Short Term – Fuel Training Programme, Madagascar

This is an opportunity for single men to be partnered with Malagasy single men in a training programme in missions which is in partnership with other mission organisations. For six weeks you will live and breathe missions in the midst of the Sakalava people group. You will be taught, discipled, mentored in missions and engage with the Sakalava on a daily basis.

Background

From 2013-2015 an AIM TIMO team began ministering on the island of Nosy Be off the northwest coast of Madagascar, building relationships and learning the local Sakalava dialect, breaking the ground for a future church plant. 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.

The TIMO team was involved in children’s ministries, English teaching, a music ministry, Sakalava Bible translation, and a regular outreach event. All of these ministries shared the common end goal of forming a Sakalava church. Some ministries focused on providing resources for a future church (e.g. music ministry providing Sakalava worship music, translation providing Scripture in Sakalava). Other ministries focused on providing examples and opening doors for a future church (e.g. the outreach event and children’s ministries). All of the ministries started through relationships formed by the team and their commitment to living in and with the community.

Vision and Strategy

As local churches are established, the team will continue discipling Sakalava Christians as they discover their true identity in Christ and become catalysts for change in their families and communities. Part of the ongoing ministry among the Sakalava is to run FUEL teams of local Malagasy and international short term missionaries who receive training and experience of cross-cultural mission on Nosy Be. This is an opportunity for western single men to be partnered with Sakalava single men in a training program in missions. For six weeks these men live and breathe missions among the Sakalava people. They will be taught, discipled, mentored in missions and engage with the Sakalava on a daily basis.

Ministry and type of work

This is primarily a discipleship and training programme, but there will be opportunities daily to engage with the Sakalava. Participants will work on learning the local language  and have opportunities with local church and partners to serve in different ways as they witness in word and deed amongst the Sakalava. 

Qualifications and experience

University students who speak English.

What are the personal (not academic) characteristics required?

Men with a desire to learn more about missions, who are interested in or open to cross-cultural mission work in the future.

Other information

This team will run for 6 weeks in July-August 2023 (exact dates to be confirmed). Participants must attend for the full duration of the team. Housing will be provided, and will be basic huts with wooden floors.

FAQS

If you are 18 or above then you can serve as a short term missionary. You will need to sign AIM’s statement of faith, pass standard health checks and have no previous criminal convictions.

The approximate cost of a placement is £600-£1,800 for 1-4 weeks, £3,000 for 3 months, £4,500 for 6 months, and £7,000 for 12 months (though this will vary depending on the country and type of placement).

Don’t forget to ask your church about ways they can help you to raise support. You can also earn the money, apply for grants, organise a sponsored event or hold an information evening about what you will be involved in. Further guidance on raising support will be given once you have been accepted onto the short term programme.

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:

Lucy

One of the biggest blessings I experienced during my time overseas has been meeting new people from a different religion and culture and learning so much from them.

Interested? Get in Touch

Hi, my name is Debbie. If this opportunity interests you, or you have any questions, please do get in touch.​

Interested in serving form

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
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