Strategic Connections
A Great Help in Ministry
I have remained in Antananarivo these past few days so that I could attend a conference for Malagasy pastors which was jointly hosted by 3M (a coalition of primarily reformed Malagasy pastors) and Union School of Theology (Wales). The president of Union, The Rev’d Dr Michael Reeves, was the main conference speaker. Reeves is a priest of the Church of England, one formed and rooted in the evangelical wing of the church with ties to All Souls, Langham Place.
I was made aware of the Conference by a Canadian friend, Daniel Henderson, who’s ministry is in providing the French-speaking developing world with sound theological books. I met Daniel some years ago at the Getty’s Sing Conference in Nashville. Given that French is the official language of Madagascar, Daniel, and his connections have been very helpful to me in trying to provide good resources both to my priests and to St Patrick’s Theological College.
Reeve’s words were encouraging for pastors in as much as they were a clarion call, in the words of St Paul to Timothy, ‘to keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching’. Reeves stressed the tendency we can have of performing ministry, and even loving ministry. Sadly, however, this can replace our first love which is to be for the Lord Himself.
I was very happy to receive several cases of theological books which have been translated into Malagasy and have even been printed here in Madagascar. I have arranged to have this printing company prepare a quote for me to print the Malagasy translation of the ACNA Catechism To Be a Christian. This is a very strategic connection to have made.
Getting books printed abroad is too expensive, and the weight of having them shipped to Madagascar is prohibitive. Having a local printing company will be very advantageous for me, and for the other Malagasy dioceses.
Tomorrow I will begin the long drive from Antananarivo to Mahajanga. Please pray for travelling mercies, as you see in the picture – the road is…well….not great!!
To make an offering in support of my missionary ministry please use either of these links:
Into All The World (Canada) Donate
Or you can E-transfer by email to Good Samaritan (my Canadian Parish) directly.
cogstreasurer@hotmail.com
OUCH !