Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. Much of the population lives in poverty after their land was destroyed through over-use of farming and forestry. Though there is freedom of religion, the old Malagasy folk religion remains pervasive. The four mainline churches have great influence but the government and traditional churches are suspicious of the emergence of younger, more charismatic groups.
The Protestant Churches of the past have had a great history of faith despite persecution and harassment by the French colonial authorities. The church grew from 5,000 in 1861 to one million in 1900 – in just 40 years! There have been several other significant revivals in 1895, 1941, 1948 and during the 1980’s. Pray that this movement will continue, that there will be unity among the Christian churches, and that more Christian resources will be made available for the youth.
