Attend the Madagascar Mission Network virtual conference Nov. 12–14

Co-workers and partners will discuss mission on the world’s fourth-largest island

by Tammy Warren | Presbyterian News Service

Madagascar faces huge challenges to provide a future for its children as well as for endemic plants such as these baobab trees. (Photo by Elizabeth Turk)

LOUISVILLE — Church leaders, mission co-workers, global partners and supporters around the world will connect online during the 2020 Madagascar Mission Network virtual gathering Nov. 12–14. The gathering will cover highlights of mission and ministry alongside the nearly 6- million-member Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM).

The online conference opens Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time with a showing of the film “Ady Gasy” (“The Malagasy Way”). The evening will include a post-film discussion with the film’s director, Lova Nantenaina, and several anthropologists who have conducted field work in Madagascar. On Friday, Nov. 13, there will be seven sessions that share about various FJKM ministries and how the Madagascar Mission Network is partnering with the church to share God’s abundant love with the Malagasy people.

Children in Madagascar are pictured holding seedlings (Photo by Dan Turk)

Presenters include FJKM President Irako Andriamahazosoa Ammi, along with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission co-workers, including Dan and Elizabeth Turk, who serve in the fields of agriculture and health, respectively; Christi Boyd, facilitator for women and children’s interests in Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Rwanda and South Sudan; and Doug Tilton, regional liaison for Southern Africa. Speakers will cover the FJKM’s work in training theological leaders for tomorrow, empowering and protecting women, responding to the impact of COVID-19 on Madagascar, advancing education, combating AIDS through community health, and growing fruit to eradicate systemic poverty.

the Rev. Helivao Poget

The Rev. Helivao Poget, director of the Ministry to Marginalized People (SAFFIFAA) of the Chaplaincy Department of the FJKM, will join Boyd to share examples of FJKM ministries that address the prevention of human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Learn more about Mamonjy, a human trafficking prevention campaign in Madagascar.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PC(USA) and other members of the Madagascar Mission Network have been offering financial and logistical support for the FJKM in its ongoing efforts to educate people about the virus; equip the church’s 30 medical dispensaries with protective and cleaning supplies; provide food, water and supplies to suffering people; and communicate with members unable to attend worship.

An FJKM church at Ambohimitombo (Photo by Dan Turk)

During the pandemic, FJKM’s radio network is broadcasting worship services, and the FJKM president has been participating in televised worship services. Several FJKM branches, including the AIDS Committee, are producing and distributing masks. FJKM’s Development Department created COVID-19 flyers and training materials. Grants from the PC(USA) have funded many of these activities.

Register here to register to attend the Madagascar Mission Network virtual conference.

The Israel-Palestine Mission Network is hosting its annually meeting virtually Nov. 13-14. Register to attend the Israel-Palestine Mission Network online gathering here.

Mission networks and partnership networks bring together Presbyterians from around the United States who share a common international mission focus. World Mission-related mission and partnership networks facilitate building and maintaining healthy partnerships and provide a place for representatives of various PC(USA) partnerships to share information, learn from each other, coordinate their efforts and find ways to have greater impact together as a network.

Each mission network or partnership network centers on a specific country, people group or program area of ministry and is composed of Presbyterians who represent international mission partnerships established through their synods, presbyteries, congregations or other PC(USA) entities.