What if these stones could talk? The FJKM Ambohimarina Atsinanana could tell tales of faith. It could share stories of Madagascar’s vibrant Christian community.
This church stands as a testament to the enduring power of belief. The FJKM Ambohimarina Atsinanana is more than just a building. It is a symbol of hope. It represents community. It embodies the spirit of the Malagasy people.
The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar or FJKM has a rich history. It began in 1968. Three churches joined together. They were the London Missionary Society. They were the Paris Missionary Society. They were the Friends Foreign Mission Association.
The London Missionary Society first arrived in 1818. They landed in Madagascar. Missionaries opened schools between 1820 and 1835. The first church was founded. The entire Bible was translated into Malagasy.
Missionaries were not welcome for some time. This lasted until 1861. Malagasy Christians faced severe persecution. A more liberal reign began in 1862. LMS missionaries were allowed back in Antananarivo. They found a very active local church.
A small group of Quakers arrived in 1864. They worked with the LMS. They formed a Friends Church. This was southwest of the capital. The Society of Evangelical Missions from Paris arrived later. This happened after the French conquered the country in 1896. Malagasy church leaders completed union negotiations. Missionaries had started them.
The FJKM is the largest Protestant church in Madagascar. It follows a Presbyterian-Synodal system. Congregations form regional synods. These synods meet yearly. The national synod meets every four years. The national council has 80 members. It meets twice a year. The church’s offices are in Antananarivo.
The FJKM has theological colleges and a theological faculty. It runs many schools. There are 552 schools. The church prioritizes evangelism. It focuses on Christian education. It emphasizes development in leader training. This helps fight poverty.
The church has departments and branches. It has units and an orphanage. There is a printing house. It has a development department. Permanent committees handle finances. They deal with national affairs. They combat injustice and corruption. They fight HIV and AIDS. The church witnesses to Jesus Christ. It does so within the national context.
The FJKM works with the Lutheran Church. Their partnership began in 1913. They are part of the Federation of Protestant Churches. The FJKM founded the Christian Council in 1980. This was with the Roman Catholic Church. It was also with the Anglican and Lutheran churches. This shows Christian solidarity. It shows integrity in the country.
The FJKM actively helps rebuild Madagascar. It works with partners. These include Cevaa and CWM. They fight poverty. They boost education. They combat corruption. They defend human rights.
The church runs a center for abandoned children. It has many schools. A development service creates village cooperatives. It establishes village granaries. The FJKM has social centers. These centers focus on home economics and crafts. It runs dispensaries. There are 80 dispensaries. The radio station in the capital is expanding. It will reach other provinces.
Here at FJKM Ambohimarina Atsinanana you can feel this history. You can sense the dedication. You can witness the unwavering faith of the community.