. In just 2 weeks she had lost: her father; a very supportive uncle, who was taking her father’s place as head of the family; and her future aspirations of an education and career. Her response was to forgive those who had done these things to her and to say that she knew that God was there with her and would help her through it.”

The result of all this was that the times of prayer intensified. The team learned that the local custom was that people would come for prayer no matter what was happening – if the clergy were in the church, people would just walk in, come to the front and ask for prayer. And so they did – for reassurance, for physical healing, for release from oppression. Worship continued unabated – and was at times, Barry reports, difficult to stop!

“As soon as we finished some teaching, they worshipped; and before we started, they worshipped”

At the end of the conference 105 people were given certificates and commissioned as Rooted in Jesus group leaders, the team were showered with gifts, and Diocesan Secretary Zechariah Dut was appointed as diocesan coordinator. In Wau his counterpart John Awer will undertake this role, and Revd Joseph Uyu will serve as Provincial Coordinator. Archbishop Moses hopes to persist with his plan to introduce Rooted in Jesus to every diocese in the Northern Province over the next decade.

In conclusion

It wasn’t easy – but the team were much encouraged by their experiences:

“Going on these conferences always challenges my faith and spiritual perspective. They inevitably lead to a realigning and recalibrating of my faith as a result of being exposed to the faith of those we have the privilege to minister to. This trip as with the others will impact upon my parish ministry, and not just with a fund of new sermon illustrations! The sense I got of the South Sudanese Church being dependant upon the daily miraculous was both humbling and inspiring in equal measure.” – Derreck Lee-Philpot

“The wanderers have returned with stories to tell and blessings to share. Despite some of the problems that we faced along the way, we feel greatly blessed by what we have seen God doing in the dioceses of Wau and Tonj.  The people of South Sudan are really great and it was so good to have two of the South Sudanese Coordinators with us.  John and Yosefate were a great asset and up for anything. But most of all a really big ‘thank you’ to all of you for your love and prayers,  especially when the times were a Iittle testing.  We were really aware of your prayers when the going got tough.” – Barry Blackford

Conference participants with the bishop and team, Tonj

Finally, a request for your help

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. We will not beat about the bush – ministry in South Sudan is not only challenging but expensive. If we are to continue to work there, helping Archbishop Moses fulfil his vision for growing discipleship across this needy Province, we need your support! If you would be willing to make a donation to enable us to continue this ministry, we would be immensely grateful. And if you would like to join our prayer team, we would be delighted to hear from you too. To make a donation just click the CAF button, or for other ways of giving visit our website. For more information or to join our prayer team, click here.

News from South Africa

We were delighted to receive the latest Rooted in Jesus news from Growing the Church, our partner organisation in South Africa, and would like to share a couple of items with you:


Reflection on the Rooted in Jesus Training held in the Diocese of Umzimvubu

A Rooted in Jesus conference was held in Umzimvubu, a diocese in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, with 65 people attending from 11 parishes. Canon Luthando Xhamlayo writes:

“Spiritual Hunger and Thirst

“Generally speaking, one the clear indications that something is physically wrong with someone is when they lose their appetite. It is the same spiritually. To hunger and thirst for God is is the very root of our being. It is just the way God made us. Because this hunger and thirst is very basic to human nature, we constantly find ourselves seeking fulfilment somewhere else rather than in God. Unfortunately the replacement object leaves a void in our lives.

“This spiritual hunger and thirst manifested itself in the number of priests that we had at the training. We had about 11 priests who attended the event together with their congregants.

“The other sign of people who are hungry and thirsty for God manifested itself in the manner in which all attendees carried themselves. They participated fully and actively.”

A Tribute to Estelle Adams

For more than a decade, Estelle has served as the Provincial coordinator for discipleship in the Province of Southern Africa, and she has been at the hub of the ministry of Rooted in Jesus ever since. It has been a huge privilege to work with her during that time. Estelle began her well-earned retirement earlier this year, and we want to add our voices to the chorus of appreciation for her unstinting service and commitment to the ministry of discipleship.

Trevor Pearce writes:

“Estelle Adams retired from Growing the Church (GtC) on the 31st of July 2022, after 14 years of faithful service. She will always be remembered for her cheerful demeanour and excellent service towards all who engaged with the GtC office.


“How will I, and many of you remember Estelle?

  • As a faithful, Spirit-filled servant of God – such a gifted lady, yet so humble and unassuming.
  • She was a “Mama Hen” who always drew others under her “wings” when they were hurting or discouraged.
  • She was a team player who was always willing to draw others in and “grow” them.
  • Estelle played a significant role in helping GtC and AA make both a regional and global impact.

“From all across our dioceses we say, “Thank you Estelle!” May our Lord grant you a happy, meaning-filled and restful retirement. We all send you lots and lots of love.”

We join Revd Bruce Woolley, the director of Growing the Church, in welcoming Ketha Dube as Estelle’s successor.


To find out more about how Rooted in Jesus is used in South Africa visit our website. Growing the Church offers training and support for Rooted in Jesus and other ministries to find out more click here.

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.

Building new foundations in Burundi

This year we were delighted to be able to respond at last to a pre-Covid invitation to introduce Rooted in Jesus to two new dioceses in Burundi. In August a team of five facilitators travelled from England and from DR Congo to lead the first Rooted in Jesus conferences for the new Anglican Dioceses of Rutana and of Buhiga.

Kim leads a workshop on prayer in Rutana cathedral

First we travelled to Rutana, a young diocese just building its cathedral compound in a remote rural area of the country. Bishop Pontien Ribakare is keen to build a foundation of discipleship as a platform for church growth, and the conference had been organised by national Rooted in Jesus coordinator Elisha Nkeza and the Diocesan Secretary Jean Nisubire. A hundred people – pastors and lay leaders – had travelled to Rutana town for the conference, many walking for several hours from distant villages. All participated with enthusiasm, enjoying the practical aspects of the programme and punctuating the day with praise and worship. Bishop Pontien gave a rousing address at the end, and Philemon Ndayifukamiye, who has just graduated in theology from Bujumbura Christian University and is shortly to be ordained, was appointed as Diocesan Coordinator.

Small group practice beneath the jacaranda trees in Buhiga

The team then set off on a five hour drive through the mountains to Buhiga. Burundi may be poor in terms of world economics – in terms of per capita income it rates as the poorest country in the world – but its hills and valleys are fertile, and its people now live in peace. Everywhere there was an abundance of crops being planted and harvested, and in both places our tables were piled high with beautifully prepared fruit and vegetables. It was a welcoming and encouraging place to be.

Buhiga is an unusual diocese. Its mission station was established by Anglican missionaries back in 1935, and the cathedral was built soon afterwards. It became a centre for education and training, and its schools now see the best educational results in the country. But few of the local people were trained for leadership, and until five years ago Buhiga was part of the much bigger diocese of Gitega. Bishop Evariste Njiimbere is its first bishop, and he and Diocesan Secretary Etienne Nyokindi had invited pastors and lay leaders from all of the 43 parishes to attend the conference. Turnout was exceptionally high, and 146 pastors, catechists, Mothers Union and Youth leaders arrived in time for the opening session.

Coordinators Philemon Ndayifukamiye and Vianney Ndihokubwayo, with Revd Elisha Nkeza (centre)

As in Rutana, all participants were attentive and enthusiastic – even after the generous lunches painstakingly prepared and served in the compound refectory! Worship was exuberant and moving, and each day opened and closed with prayer led by the Dean of the Cathedral. Vianney Ndihokubwayo, also a graduate of Bujumbura Christian University, was appointed as Coordinator, and the national programme will be overseen by Revd Elisha Nkeza, Dean of Muyinga Cathedral.

All members of the team found it a huge privilege to be able to serve the people of Burundi in this way. The team’s only common language was French, whereas that of the participants was Kirundi; teaching was variously delivered in English, French and Swahili, and ably translated by the young university students. The conferences were supported in prayer by a team of intercessors, with whom we were able to keep in touch each day by whatsapp.

The Rooted in Jesus books have been translated into Kirundi.

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust, and we are hugely grateful to all those who give their time, talents and resources to make this ministry possible.

To find out more visit our websites www.mathetestrust.org and www.rootedinjesus.net.

A fresh impetus in the Rwenzori region of Uganda

We have just received a report from Team Leader Ben Beecroft on the recent conferences held in the Dioceses of East Ruwenzori and South Rwenzori in Uganda. Uganda was particularly badly affected by the Covid restrictions, which remained in force for many months and prevented churches from meeting together – so it was particularly good to be able to hold refresher conferences in both dioceses.

A workshop in East Ruwenzori, against the backdrop of the Ruwenzori mountains

The Diocese of East Ruwenzori

The team was composed of members from the UK, Uganda and Kenya. They travelled first to East Ruwenzori, where Rooted in Jesus was introduced in 2019. Over 170 leaders were trained then, and groups had been established – until the pandemic hit.

The conference was held in a local school and attended by 80 leaders, mostly new to the programme.

Ben reports that the hospitality shown to the team was outstanding, and that the teaching was very well received. One team member wrote that for him the most memorable part of the visit was ‘the attentive/appreciative look in the eyes of most participants.’ Another team member particularly valued the change to talk and pray with a pastor whose experience very closely matched his own – ‘ I think God clearly brought us together.’ The prayer times were characterised by healing and deliverance. One man who had been suffering from an ulcerated digestive tract for fourteen years found that by the following day all the pain had gone, and he was able to eat and drink freely. Many others received healing, insight into the issues which had been troubling them, and anointing from the Holy Spirit.

All those attending were given books in the local language of Runyankore. The conference closed on a high note, with participants singing the East Africa revival song at the final commissioning.

The Diocese of South Rwenzori

Rooted in Jesus has been running in South Rwenzori since 2008, with both the adult and the Junior programmes in regular use there. But Bishop Nason Baluku is new to the diocese and places a high emphasis on discipleship, and Coordinator William Musisi has recently returned home after several years away for theological training. The time seemed right to inject fresh impetus into both the adult and the children’s groups – not least to enable the programme to reach out into those areas which are experiencing rapid population growth.

The Rooted in Jesus Junior conference in South Rwenzori

Two conferences were held, running alongside one another, each supported by three team members. Attendance was impressive, with a mix of existing leaders coming for refreshment and new leaders coming for the first time. The adult conference was attended by 99 pastors and lay leaders, and the Junior conference by 78 Sunday School teachers. All those attending were given books in the local language of Lhukonzo.

The team

As always, team members felt that they received far more than they gave. Team leader Ben wrote that although they had begun as strangers, ‘they all gelled together quickly, a testament to God’s grace, answered prayer and their Christian maturity.’ Team members themselves reflected:

  • For me it very much felt I was part of the body of Christ doing discipleship together, supported by the intercessors at home. I received more from the trip than I gave, even though I gave as much as I could.
  • I personally had a tremendous spiritual uplift and blessing, something that had been missing in the past few years, and I want to thank God, the team and the participants for that
  • The visit was amazing. It exceeded our expectations and we felt that God had planned this mission for us with specific moments over the last 30 years. In some ways it was the culmination of a lifetime’s calling.
  • I felt so challenged seeing what the training does in the lives of the individuals – beginning with me! I left with one main challenge, to use the skills I obtained through the leadership, team spirit, humility and love of each member.

The team and coordinators with Bishop George Turyasingura in East Ruwenzori

What next?

The team came home with a great sense of optimism for the future in both dioceses, under the leadership of their bishops George and Nason, and with the commitment of coordinators James, Philip and William. An early encouragement came from Byesembu parish in South Rwenzori, where the Sunday School immediately started following Rooted in Jesus Junior. They sent this photo of the children, who are enjoying the programme and have already completed the third lesson.

The Rooted in Jesus Junior class in Byesembu

We are hugely grateful as always to all those who prayed for the team, participants and dioceses before, during and following the two conferences. Both dioceses ask us to continue to support them in prayer, with Bishop Nason requesting: ‘I pledge to do my best in ensuring that both the implementation and sustainability of the groups are registering growth in South Rwenzori Diocese. Kindly join us in prayer that many more people will be trained to reach out to the increasing population.’

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.

Making disciples in South Sudan

A Rooted in Jesus team has just returned from two weeks in South Sudan – our second visit to this country in recent months. In November we travelled to the Dioceses of Aweil and Wanyjok; this time we were delighted to accept invitations to minister in the Diocese of Maridi and the Diocese of Yambio.

Small group practice outside Maridi Cathedral

The Diocese of Maridi

This was our first visit to the Diocese of Maridi, and it was good finally to be able to go after the long delay caused by the Covid19 pandemic. 120 leaders, lay and ordained, attended the four day conference. Team Leader David Archer reports:

“We received a very warm arrival in the Diocese of Maridi, with its beautiful and verdant setting and prolific mangos.  An impressive delegation of senior clergy met us at Maridi airstrip.  We were then taken the few miles to Maridi Cathedral where we received a welcome from many clergy and delegates, were given a ‘guard of honour’ and presented with garlands.  Bishop Moses formally welcomed us to the Diocese and a time of introductions was completed.  

“The conference ran for four days with preachments on Sunday and followed the standard schedule with all team members taking an active part in both small groups, workshops and plenary sessions.  As the conference progressed, the delegates gained greater confidence and were more vocal in their engagement including the plenary sessions – this was especially noticeable amongst the women. Good engagement was seen throughout the conference including the workshops and small groups.

“The conference finished well, with Bishop Moses presenting certificates to 120 delegates at the closing Commissioning Service, comprising church leaders and lay leaders. Bishop Moses is deeply committed to the success of Rooted in Jesus and has confidence in his Diocesan Coordinator Rev Eli Bangisa Paul, who is the Director of the Chaima Christian Institute and was previously the Provincial Secretary of Western Equatoria.”

“On behalf of the Diocese  of Maridi, I would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to you and the Rooted in Jesus team who visited Maridi recently. The Rooted  in Jesus conference in the Diocese of Maridi  was remarkable and fruitful.”

Bishop Moses Zungo

The Diocese of Yambio

Rooted in Jesus was first introduced to the Diocese of Yambio a decade ago. This second visit provided an opportunity to revitalise the programme after the years of political and social upheaval, and to train a new generation of leaders. Here too over 120 people attended.

Delegates at Yambio with their certificates

David reports: “After a short road trip from Yambio airport to Yambio Cathedral, as in Maridi we were given an enthusiastic reception, a ‘guard of honour’, presented with garlands and an introductory welcome service. Arrival day was spent in preparation for the conference and included time for a meeting with senior clergy, including the Provincial Secretary, the Provost and Archbishop Samuel Peni’s brother Isaiah, appointed to be the Diocesan Coordinator.  

“The energy and passion of the delegates in Yambio was infectious, and it felt vibrant and youthful. As in Maridi, the conference finished well, with the Diocesan Coordinator, Isaiah along with the Provost leading the Commissioning Service. Isaiah presented in excess of 120 certificates to pastors, Mother’s Union leaders, youth leaders and evangelism leaders. During the conference the Diocesan Coordinator appointed a series of coordinators to work with him in implementing Rooted in Jesus across the Diocese.”

“The visit more than lived up to expectations. There was a contentment and joy about the people and their engagement with the conference. They were quick to be singing and dancing and it was a great pleasure for me to join in. They were so excited about being commissioned and keen to get started that some were already planning their first groups that same day. There was a significant response to the teaching on Repentance and Renewal – I was overwhelmed to see nearly all the participants kneeling.

Team member Gay Maynard

David concludes: “The team worked extremely well together and we greatly valued our time away while recognising that this was a physically demanding and challenging trip. For me it was a privilege to lead the team, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.  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.”

Small groups in Yambio; travelling between dioceses; Yambio cathedral

Giving thanks

We are grateful to the team, David, Tim, Gay and Dan for their willingness to set aside their time and resources to travel to South Sudan, and to all those in Maridi and Yambio who welcomed them and looked after them. We are grateful to the intercessors who played a crucial role in praying for the team and the delegates during their time together. And a huge thank you is due to all those whose generosity made this long planned visit to the youngest and one of the poorest countries in the world possible.

Rooted in Jesus has been translated into Local Arabic (Leaders Introduction, left) and Zande (centre & right)

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.
Posted 10th June 2022.

Rooted in Jesus progressses! News from South Africa

We were delighted to read the latest newsletter from Growing the Church, which oversees the ministry of Rooted in Jesus in South Africa. Training has been provided in the Diocese of Natal for Sunday School teachers who will use Rooted in Jesus Junior to disciple childen, and in the Diocese of Cape Town for lay preachers who will use the adult programme. And there is an encouraging report from those using Rooted in Jesus in Zulu in the Diocese of Pretoria.

Download

Saying goodbye

On a more sombre note, we would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Ven Hectorina Tsotetse Motsetse, member of the Growing the Church Board and a national Rooted in Jesus trainer in South Africa, who died unexpectedly last month. Hectorina was a a faithful and fruitful minister both in her local Diocese of Free State and more widely, and a tireless advocate for Rooted in Jesus. She was an early adopter of Rooted in Jesus in her own parish of Bernard the Martyr in Eastern Free State, and during the Covid lockdown she pioneered new groups meeting outdoors in villages where people had no internet access and felt very isolated from their church communities. Hectorina was a valued member of the team which introduced Rooted in Jesus to the Diocese of Gambella in Ethiopia, and was looking forward to helping provide further training in Mozambique later this year.

Hectorina leading a workshop at the RinJ conference, Diocese of Gambella

Hectorina will be sorely missed by her family and by the many people with whom she has shared the life-saving message of the gospel. Here, far away, we are hugely grateful for all she has brought to Rooted in Jesus.

‘May light perpetual shine upon her and may she rest in peace and rise in glory with Jesus’ – Bishop Tsietsi Eleonane and Revd Bruce Woolley.

Posted 28th April 2022

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust. In South Africa it is directed by Revd Bruce Woolley and supported by Growing the Church, which is based in Cape Town.

A return visit to the Diocese of Kitale, Kenya

At the beginning of March the Diocese of Kitale held its second Rooted in Jesus training conference, building on ministry which has taken place in the diocese since the introductory conference held two years ago. The conference was hosted by Bishop Emmanuel Chemengich and Rooted in Jesus coordinator Revd Tarus Kirionon, and led by an international team of five Rooted in Jesus trainers from the US, UK and Kenya.

Revd Geoff Maughan leads a prayer workshop

Team leader Revd Richard Morgan reports:

“195 clergy and lay leaders from the diocese  gathered for a three-day conference. Some had already been running Rooted In Jesus discipleship groups since we introduced  the course two years ago, but most were new leaders.

“Each day we gathered for worship and main session teaching on the principles of the course, and we then broke into small  groups to give leaders a chance to practise leading sessions and receive some feedback. In the afternoon we ran workshops on various skills of small group leadership, and the day ended with an encouragement and a time of ministry.

“There was good feedback from existing groups. Two high school boys and six high school girls had come to faith in two of the groups. Many groups found that people began to engage in ministry in their parish and one parish saw discipleship healing relationships across divisions in the community.

“Our prayer is for God to use this course to move people from being passive believers to active disciples of Jesus Christ in every parish of the Diocese of Kitale.”

Small group practice
Team and coordinators with Bishop Emmanuel
Teaching in the cathedral

Highlights

There were some particularly encouraging moments –

  • Team member Peter Needle writes: “I prayed for a person who wanted to be filled with the spirit but wanted healing as well. We prayed for her to be filled first and then I asked what healing she needed and she replied ‘I don’t need it anymore.’ God had sorted it out while I prayed for her to be filled!”
  • Team member Edward Akhwale observes: “The organization on the ground was very good. The participants were able to actively participate, enjoy and learn. May  our Father God bless this ministry.”
  • Team member Geoff Maughan reflects: “I loved leading workshops outside under the shade of the trees in the Cathedral compound!  Surrounded by about 60 people all in small groups trying out different ways of praying together felt quite wonderful.”

The conference was followed by a one day training session for local facilitators, so that each of the seven archdeaconries would be self sufficient and able to meet ongoing training needs. The focus was on encouraging and supporting existing groups, developing good practice in identifying and recruiting new leaders, and identifying ways of running local training sessions in archdeaconries.

The week concluded on Sunday with a magnificent diocesan Thanksgiving Service in the cathedral, attended by over two thousand people. Richard was honoured to be invited to preach, and to pray with local politicians as they prepare for the forthcoming elections.

Conference video report

Richard has put together a short video with key moments from the conference – introduced by a group who composed a brand new song to the words of one of the memory verses:

Watch a short video presentation by Richard Morgan

Looking ahead

Bishop Emmanuel concludes:

“We praise the Lord Jesus for the successful RinJ leaders conference. Pray with us that Christ’s grace will abide with the newly trained leaders so they move with urgency and passion to establish RinJ groups across the Diocese, and for the existing leaders to be re-energized and keep pressing on with this vital discipleship program for growing our members to be more and more like Jesus.”

Can you help us?

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by the Mathetes Trust, a small charity reliant on the support of individuals and churches. This year we have many invitations to help dioceses as they re-establish and develop their ministry following the pandemic. If you would like to help we would be very grateful. To make a financial contribution towards the cost of food and leaders’ materials for each conference just click on the orange donation voucher – or get in touch with us via our website. Thank you!


Posted 24th March 2022

Rooted in Jesus Annual Report 2021

We have just published the Rooted in Jesus Annual Report for 2021. It was another challenging year, with the Covid19 pandemic not only causing illness and death but also preventing fellowship, travel, and in many places the generation of income. Churches across Africa have been particularly hard hit, with news coming in of famine, armed raids, enforced exile and war, as well as increased poverty and lack of resources related to the pandemic itself.

And yet thanks to the courage and persistence of our partners there was much to be thankful for too. Rooted in Jesus conferences went ahead in DR Congo, Tanzania, Madagascar, South Sudan and Uganda, and the first Zoom conferences were held in South Africa. In many places we learned that the Rooted in Jesus groups had been able to meet even when churches were closed, some in person, some online. People came to faith in Madagascar, Mozambique and Uganda and joined new groups set up to disciple them, and another new parish was inaugurated for families recruited through Rooted in Jesus Junior in Madagascar. Here in the UK a final book was added to the adult programme, and translations of the existing booklets commissioned and completed in twelve languages.

From then to now – Rooted in Jesus crosses a new threshold

2021 was a significant milestone for us : Rooted in Jesus completed its twentieth year of ministry! During that time it has been introduced to 100 Anglican dioceses or denominational networks, trained 17,558 leaders in 142 conferences in 18 African countries, and provided materials in 48 languages. Often it’s been the first discipleship programme people have ever had, and almost always the first in their own language.

There have of course been many ups and downs on the way. Not all those leaders have been successful, and the ravages of war, cyclones, famines and poverty continue to make life very difficult in some of the areas where we minister. But we continue to sow seeds wherever we are asked to go, and we have seen wonderful things happen too – thousands coming to Christ, embarking on ministry, impacting their communities, planting new churches and even dioceses. It’s been a humbling journey, and one which we look forward to continuing in the years to come.

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. The full report can be downloaded from the Rooted in Jesus website here.

Posted 20th February 2022

The Diocese of Aru, DR Congo

The Diocese of Aru is located in the far north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, not far from the borders with Uganda and South Sudan. Rooted in Jesus was first introduced there ten years ago. At that time the Diocesan Christian Education Coordinator explained that whilst personal faith may be strong among the clergy, few people had a real understanding of their faith, and most had no access to materials in their own language. “Our vision,” he wrote, “is to see gospel saturation so that every man, woman and child has a daily encounter with Jesus through word or deed.”

Since then, the area has been through a time of great political and social instability, and then of course came the disruption of Covid. But just over a year ago CMS mission partner Peter Wyard got in touch with us. Peter is now overseeing Christian Education in the diocese, and he wanted to launch an ambitious programme of further training for Rooted in Jesus.

The Rooted in Jesus facilitators

Peter assembled a local training team of 5 people, and together they planned an series of archdeaconry training conferences and followup visits. Translations into Lugbara, Kakwa and Alur are under way, and the new groups are making good progress. Peter writes:

“One of my main roles here in Aru Diocese is Coordinator of Christian Education. That covers the whole spectrum of lay Christian education and discipleship. We have decided to concentrate on discipleship, and we are using Rooted in Jesus as the basis of our programme. The plan is to roll out the course by means of a series of five archdeaconry training courses in each part of this large diocese, with the aim of establishing an RinJ group first in every parish, and eventually in every chapel.

“We are following the principle that it is best to run the conferences, and the RinJ groups themselves, in people’s mother tongue wherever possible. This a big challenge in our diocese where we have several different mother tongues and no effective common language. Our ultimate goal is to produce all 4 books in Lugbarati, Kakwa, Alur and Lingala. This is a slow and painstaking process, but the reward would be great, as the Diocese would then have a really solid base of material for Christian education in the mother tongue of most of our people.

Delegates in Kumuru make pastoral commitments to care for their groups

Peter continues:

“The conferences have been a spiritual high for the team and for the participants, but the really hard work has been in the follow up, which we are doing as diligently as possible.

“In Congo there are many things that hinder the regular meeting of RinJ groups: illness, death and funerals, rain and awful roads … But the biggest challenge is the low level of many pastors in terms of education and general capacity. So the pastoral follow-up of RinJ groups has been very hard, but also fascinating and rewarding. In Aru archdeaconry the 9 original groups have now become 17, and in Opinyani and Ekanga archdeaconries 8 of the 10 groups are going well.

“At the end of Book 1, we asked each group to share their testimonies. These have been extremely encouraging, giving evidence of a real difference being made in the lives of individuals, church and community. Here are a few:

  • “Before RinJ we were in ignorance about Jesus Christ, what he asked his disciples to do, and how to know the will of God. This teaching is very important, and if we all put it into practice, our church will truly grow and change.” Maman Claudine
  • “Thank you for this teaching. It has built a good relation between me and the other Christians (in my parish). We have seen a change in the practical life of our Christians.” Pastor Dudu
  • “After many temptations, I had really gone backwards in my Christian life. With this teaching, and the memory verses, I have been comforted. I begin to find peace again in my life, which I will really teach and spread in my family.” Jean
  • “This teaching has helped me a lot. It has taken away my shame. Now I have become a member of the church choir. I will continue to follow this teaching and will also be baptised on Christmas Day. Matt. 7.7 gives me hope: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Régine

Peter and his team ask us to continue praying for them as they work to support the group leaders; for those working on translations; and for the oversight of the programme when his time in Aru comes to an end.

Pastoral commitments are written up in Kakwa; the kitchen team; preparing to lead a practice group session

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust.
Posted 25th January 2021

A window of opportunity

At last! In October all African countries came off the UK government Covid ‘red list’, enabling us to honour a longstanding invitation from Bishop Abraham Nhial to introduce Rooted in Jesus to the Diocese of Aweil in South Sudan, and to combine this with the first conference in the new neighbouring Diocese of Wanyjok. With little notice (but considerable difficulty!) our team were able to source flights and make the necessary arrangements for Covid19 testing and certification, and the conferences were held in the first two weeks of November.

Groups get to grips with Rooted in Jesus in Wanyjok

Team leader Mike Cotterell writes:

“We ran two Rooted in Jesus conferences in Aweil and Wanyjok in Northern Bahr el Ghazal Province. 100 and 150 people were expected, and we had only slightly fewer. Those who came were clearly glad to have been invited. Our vision of learning discipleship in small groups was shared and seemed easily accepted. Practice small groups went well, and all the teaching was well received.”

There were, he reflects, many highlights both in the conferences themselves and in the moments in between:

“Testimonies of healing and spiritual renewal. Team members John and Barry teaching about the Holy Spirit, followed by extended times of utter silence as we bathed in the Spirit’s presence. Many unplanned conversations outside of the conference: talking to a large group of young men after their evening football training, praying in the street with a group of unemployed young men; talking to 80 children in Sunday school; Cathie speaking with the Mothers Union and seeing their faces light up; teaching an impromptu lesson in school on the Trinity.”

The Diocese of Aweil

In Aweil 76 people were commissioned to lead groups on their return home, of whom 41 were men and 35 women. More than half testified that they had felt the power of God during the conference; 15 said that they had received physical healing, and nearly all that the Holy Spirit had touched their hearts or minds. 10 made a first time commitment to Christ, and 3 said they would now be reconciled with someone from whom they were estranged.

Bishop Abraham Nhial wrote afterwards that “The Rooted in Jesus conference in the Diocese of Aweil has educated our pastors and evangelists, who will contribute to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God in Aweil and beyond.” The diocese had arranged for the books to be translated into Dinka Rek (no small undertaking given that this is primarily a spoken language with a non-standard alphabet), and a young pastor named John Akok Akok was appointed as the diocesan coordinator.

The Diocese of Wanyjok

Wanyjok is a huge diocese whose territory stretches right up to the border with Sudan and Darfur, and most parishes are in remote rural areas; founded only four years ago, it has little infrastructure but a growing ministry and a clear strategic plan to raise up faithful Christian leaders. The Rooted in Jesus conference aimed to serve this vision, and 138 people were trained and commissioned to lead groups, of whom 83 were men and 55 women. Mike Cotterell reflects:

“The temperature was in the high thirties, but the enormous tree branches gave welcome shade. Here the Church first began. A remote area outside a small town; now the Cathedral was too small for Sundays, with its tin roof too hot for people to sit all day. Canon Tito the Church founder was with us. People told us “we are the first generation of Christians in this region”. It was an exciting time and place. Amongst us were young men from the grass and mud huts of the Bible college, Pastors, Evangelists and Mothers Union members, with younger women sitting behind, all eager to know more. Some people had walked two days to get there.” 

At the end of the conference an astonishing 88 people said they had experienced physical healing, 80 said their ministry had been strengthened, and 60 testified to feeling spiritually renewed. 40 testified to reconciliation, with others saying their hearts had been healed, they had learned new things about the Holy Spirit or about prayer, and that they had committed themselves to Jesus in a new way. Afterwards Bishop Joseph Mamer wrote: “It was really a blessing to have you in our diocese, I’m receiving encouraging reports from individuals who had attended the conference. Many participants confess that their lives have been changed. It is my prayer that it will have a significant impact not only in individuals’ lives, but that their communities and local parishes will be transformed and grow in maturity in faith and understanding of the Word of God.”

Luke Lual Ngong was appointed as diocesan coordinator, and wrote a couple of weeks later to say that 11 groups had already started in one archdeaconry.

Participants testify that their lives have been changed – photo by Luke Lual

Looking ahead

Within days of the team’s return to the UK a new Covid variant was detected in South Africa, and once again many countries are imposing travel restrictions. At times it had seemed that this trip would not be able to go ahead; but afterwards the team were left feeling, as Mike put it, that it had been “a special time of usefulness, which will hopefully give birth to much spiritual growth in the years ahead, as people share the fire of God’s love, sharing their passion for Him, His salvation, His Word and see The Spirit powerfully at work – in places we will never know or hear of – but they will know, and so will God. ” 

In the meantime plans for conferences in 2022 are already in place and work on translations continues, as does our ministry of prayer and support for those already using Rooted in Jesus. We hope and pray that the new variant will prove mild – and we will continue to jump through the gaps where we can!

Rooted in Jesus is published and supported by The Mathetes Trust. If you would like to find out more please do visit our websites www.rootedinjesus.net and https//mathetestrust.org, or get in touch with us directly.

Posted 13th December 2021

Give us this day our daily bread

As the international climate change conference gets under way in Glasgow, our hearts and minds are with the peaceful people of Madagascar, who continue to suffer the devastating effects of what has been described as the world’s first climate-change famine.

A single mother feeds her children, photo courtesy Bishop Gilbert Rateloson

Some of us have been able to contribute to a food aid programme run by the Diocese of Toliara which has seen a hugely positive response; but this is a problem which is not going to go away any time soon. Bishop Gilbert of the neighbouring Diocese of Fianarantsoa has been speaking out about the indescribable suffering of the people. “The situation has worsened since March 2021, especially for our women and children. We need short, medium, and long-term interventions,” he says; “and we will need to begin shifting from rain-fed agriculture.”

Finding a way forward

As we continue to pray for rain, Bishop Gilbert remains confident that the Church has an important role to play, even though it does not have the financial resources to feed the million people who are struggling with the effects of prolonged drought:

“As a diocese, we are offering pastoral care and encouragement. We have an opportunity to provide a Christian response, including a message of hope. We are the people of God. We must continue to teach and train in accordance with the Holy Scripture in these trying times. We are running programs for Sunday school and discipleship so that our people can become responsible in this situation, especially when it comes to civic-mindedness. We believe God is marching with us, because we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Many of the people in my diocese are children, so we are also laying a firm foundation for our shared future. We are learning to fortify the faith of our people and staying with them through prayer, fellowship, guidance, and counselling.”

Bishop Gilbert Rakotondravelo Rateloson
Sunday School teachers at the Rooted in Jesus Conference in Mananjary, October 2021

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord

To this end, in October, Bishop Gilbert invited us to help support a follow-up conference for the Sunday School teachers using the Rooted in Jesus Junior discipleship programme. With books now printed on the island, and a local team of facilitators providing training and support, Bishop Gilbert is confident that practical discipleship will enable people to come together in small groups to pray, to support one another, and to face the challenges of life together. He reports:

“Thanks be to God because our training with all teachers of our diocese finished last Sunday with a great celebration at St John’s parish Mananjary. The theme of our meeting was taken from the Holy Scripture of 2 Tim 4.2, ‘to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it whether the time is right or not, to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience’. During this training, Rev Canon Zaralahy Paulin, priest of Mananjary, taught the contents of the Bible, and Rev Canon Jean Flobert explained the methods and psychology of children with the importance of using tools from RinJ. I taught them again the nature of Anglicanism and the conduct of Sunday school teachers with their responsibilities because God calls them to be teachers. We have given all participants a book, and a certificate to mark the end of their training. All participants are ready to practice the training and wish for continuous cooperation with Rooted in Jesus.”

Bishop Gilbert Rakotondravelo Rateloson
Children learning to pray in Mananjary on our last visit to the diocese

It is desperately difficult to accept that our shared resources are inadequate to prevent the suffering currently being experienced in Madagascar, and to confront the probability that things will only get worse, not just in Madagascar but in many other places too. As we continue to serve some of the poorest people in the world, we can only pray for united and concerted international action, reminding ourselves that whilst everything around us may be uncertain, the reality of our faith is not. At the front of every Rooted in Jesus booklet are printed these words from the prophet Jeremiah:

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17.7-8.

Our prayer is that it may be so.

Posted 1st November 2021