Salle de dance Dih'Art Antanimena (en face de la Station Total Antanimena)

The church now stands at 29 members which are divided into four family groups. We speak both French and Malagasy, although services are held in the Malagasy language. There are translators if there is English-speaking guests. Apart from our weekly services and our workshops in marriage, parenting and youth, we also hold Hope activities mostly focused on hygiene awareness, care for elders, orphanages and undeserved communities.

When people hear the name Madagascar, they think of the animated movie, but there is more to this island than the endangered lemurs. With a population of just around 29 million, Madagascar is the second-largest island country in the world, yet one of the poorest nations. The church in the capital Antananarivo (Tana) comprises 29 members—14 men and 15 women; they grew from 15 to 29 members in the last 5 years. A couple part-time leaders, Roma and Hanta Randrianavelona, have been taking care of the church since 2011.

How is the Church going after the Covid-19?

We have reestablished our Sunday services and Wednesday mid-week services. We also continue to have an online mid-week services and an online prayer devotion every Friday evening. WhatsApp group really helps us to deliver teaching, discipline and long distance bible studies. Our prayer is that this opportunity contributes to trigger members’ spirituality and Church growth.

One of our victories also is the fact that we are starting to organize regularly our local youth camp since 2021. This program is important for taking care of our kids and youth community members.

What challenges are you facing?

One of our current main challenges is to reconquer campuses and youth generation. After many tentatives, we recognize that this is a challenging target but we are continually devoting ourselves to find out more efficient approaches.

How did you become involved with the church?

The church was planted in 1997. Hanta was baptised in 1998 and assisted the mission team leaders from 2000 to 2005. I (Roma) was baptised in 1999 on campus while a third-year student at the Faculty of Science at the Antananarivo University. I led the campus ministry from 2000 and assisted HOPE worldwide with community outreach activities.

The two of us “grew up” in the church, started dating in 2003, led the singles ministry together from 2004 to 2006, and got married the following year. We now have three boys aged 15, 13 and 11 years old. I started working part-time for the church in 2016 and Hanta in 2019.

What is your dream for the church on the island?

We are praying that we will continue to grow this year as we are studying the Bible with some people despite the limitations caused by the pandemic. We love the church so much, and have dedicated ourselves not only to serve in the ministry but to increase our knowledge of God and His word. We’ve been fortunate to attend ministry training in South Africa in the past, and enrolled in courses with the Athens Institute of Ministry last year. Our fervent dream is to raise up the next generation of young leaders, and to expand the church beyond Tana into the five other provinces of Madagascar.

Please pray for the growth and safety of the church in Tana.