| More Feedback from the Conferences ... |
| Burundi |
| “We are encouraged by the testimony of returning leaders.They are testifying to lives transformed, people giving up alcohol, people being healed, Christians who have stopped praying praying again, and a pastor who was tempted to convert to Islam staying rooted in Jesus. At the conference we are seeing them become more free in their worship and growing in confidence. We have seen the holy spirit poured out and have seen people healed of leg pain, headache and pain of previous miscarriages.” Kevin Roberts, team leader, Diocese of Muyinga, July 2014 |
| "I was touched by all the people gathering from far who laid hands on me in groups and prayed for me. I was healed of sickness"; "I felt refreshed by the teaching, testimonies, praying for one another and I'm excited about being strengthened for the future work - I'm expectant of more from God"; "I was challenged by the visual demonstration of the blind woman and the tied up woman and the importance of serving together and how we express love"; "I was challenged by the sketch on leadership and not to be so harsh and unkind. I feel God is calling us to love one another more as we walk towards heaven" - conference participants, Diocese of Bujumbura, July 2013 |
| DR Congo |
| "During the training we were living in the presence of the Holy Spirit. During the times of prayer and praise, the following things took place: participants learned how to pray more deeply and effectively; some were freed from family bondages; some received inner healing; demons were cast out; key skills were acquired" - Revd Stephane Makata, Coordinator, Diocese of Katanga, July 2015 |
| "The conferences which you led here in Kalemie it is real without measure that we enjoyed them, and we got great spiritual benefit through the Rooted in Jesus team who taught us how to lead the groups and to make people to be disciples of Jesus Christ, then to go to find others by showing the love of God. We expect many harvest and good fruits in the will of Holy Spirit. Prophet Ezekiel saw the valley of dry bones, so we were a valley of dry bones but now through RinJ team God breathed new life into a valley of dry bones, created waves of revival, waves of growth and spiritual life to His people in Congo" - Bishop Elisha Tendwa, Missionary Bishop in the Diocese of Katanga, DR Congo, March 2014 |
| "There is a great sense of expectancy and confidence in participating. The afternoon session was inspiring. The Holy Spirit was powerfully present, the message was received with (again) great expectancy, praying for each other in pairs or in threes was intense and Spirit filled. Many many came for personal prayer at the end and the accompanying singing, quiet and reflective, gave a taste of heaven" - Gill Brown, Chair of the Congo-Chester link, Diocese of Aru, DR Congo, April 2011 |
| 'These people have brought us medicine.God has brought them to revive our Churches. He has vision for His people and the Church in Congo' - conference participant, Diocese of Nord Kivu, July 2011 |
| 'We are catching the fire, we are catching the fire' - conference participant, Diocese of Nord Kivu, July 2011 |
| Kenya |
| "God bless you in a mighty way because you prayed for my son last year and God healed him. So give thanks to God, because he never underwent the operation" – Lucy Mugwanja, Kirinyaga diocese, Kenya, August 2004 |
| "He told me to rise up and start sharing the gospel. The Spirit of God revealed to me that I have not been doing very much..." - A pastor attending the conference at Isinya, near Kajiado, Kenya, March 2009 |
| “I want to share with you a testimony of what happened that day; you remember praying shortly with me over the phone? Ten minutes after that prayer there was calm and immediately we got a letter of transfer of the officer in-charge who was actually the cause of the problems in this station. The testimony is we have an open door not only in Narok prison but also in all the prisons in Rift Valley. Before we introduced this programme, we were not able to sincerely fellowship but today we study, pray and fellowship” - Merus ole Sagana, prison chaplain, Narok, Kenya April 2009 |
| "I am doing well back here in Kenya despite the prolonged drought. I just wanted to complement you on the good work since I have seen a great change in my personal life and of other Christians around me since I joined the 'Rooted in Jesus' course" - Pastor Nahashon Ntusero, Kajiado, Kenya, April 2009 |
| Mozambique |
| "A historic week in the life of the church here" – Jan van Stelten, interpreter, diocese of Niassa, Mozambique, May 2006 |
| "I want to thank the Lord for the blessings I have received here. I have been moved from where I was. I think I will never be the same" - a priest, diocese of Niassa, Mozambique, May 2006 |
| "Thank you to all these brothers and sister and also the bishop for being inspired to call us to this place. This year we are able to gather together, priests and catechists, and the catechists have learned as much as we have. My heart is very much open now that I can see my direction. I am prepared to work for the Lord. We were trying to push others to work. But I am personally determined now that I myself will do the work. We will build God’s church from now on. It is not our church" - a priest, diocese of Niassa, May 2006 |
| "I have seen the Holy Spirit at work in my life. I have already seen him changing my life. When I was a pastor, for 23 years I was a drunkard. From 3 years ago I stopped drinking. From that time I felt God speaking to me. He wanted me to do something. This evening I am sure that something has happened in my life. I have heard him speaking to me. Now I know what it is that he wants me to do" - a priest, diocese of Niassa, Mozambique, May 2006 |
| Madagascar |
| "It was great to have you and the team. What a blessing for the Malagasy people and for us personally. We look forward to your return. May the Lord bless you in a wonderful way. With love and thanksgiving to God for you" - Revd Patsy McGregor, December 2011 |
| Malawi |
| "May I personally on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop take this opportunity to thank Dr. Alison for having worked so hard in making sure the seminar should not fail. I thank you for the wonderful dedication of the team you came with and their humbleness to sleep on humble rooms and beds. May the words that says, 'Blessed is the hand that giveth,' come true to you. Please, continue the good work" - Martin Mlaka, Evangelism Coordinator, diocese of S. Malawi, May 2007 |
| "I want to thank you for the wonderful team that you sent to this year's conference. It was great and marvellous and charismatic, you should have seen how exciting it was!" Martin Mlaka, Evangelism Coordinator, diocese of Southern Malawi, August 2008 |
| "I believe God is doing a new thing and that we will see things of God we never thought we would see within the Anglican church"- A Mother's Union leader, Blantyre, Malawi, August 2008 |
| Rwanda |
| “I thank God for what happened in my heart. I used to have great sadness, but now the old wounds have been healed. I used not to pray, but now the darkness has gone away and there is only light! I feel happy! Glory to God!” Lecardie, Diocese of Kigali, November 2015 |
| "One young man was attacked by robbers 3 months ago, he had been left with lasting pain in the left side of his head and unable to shake his head. Doctors told him it was irreparable. Last night in the ministry time he was healed, he is pain free and can now shake his head. He is a returning leader, he is running a rooted in jesus group. He also testified that since using RinJ he was inspired to pray with his brothers for his parents, his parents were in conflict, his father drank and intended to move in with a mistress. They had the parents pray together, they are now reconciled and the father has stopped drinking, he has put the land deeds intended for his mistress into the name of his wife's children" - Ven Kevin Roberts, team leader, Diocese of Kigali, July 2014 |
| "One man testified today that he is the youngest son of a witch doctor and so destined to inherit his powers. The young man did not want this, he felt burdened by his parents unrighteousness. He testified today that jesus has taken away that curse. he has received the h.s. We also had testimony of all the men in one dormitory praying together until 1am to find a lost phone, they donated their money to buy a new one, the phone was then found and the money is an additional blessing. We have seen God pouring out gentle love, releasing tears, reversing lies, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation and increasing hope for the future"- Ven Kevin Roberts, team leader, Diocese of Kigali, July 2014 |
| "A four day residential conference gives enough time to participants, not only to be equipped in leadership but to be spiritually refilled. The team we hosted was a good mixture of people from different age groups, very wonderful, spirit filled and prepared" - Revd Manasseh Tuyizere, Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Diocese of Kigali, September 2013 |
| “The conference participants learned about discipleship. They understood Jesus calls for the youth to share the word of God in small groups (Bible clubs) and the practicalities of spiritual multiplication. The youth enjoyed worship and learnt about the work of the Holy Spirit in the sessions held. The whole delegation was envisioned about the church vision for the youth, youth and children evangelism, and also how to use limited resources available. They accepted to spread the gospel to many others and form Bible Clubs in their churches” – Manasseh Tuyizere, Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Diocese of Kigali, July 2013 |
| South Africa |
| “I have been a priest for over 40 years and this is the most precious ministry I have received” - priest attending a RinJ Conference in the Dicoese of St Mark's, Polokwane, South Africa, September 2009 |
| "RinJ is all about what it means to be children of God – now and in the life to come. Too many Anglicans are not confident about their faith, but here we have a way to get to know God well, by studying his Word together. The RinJ Conference in September was very special, and I particularly enjoyed having lay leaders present, together with a good number of young people. They added an excitement and vibrancy to what we were doing. Encouraging reports have begun to come in from groups that have already started. God is meeting people and setting them ablaze with his love" - Bishop Martin Breytenbach, Diocese of St Mark's, S Africa, September 2010 |
| "This conference has helped me to know that God is love and therefore we must spread love to our fellow group members and the church and the community as well,” - Thandiwe Zwane, Diocese of Zululand, March 2012 |
| “When I came here I had anger within myself, but with this workshop it helped me settle down and have peace within myself because I am forgiven” - Misiwe Mhlaba, Diocese of Zululand, March 2012 |
| “I have gained a lot in Rooted in Jesus as I have already started with home cells … Now I am knowledgeable and I have a tool. God blessed me by giving us this workshop which is fruitful and rich. The Anglican Church is really well organised” - Simangele Biyela, Diocese of Zululand, March 2012 |
| “The teachings were illustrated or emphasised by demonstrations; It was helpful to have priests within the groups, sharing best experiences was motivating; facilitators were very helpful and they are full of the Holy Spirit; teaching and presentation to me on the Holy Spirit was the eye opener” - Sibongile, Diocese of Zululand, March 2012 |
| “If it may happen, I would have loved it if we could have this conference 3 times in a year because it is so helpful it changes people's mind life” - Mnguni Thondeka, Diocese of Zululand, March 2012 |
| “I was taken by the testimony of faith by Lauren. She prayed for someone who had a leg problem. That person was healed” - Fr Z. Myeni, Diocese of Zululand, March 2012 |
| “I received the Holy Spirit” - Zondo Phumizilem, Diocese of Zululand, March 2012 |
| "I just attended my first Rooted in Jesus training, and the experience was amazing. On the outset, Rooted in Jesus may look like a simple course in Christian discipleship; but upon a closer look, it is a powerful and meaningful course, equipping Africans in their faith in a context that is relative for them" - Nicole Corlew, Growing the Church, after a conference in the Diocese of George, March 2013 |
| "I found the training incredibly helpful - it has given me a new perspective on being a leader and a new confidence in Jesus and what the Holy Spirit can do if he is given free reign. I can see how R in J is a God-given tool for making and multiplying disciples" - Alison Bourne, Growing the Church, after a conference in the Diocese of George, March 2013 |
| "During the small group gathering when we looked at ‘God knows you’ studying Psalm 139, one lady broke down and shared how her son was sexually abused by a neighbour and that she had not had the courage to share it with other people. What a ministry opportunity and Holy Spirit just moved, comforting her and two members in the group discovered that they had the gift of healing, another, the gift of knowledge. Members felt that the confidentiality shared in the small groups are invaluable and trust was developed because of it. Halleluia." - Estelle Adams, from a conference at St Augustine of Hippo in Lotus River, November 2014 |
| South Sudan |
| "It was a blessed time to have the RIJ team during the conference. It was a very very refreshing and spirit-filled conference marked with a revived worship, praise and dance that renewed the lives of those who attended the conference including the RIJ team. The morning devotions and the evening sessions were great awakening moments where the participants came closer to Jesus Christ through repentance and prayer and were renewed in their faith and ministry. Number of participants shared their spiritual and physical problems as they came forward for prayer and healing especially at the evening sessions which were done in an open spece at the diocesan mission compound, and some were reconciled, healed, revived and gained strength for the Lord's ministry. The teaching sessions were dramatically marked with fun, illustrations, active participation and attentive listening. This enabled everybody to learn how to help others get rooted in Jesus. I appreciate the RIJ team for their skillful teaching." - Pianilee Samuel, Dean & RinJ Coordinator, Kajo Keji Diocese, Nov 2016 |
| ‘I had swollen legs and could not ride my bike. I asked for prayers and now I can run and cycle!’ - Francis, Diocese of Nzara, March 2013 |
| ‘I was empty and now the Holy Spirit is reminding me of all the praise songs I had forgotten’- Margaret, Diocese of Nzara, March 2013 |
| Tanzania |
| "A very powerful ministry time yesterday praying in threes - people were surprised to experience the Holy Spirit so powerfully when there was no shouting" - Mund Cargill Thompson, team leader, Zanzibar June 2013 |
| "I came here feeling weak and discouraged; I now feel empowered and encouraged"; "The teaching you have given on the Holy Spirit has been very important, as this has not been much emphasized in our ministry";"I was hesitant about using groups, but the seminar has given me the courage to do it" – feedback from evangelists, Diocese of Kibaya, Tanzania |
| " I have been blessed in the worship time; as we sang I felt my heart beating, and found myself singing with a joy in my heart which I had never previously experienced in my whole life" – an evangelist, Diocese of Kibaya, August 2003 |
| "The Rooted in Jesus preaching which you did in Masasi Diocese was marvellous if not wonderful, we thank God for the vision which you have for coming to us, as apostle Paul was called "Come to us." It makes me always to be unhappy for missing that opportunity because my fellow clergy say that they have enjoyed the eternal bread which always they did not find in their ministry. Come again to Macedonia to strengthen your brothers and sisters in Christ, hopefully to come again next year" - Revd Emanuel Chilumba, Diocese of Masasi, Tanzania, December 2009 |
| “This seminar is different from other seminars. This is not a normal seminar” – participant at an initial RinJ training conference in Musoma, Diocese of Mara, Tanzania, March 2011 |
| "This one, he says when you prayed for him his ears were blocked and his legs paralysed, and he could feel a strange sensation in his body. The same thing happened to me; I thought I was going to fall over!" Revd Gaspar Kassanda, Diocese of Mara, Tanzania, March 2011 |
| Uganda |
| “Thank you so much for all you did in leading teaching ministry. You and the team both led and spoke with a great sensitivity and openness and listened and heard people’s questions. Mike, Ben, Captain James and Lucy in the conference in Karamoja were loving, gentle in presentation, encouraging in message and clear in teaching. They allowed the Holy Spirit to use them in a powerful way.” Revd John Onyao, Diocese of Karamoja, Nov 2017 |
| "I am very grateful for the RinJ training that took place in our diocese, the training was another eye opener to the Clergy and lay leaders that attended training. The participants enjoyed that time of speaking in the Spirit of God and the different ways the Spirit of God can speak to people. What joy that some of the participants hard the experience of the Holy Spirit's touch." John Onyao, Dioceese of Karamoja, March 2016 |
| "Since that training, 2 key things have stayed with me strongly - two of the principles of the Rooted in Jesus course; reliance on the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit as we minister to the children! Up to today, it keeps ringing in my heart and I have been praying that God avails me opportunity to share with others. I will keep in touch and would love to be involved in future" - Editar Kamusiime, RinJ Junior Conference, Entebbe, Uganda, September 2010 |
| "I again thank God for you because your coming to us has been a blessing to our church in a way that Christians' spiritual life styles have been revived through that method of “Get rooted in Christ”. Since your visit to us, some Christians have strengthened their relationships with their God through group discussions like Rwensande, Kyabarungira and Kirabaho churches. It’s a new method of preaching and teaching through which many people are fished, and commit their lives to Christ" - Ven Japheth Rvmbathonda, Archdeacon, Rwensande archdeaconry, Diocese of S Rwenzori, Uganda |
| "I was not expecting to be a disciple who will make more disciples. I’ve been helped by the teaching on love shown and on unity and by the training on how we need to help others to grow roots in Jesus" - A participant at the conference in Kisoro, Uganda, July 2009 |
| "It was so wonderful to meet you here in Kumi. On behalf of Kumi Diocese, the Bishop of Kumi diocese and on my own behalf, I sincerely thank you for the great work done in planting 'Rooted in Christ' into our Diocese. It is a timely programme for us as we consolidate in Evangelism to strengthen the Diocese, as it is only five years on the road. Your students in the three workshops were very happy, and I am getting reports that they are ready to begin forming groups in their respective churches" - Canon Charles Okwi, Diocesan Secretary, Diocese of Kumi, Uganda |
| Zambia |
| "The model you have shown us of making disciples in small groups is one which makes ministry accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t have the confidence for it" – Fr Faustino Mwansa, diocesan administrator, Diocese of Luapula, Zambia, August 2005 |
| 'The thing that is different about this course is that now we can have a real relationship with God, instead of just learning about him'; 'it's not just about knowledge, it's about our lives' - lay leaders attending a Rooted in Jesus conference in Chipata, Eastern Zambia |
| "I hope all is well and that the Lord God is blessing your ministries mightily. It was nice meeting you and sharing the ministry with your team which ministered to us in a glorious way. My heart melts to see and reflect on the experience I had at Musonda Falls. I was blessed and refreshed spiritually and mentally" - Ven Cornelius Chalwe, Luapula diocese, Zambia, August 2005 |
| "Thank you priest for changing our lives" - a woman participant, St Barnabas Church, Chipata, Eastern Zambia, June 2008 |
| "On behalf of all the participants I wish to thank you for giving us such excellent spiritual food, so that our roots, fully anchored in Christ Jesus, will never wilt, but be ever drawing water to sustain us throughout our Christian journey. Rest assured that we shall preciously guard against losing the knowledge and new pastoral skills for church growth which we have obtained form here. With the help of the Holy Spirit we will deliver to the highest capacity of our strength, joyously, as this course has tremendously uplifted our spiritual wellbeing'. May the Able God profoundly bless you!" - Fr Elias Mwale, Petauke, Diocese of Eastern Zambia, June 2008 |
| "Ronald came for prayer saying he felt he had taken in some evil spirit who made him depressed and gave him pain around his waist and groin. He had scars on his back made by a witchdoctor when he was very young. He had been told he too would become a witchdoctor. He'd been beaten by his stepfather, rejected by his uncle and by his own mother. As soon as we stood to pray he was immediately very lame, experiencing pain in his left foot. As we began to pray, the pain moved up his leg and returned to the waist/stomach area. On commanding the spirit to reveal itself and to leave in Christ’s Name, he fell over calmly, flat on his back. Still some discomfort on restanding. We prayed again, for the demon to leave through the scars on his back. Suddenly his pain was completely gone. He said later that day and the following, 'I am a free man'. Another conference participant prayed for healing of the chest pain he had had since being kicked by a cow. The pain left him straight away. He said he had been praying for 15 years, but that until now he had never experienced the Holy Spirit. Now he has, and (to great laughter) says that now he feels so good that if his wife came in and asked him to go to bed, he would rather stay in the chapel!!" - Revd John Beckett, team member, Diocese of Lusaka, April 2010 |
| "Your team ministered to us in a glorious way. My heart melts to see and reflect on the experience I had at Musonda Falls. I was blessed and refreshed spiritually and mentally" - Ven Cornelius Chalwe, Luapula diocese, Zambia, August 2005 |