Madagascar: The Power of Follow-up
“What’s literally changed my life is that the student leaders cared for me after the conference. They took my contact details and focused on following me up for more than a year. They encouraged me to start living out the decision I made.
“For me, a nominal Christian who was living a morally compromised life, this was the game–changer.”
Meeting Christ
Egilson grew up in a Christian family, went to church, and knew the Bible. But he’d never met Christ.
“There was no real difference between the way I and non-believers lived,” he recalls.
That all changed at university when a classmate invited him to a Bible study group, part of UGBM, the IFES movement in Madagascar.
“I wanted to show her I knew the Bible even though my life was far from reflecting it. It turned out that the invitation opened the door for me to meet Jesus.”
It was at a UGBM conference that God spoke to Egilson through the book of Job.
“When I saw that Job was able to be faithful to God despite his circumstances, I realised that I was just making excuses to justify my godless lifestyle. I realised I was wrong and decided to really open my heart to know God.”
When he arrived home, Egilson closed the door, knelt beside his bed, and cried out to Jesus, asking for forgiveness.
“At that moment, I felt the unconditional love of my Lord and Saviour.”
But could his life be changed?
Remaining in Christ
Right after the conference, Egilson received a text message. It was from a student leader who’d been assigned to follow him up.
She met with him, guided him through a personal Bible reading plan, and encouraged him to regularly attend the small group studies. He was even coached to lead one.
“They made me feel like I was part of a big family. As I continued to attend the meetings, I realised I was growing significantly in my faith. My life began to radically change.”
Egilson remembers how one of them pointed him to Jesus’ words in John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
“That verse became my compass. I learned to find strength, to thrive and overcome many personal challenges. Throughout this journey, I’ve really grown. I’ve been able to finish my degree in environmental agriculture and technology and become a truly grounded follower of Christ.”
Pray
- Give thanks for this UGBM group at Mahajanga University in Antananarivo – especially for student leaders Zizia, Jessy, and Louise, who faithfully followed up Egilson after he turned to Christ.
- Egilson says that many students find themselves in the same kind of situation he was in. He asks us to pray that the UGBM group, “will keep the spiritual atmosphere at the university warm so that all will find a way to Christ amid the challenges they face.”
- Pray that doors for UGBM ministry will remain open on Madagascar’s campuses as some groups have recently had restrictions placed on their activities.
- Ask that Egilson will find a scholarship for postgraduate study so he can fulfil his longing to contribute to the country’s development. Pray that all UGBM graduates will bring Christ’s influence to churches, local communities, and nation.