A First for Fianarantsoa
Fall 2023
Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles,
the Gospel breaks through in Fianarantsoa!
HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH IN MADAGASCAR!
‘This is historical, this has never happened in our city before. We witnessed many miracles and thousands responding. Our faith has been enlarged and today we pastors have come together in unity like never before. We now see what we can accomplish by working together.’
Pastor Mampionone, Chairman of Friendship Festival.
Together with your financial generosity and prayer we have seen the Gospel advance in a remarkable manner. Thank you!
We strategically targeted the city of Fianarantsoa as it has never had a city-wide Gospel outreach. As this is not a tourist destination there was no commercial flights. Thankfully, Missionary Aviation Fellowship agreed to fly our team. Upon arrival we received a royal welcome in traditional fashion. As we paraded through the streets and marketplaces, we passed out thousands of invitations to the curious onlookers.
Arriving at the hotel we were greeted by a large press conference. There had never been an event of this size and nature in this city’s history. There was great interest and hunger in this region for the message of Jesus Christ.
WITH NO VENUE, GOD SUPERNATURALLY GAVE US THE CENTRAL STADIUM!
Although we received a very warm welcome, we had a serious obstacle threatening our outreach.
Two days prior we discovered we had lost our venue! Elections were just a few months away, and the government decided to make good on a previous election promise to build a central marketplace on our legally secured field.
We had invested heavily into advertising, 25,000 posters, 100,000 handbills, radio, television, billboards, and banners. Not only did we have no place to meet, all advertising was now incorrect! Even if we were to secure a venue, how would people find us?
There was only one other venue in the city, the Central Stadium! However, there were soccer matches already scheduled conflicting with our dates. It looked very bleak for our Gospel Festival. It seemed all the powers of darkness sought to stop us!
Within hours of arrival we met with government leaders, the mayor, and the director of sports. By the favour of God, they decided to cancel all sporting events, and give us the stadium for $200! The only condition was that we could not use the field until the final night. We rejoiced knowing that
Jesus had opened a door for us!
With no correct advertising we weren’t sure if anyone would know where to find us. To my surprise a few thousand people filled the stands across from our platform on our opening night.
We were on one side of the stadium, and the people sat way on the other side across the field. In between us was a vast empty soccer field. To a communicator this was not ideal. Personally, I like to be much closer as I minister to see how the people are receiving the word. They were so far that I could not gauge whether people were grasping the message. Relying simply on the fact that God watches over His word to bring it to pass, I proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus! The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation! We don’t pray the power down, or work it up, we speak it out! It is God’s power to save, heal, deliver, and lift broken humanity!
After a great response to receive Christ, We began to minister to those in need of healing. The track in front of the stands was filled with the sick who could not access the stairs to the seating area. As the lame began to receive from Jesus, they would hoist their canes and crutches in the air, making their way to the platform to testify of what Jesus had done for them. The seated crowd became front row eyewitnesses of the miracles as they happened! As people received healing, they began to cross the empty field and make their way to the platform. Our vast field became center stage where Jesus worked wonders before a spellbound mass of people!
Nirene healed from her knee pain.
Miracles in Madagascar!
Each night grew in size and anticipation for the message of Jesus. We received permission to use the field for our final night. Thousands had filled the stadium as word of mouth spread of what Jesus was doing! The response for salvation was absolutely beyond our expectation!
The atmosphere became charged with faith and expectancy! Many lame and paralyzed began walking. One man, Benwa, had been paralyzed from the waist down. His wife and mother brought him by taxi. He was one of the first to testify of receiving a miracle from Jesus! His wife was elated as Benwa marched back and forth on the platform. The first night there were so many healed that we ran out of time to hear all the stories.
Lucy’s arm healed after 10 years of immobility.
There were so many wonderful undeniable miracles each night!
Large tumors vanished, deaf ears opened, and many with paralysis were healed!
In fact, it was estimated between 30-40 people testified of healing from stroke! Never in all my ministry had I seen so many healed of paralysis in a Gospel Festival. When Raxavee came to the festival, he had been deaf since childhood, and Jesus opened his ears!
The Madagascans love to dance! Each night several people would express their gratefulness to Jesus by breaking out in joyful dance! One dear lady had a grapefruit size tumor on the right side of her head, and was paralyzed on her left side, effecting her arm and leg. Not only did the tumor completely vanish, but she also received complete mobility! After she testified, she looked at me with a big smile and asked, ‘Can we dance now?’ The crowd loved it!
Ralph had been completely deaf in both ears since he was three years old, and God healed him as well! Here he repeats the words spoken by my interpreter who is standing behind him.
This gentleman was brought by his daughter to the Festival. Mr. Naina hobbled to the stadium on crutches. We have it on video. During the ministry time I saw this man dancing with his crutches in the air. He was so caught up in elation it was difficult to get him to the platform. As Mr. Naina continued to dance before the thousands present, all he could say was, ‘Jesus is so wonderful! Isn’t He so wonderful!’
Raxavee was healed from deafness.
Another historical first
Over 120 faith and political leaders attended the Friendship Dinner hosted by the partners of Mission 3:16.
Mayor Nicolas Rakotondrazafy expressed his utter delight to see traditionalists, Muslims, Catholics, Christian, and political leaders all gathered for a Friendship Dinner. “We have tried for years to see something like this happen! ” he commented. The night started with a nervous uncertainty in the air. There were so many different religions and competing ideas represented in the room. After hearing from a representative from each religion, I began to share the universal Jesus! Ours is a message of good news of great joy for ALL people! I had not come to compare religions, or to push one down while elevating another. I had come to present Jesus for all people without prejudice or discrimination! Jesus is for traditionalists, Muslims, Catholics, Shaman, Christians and skeptics alike! We continued to eat together and pose for photos. Around the table great discussions were had and understanding and respect flourished without compromise.
The local Christian leaders were greatly encouraged and inspired. They saw a model were they could reach people of influence with the Message.
Reaching Political and Faith Leaders
Pastoring for over 24 years I value the opportunity to encourage and equip pastors. Alongside the Friendship Dinner and Friendship Festival we greatly desired to invest into as many pastors as possible. We had the cooperation of 25 churches in Fianarantsoa.
There had never been an interdenominational leadership conference before.
We set as a faith goal to reach 500 pastors and leaders. We scoured the region to invite as many pastors as we could find. Never before had we encountered such great hunger for teaching. When we arrived to the venue for day one of the conference 1,000 pastors and leaders were there to meet us. It was costly to cover the transportation to the seminar for all these leaders, but we believe the Christ-centric revelation of the Gospel Revolution Seminar is vital to seeing powerful churches emerge in this country.
Every morning pastors prayed, took notes, and asked questions. Rarely, had I experienced such hunger. The goal of the Gospel Revolution Seminar is to present the all sufficiency of Jesus’ passion, their completeness in Christ, and then to commission them to take the message back into their world!
During the commissioning hundreds of leaders ran to the front in full surrender to the call.
It was a holy moment of commitment and consecration as the Spirit did a deep work. No one wanted to leave, as the Spirit was ‘heavy’ on all these incredible men and women!
Thank you partner, your generosity made it possible to bring these pastors from remote regions to not only be equipped and encouraged but also to witness the Gospel in action in the power of the Spirit!
You Can Make A Difference
We have very few partners in this fledgling ministry. Your partnership is greatly desired and valued. Your investment into this ministry bears fruit. It is our commitment to go to the Gospel neglected regions of our world. Yes, we face greater risks, challenges, and obstacles, but we are convinced every person should have the right to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ at least once!
As you have read this report, I trust your heart is stirred to stand with us in prayer and financial partnership. We cannot do this without you. Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak to your heart. No gift is too large or small. Every dollar matters in this great undertaking with the Gospel!
- Pastor Anthony Greco