Join an Ignite Team in Madagascar

Are you a Church or Mission leader who could play a part in outreach ministries happening across Madagascar?

Could you use the opportunity to serve God overseas for 1-2 weeks to move you to inspire and encourage your congregation/context to take the gospel to the ends of the earth?

Background:

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, and home to around 25 million Malagasy people. Despite the gospel having been preached on the island for over 200 years, many of them remain unreached. In some areas there is enthusiasm amongst believers in sharing the gospel with those around them and in many areas of Madagascar, people are free to preach the gospel. But cross-cultural mission remains a challenge. Animistic traditions are woven into Malagasy culture, and particularly in many of the coastal areas, Islam is growing.

AIM has been engaged in Madagascar since 1980 in different outreach ministries including student work, theological education, church planting, healthcare ministries, Bible translation, ethnomusicology and more.

This opportunity will involve working with the Sakalava people on the island of Nosy Be, off the northwest coast of Madagascar. The Sakalava combine traditional African spirituality, where life and community are dependent on the relationship between the living and their ancestors, with elements of folk Islam and Christianity. They are a minority ethnic group, making up about 6.2% of the population.

Vision and Strategy

This Ignite team aims to provide church and mission leaders with an opportunity to experience mission work amongst the Sakalava people of Madagascar. Our prayer is that as you are exposed to and envisioned for cross-cultural mission, you would be inspired to in turn, encourage and challenge your congregations to participate in sharing the gospel across the globe- as supporters or senders of missionaries and/or going out as missionaries themselves.

Ministry and Type of Work

As part of an Ignite team, you will observe, learn and participate in the outreach ministries that are happening amongst the Sakalava people. There will be particular opportunities to experience the culture and build relationships, including with local believers, in different ministry settings while reflecting on your ‘home’ church context/congregation, and considering ways to encourage greater participation in cross-cultural missions.

Qualifications and Experience

Must be a current Church/Mission Leader of a local church congregation.

What are the personal (not academic) characteristics required?

Passionate about sharing the gospel and seeing the church mobilised for missions
Willingness to learn and take direction from the mission team and national church leadership
Servant-hearted leader
Flexible and adaptable
Encourager and motivator of others

Other Information

Teams are expected to be sent in May 2023. For more details, get in touch.

Knowledge of the Malagasy language is not essential; translation will be provided.

FAQS

Does my church need to support me doing this?

Yes. The Bible makes it clear that the church sends missionaries (e.g. Acts 13) and has an ongoing pastoral responsibility for them. As much as AIM is a key partner in the process and facilitates ministry in Africa, we will not accept into membership anyone who does not have a positive recommendation and support from their church. AIM will discuss your application with your church leaders – after all they know you better than we do – as together we seek to discern that this is God’s calling for you.

Listen to Tim Matthews, one of our Mission Advisors, talking about the churches role in sending missionaries:

A number of pastors also share their thoughts in these clips:

How do I begin the application process?

The easiest way is to fill out the contact us form on our website. Once we receive that form, we’ll be in touch to arrange a time to discuss together how the Lord is leading you.

How is AIM different from other mission organisations?

Every mission organisation is different, and no one organisation is necessarily better than another. It’s more about finding an organisation that’s a good fit for you, where your calling and the organisation’s calling and values are a good match. AIM’s emphasis is on reaching those who have yet to hear the gospel, and all our ministry - long and short term - is designed to see Christ-centred churches among all African peoples. Regardless of how long you serve for and the different gifts, skills and experience you bring with you, your ministry will be part of that bigger goal. That may mean going to difficult or hard to reach places to share the gospel. Working in partnership with the local church in Africa, we labour for the over 300 million people living in Africa who have little opportunity to hear the gospel, and even less to be discipled as a follower of Jesus. Is God calling you to go to them?

Listen to Tim Matthews, one of our Mission Advisors, explaining why we’re passionate about reaching those who have yet to hear the gospel:

Bezara

These people came to my home and talked about Jesus and Lazarus. Lazarus was someone who wanted to see Jesus, and Jesus came to his home. My wife and I accepted Jesus as our Saviour. We gave the belongings of the spirits to be burned. We are free.

Interested? Get in Touch

Short term (under a year)

There are many ways to serve short term. Whether on a team, as an individual, on a medical elective, or as a Bible college placement, short term with AIM fits into our long term ministry of reaching Africa’s unreached with the gospel. LEARN MORE

Madagascar

Madagascar. The world’s fourth biggest island boasting flora and fauna that exist nowhere else on earth. 92% of the population exist on less than £2 per day. 41% of the population identify with Christianity, 7% with Islam, the majority follow Traditional African Religions. LEARN MORE

Outreach & Evangelism

We long to let all Africa's people know that they can have life, in all its fullness, for comfort rather than being in fear of breaking taboos or working to earn favour in the eyes of their gods. LEARN MORE

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