I am finally in receipt of the architectural drawings of the proposed Campus for the Diocese of Mahajanga! I am so excited!
Some time ago Relay Trust gave the Diocese of Mahajanga a large parcel of land very near the university campus. The land was donated for the purpose of constructing a diocesan training centre. The training centre is meant to be the heart of renewal, catechesis, and training for all those involved in ministry in the diocese - priests, deacons, evangelists, catechists, intercessors, and children’s ministers. I am very grateful to Relay Trust for the gift of this land!
The land is large enough to support a series of buildings which will together form a diocesan campus including the training centre, diocesan offices, a bishop’s house, a guest house, an administrator’s house, four retired clergy cottages, an outdoor Altar… and 80 university dormitory double occupancy rooms!
The dormitory rooms will bring amazing opportunities including financial stability, evangelism, and a university church plant. Up to 160 students will pay rent to live on the campus, which will provide income that will cover the total cost of both the operating and maintenance expenses of the campus. The rental income will also provide the funds to pay the priests a salary comparable to that of a teacher in a government run high school. This will significantly improve the health and well-being of the diocesan priests and their families. The bishops, administrator, and retired priests on campus have the amazing opportunity to come along the students and share the Gospel! And the training centre will serve as a university church allowing time for Sunday and mid-week services plus theological education throughout the week! As I do often say, you can’t make this up!
The challenge is, we have the land, but we need the funds to build the campus. The drawings break down the costs for the various buildings, and of course there are the added costs of getting running water and electricity to the campus, and of building the security walls. All together the project will cost between 1.5-2 million US dollars…which is a lot of money. But I believe that the storehouses of heaven are full. Would you pray with me for miraculous provision? Are you able to help? Is your parish or diocese able to help? If so, please message me and I will explain the various costs for each piece of this project. And of your Christian charity, please pray, pray, pray!