Objective
The objective of the STE is to encourage participating member churches to reconsider mission and evangelism together, and to reflect on the meaning of transformative evangelism.
This was achieved through participatory workshops, panel discussions, and contextual Bible studies.
Transformative evangelism challenges the status quo; it is profound in that it meets individuals and communities where they are, as illustrated by the example of the Gerasenes, where Jesus went to reach out to a region and an individual that no one else would. It is about going beyond borders and leaving one’s comfort zone, recognising that everyone is made in the image of God and deserves to be loved and cared for. It is about holistic restoration in caring for the whole person.
Sessions and themes
1. Contextual Bible Studies
Rev. Alice Fabian-Williams led three sessions of
Contextual Bible Studies on the theme ’What will
history say of us?’. Using the stories of the demon-
possessed man, the healing of the sick woman and
Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5; warnings against teachers
of the law; the destruction of the temple; and signs of
the end of times in Mark 12 and 13; and a study of
the Book of Amos based on Richard Rohr’s Tears of Things, she encouraged participants to consider the legacy we will leave as individuals and as a church. This reflection also shed light on how each participant and their member churches can contribute to dismantling the system, exposing evil, and standing with and for the weak.
Personally, those studies prompted me to reflect on my own approach to studying the Bible and how to make it relevant not only to others and the church, but most importantly to myself. I became so engaged that I decided to stop being neutral and to engage with my study of the Word and make small but significant differences in around me. This study encouraged me to start a Bible study group in my parish this coming year and help people engage more with the Word, encouraging them not to be afraid to ask questions. Together, we can allow the Lord and the Spirit to reveal the truth that sets us free.
2. Panel discussions
We held several panel discussions and presentations, which gave each participant the opportunity to engage with a variety of topics in their own context.
a. Mission in the context of empire
We explored how we, as a Church, are called to identify the empires in our context and whetherwe, like the Pharisees and leaders of the people, can become part of the empire through the way we engage. During this session, we shared testimonies about how mission is contextualised and made relevant in different regions, and how to decolonise the church by bringing Afrocentric or Asian theology to break existing cyclical behaviours and systemic cultural mindset build from colonisation. A Kenyan testimony was presented on engaging women in contextual Bible study to empower them and lead them towards participatory theology and help them break the cycle. Mission programmes should empower their beneficiaries by being economically viable, ecologically sound, and sustainable. The church should stop maintaining the status quo and start engaging with society and communities to become relevant in context. Christ is always relevant, and the church should follow suit.
b. Mission and evangelism
It was acknowledged that the term ’evangelism’ can be intimidating, and that it is more beneficial to discuss the small, deliberate actions and choices that have the power to transform lives. The UK’s experience of changing its church culture and system to better serve its congregation and establish proper governance structures was presented. Following the pandemic, more people started engaging with and joining the Church. A sound church culture helps members to identify with it and feel safe and welcome. Sound leadership, action teams, small groups and control systems are also important. Intentional growth involves changing the status quo, which would lead to resistance that the church needs to prepare for.
c. Transformative Ecumenism
Participants were reminded of the importance of ecumenism, as a platform through which the values and identity of each member church can be mutually reinforced, and unity can be seen as a mandate for mission and a sign to the world. Through ecumenism, training can be carried out synergistically, as well as the sharing of resources and initiatives. Ecumenism can create a common sound that makes a difference. Examples of ecumenical leadership include the protection of migrants with testimonies from Colombia and the platform of churches created in Sweden to coordinate human resources, legal matters, activities, best practices and pastoral care, among other things.
d. Mission and Discipleship
CWM promotes radical discipleship. Through testimonies, it became clear that all member churches need to be intentional about discipleship. All churches were invited to identify their Marks of Mission and develop robust discipleship tools that would be relevant, participatory and engaging in their respective contexts.
3. Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB)
During the five days, Mrs Katherine Cash and Kristina Patring, members of the Swedish Council, introduced us to the theme of freedom of religion and belief (FORB). They explained that we are all concerned with FORB, as it forms part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. For a flourishing community, every individual should be free to choose their religion and what they believe. FORB is a training platform and community engaged in shifting attitudes, enhancing knowledge and skills, and encouraging actions that build engagement; it is the co-creation of a new community based on listening and respect. At creation, God gave us free will, so religion and beliefs should never be forced or coerced on anyone. People should be free to think, believe, belong, question and refute. Every church or religious body that is institutionally autonomous has rights and responsibilities, and FORB should be one of their institutional tools. The limitations and violations of FORB were introduced as well as the way it can be implemented within different communities. This gave us an understanding of the context of
each member church. In my group, there were participants from India and Nauru, and hearing their testimonies made me realise how lucky we are in Mauritius to be able to practise our faith without fear of persecution.
4. Immersion outreach
We took part in an immersion programme with
Sorya, a local Kenyan NGO that empowers teenage
mothers to become independent and reintegrate
into society. The girls’ stories were heart-warming,
and Soraya’s impact on the lives of those in the
outskirts we visited was tangible.
Networking
This conference also provided a valuable networking opportunity with various CWM member churches.
I met with Ps Triomphe Randriamisaina from the FJKM, the newly appointed heads of Training
and Evangelism, with whom I discussed the possibility of providing theological training in Madagascar. I also emphasised the importance of centralising communication between church
leaders to strengthen our partnership and reach. We discussed the possibility of a small
delegation visiting Madagascar to consolidate the partnership.
I also spoke to Rev. Song Hee Chai from South Korea, who explained how the Presbyterian Church of South Korea carries out its missionary work. She has recently been appointed head of mission and evangelism.
Rev. Graham McGeoch (CWM Mission Secretary in Discipleship and Mission) invited me to take part in future discussions in line with FORB, as CWM wants to start implementing and integrating it into its mission strategy.
Recommendations and action plans
From the different discussion I was involved in, I want to humbly share the following
recommendations:
• To intentionally and systematically identify our mission programmes, both large and small. This involves identifying the needs in the different regions in order to provide holistic restoration and support.
• The youth department recently wrote a project called Sa Nou Avenir, which aims to empower Mauritian youth for holistic health, resilience, and leadership by creating youth champions. One way to achieve this is through ecumenism. The youth department could coordinate an action plan to contact church leaders and initiate an ecumenical youth consultation on the topic, highlighting the importance and impact of collaboration.
• To review the strategic plan and visit each parish with the project committee to help them identify the needs of the surrounding communities and develop a concrete mission programme for the coming years.
• It is also important to translate the strategic plan in simple words so that it is understandable to everyone in the church, encouraging ownership of the plans, activities, vision and mission.
• Transformative evangelism and mission is also about being a prophetic voice, the Presbyterian Church of Mauritius should be willing to speak for the people and speak against some systems that are hindering life flourishing.
• At church level, I would like to start training animators in Contextual Bible Study and develop relevant Bible Study materials for the Presbyterian Church of Mauritius. These sessions have reignited my love for the Word of God, as well as my passion for teaching it to others and inspiring a love for it in them.
• To initiate members of the church into FORB, starting with members of the PC and parish councils. Then to engage with the theme with other local partner churches and Christian institutions, then introduce the subject to the council of religion.
Gratitude
I would like to thank the church for the opportunity to take part in this workshop. It was edifying, eye-opening and transformative. After my Discipleship Training School (DTS) some years back, I felt called to mission work, and I wanted to continue my studies in mission and church planting. This session has reignited this desire to complete my theological studies and return to missionary work, evangelism and church planting. God leading it could be the nextsteps for me personally.
Conclusion
The School of Transformative Evangelism (STE) provided an invaluable platform for reflection, collaboration, and the strengthening of mission strategies across diverse contexts.
The sessions highlighted the need for churches to embrace transformative evangelism that
challenges the status quo, empowers communities, and promotes holistic restoration. Key themes reinforced the importance of intentional, participatory, and prophetic engagement.
Moving forward, the Presbyterian Church of Mauritius is encouraged to integrate these insights into its strategic planning, ensuring that mission programmes are contextually relevant, ecumenically coordinated, and rooted in both theological depth and social responsibility. By adopting transformative evangelism as a guiding principle, the church can strengthen its prophetic voice, foster unity, and contribute meaningfully to the flourishing of communities locally and globally.
Miss Rindra Razanatovo
Administrative Secretary