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!
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.
Mr Petrus’ Miracle
From Paralyzed to Preaching
Mr. Petrus had been bedridden and paralyzed for nearly a year. His family propped him between his wife and son on a scooter, reasoning that even if he fell, it wouldn’t matter; he was already lame. But God had other plans. He wept with gratitude as Jesus completely restored him! All paralysis left his body. On Sunday, he arrived at church, Bible in hand, testifying to what Jesus had done.
Why MiracleS Matter
Jesus said, ‘If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.’ (Matthew 11:23).
Miracles can arrest a person’s attention and point them to spiritual realities. Paul declared that through signs and wonders, he made the Gentiles obedient (Romans 15:18). Miracles are not optional—they are vital to the Gospel.
In Acts, key miracles opened entire regions to the message of Christ. In chapter 3, a crippled beggar healed at the Gate Beautiful became undeniable proof of Jesus’ power. Thousands believed because of this miracle.
In Acts 9, Aeneas—bedridden for eight years—was healed, and two villages turned to Christ. These miracles were strategic. Perhaps God has a key miracle ready in your community, set to stir the hearts of many. These signs and wonders point to one person: Jesus. The Gospel of Mark ends with the disciples preaching everywhere, and the Lord confirming their message with signs. The miracles validated the message, not the messengers.
In Joppa, a woman named Dorcas was raised from the dead. Her resurrection shook her city. People knew her. Her life and her death mattered. Her return testified to Christ’s power over death. Miracles are not for entertainment. They reveal the Kingdom of God and the defeat of darkness. In many regions, people are bound by superstition and demonic fear. If the Gospel we preach does not demonstrate superior power, they won’t believe. But our message is clear:
Christ has conquered death. The crucified One is alive. And He is the same—yesterday, today, and forever.
There is no power in a dead man’s name!