An introduction to Rooted in Jesus...

 

"Go, and make disciples ... who will teach others also"
Matthew 28.19 & 2 Timothy 2.2

Rooted in Jesus is a group course in Christian discipleship written for use in Africa. It is the only material of its kind written especially for the use of ordinary African Christians, rather than translated from material developed for the West - where people face different problems and challenges in their Christian lives.

Now in use in many African countries, Rooted in Jesus was originally created as part of the link relationship between Holy Trinity in Leicester diocese and the Diocese of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, at the request of Stanley Hotay, then diocesan missioner and now the bishop. Written by a team of clergy and teachers from Leicester with experience of working in Africa, Rooted in Jesus is edited and directed by Alison Morgan, and published and supported by ReSource. It is is normally introduced to a whole diocese or area, at the invitation of the bishop or denominational leader, by a team of ministers from the UK and Africa. Because Rooted in Jesus is as much a method as a course, this has proved the best way of establishing it effectively. Originally piloted in 2002 in Tanzania, it is currently in use in 48 dioceses or denominations in 14 African countries, where it has been translated into 35 languages. We estimate there are over 70,000 people meeting in Rooted in Jesus groups in these countries, and the number is growing all the time.

Groups are led by pastors, evangelists or catechists, and newly commissioned lay leaders, both men and women. Many of these groups have seen people becoming Christians, experiencing answered prayer, deepening their commitment to one another and to the church, and living changed lives. There is also now a Rooted in Jesus Junior course for use in Sunday Schools.

Rooted in Jesus is a practical and interactive course. The emphasis is on the active participation of each member of the group through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, so that together they may be built up into the body of Christ and equipped for ministry to others. The material is absorbed and practised orally, and only the group leader needs to be able to read and write. Each lesson is summarised by a memory verse, and members receive certificates when the group completes each of the four books of the course.

"I have no doubt that God has commissioned and anointed this course for Africa in much the same way
as he is using Alpha in more urban and 'western' settings. We are already starting to see remarkable
things in this Diocese as people and congregations are set on fire with the love of Jesus" -
Bishop Martin Breytenbach, Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist, South Africa.

Rooted in Jesus is used for: Small discipleship groups Confirmation classes Training of catechists, evangelists and lay leaders Sunday school and Youth groups Evangelism and church planting Follow-up for evangelistic crusades and Jesus film showings

Immediate aims: To equip leaders and potential leaders with teaching, inspiration and a living encounter with the Holy Spirit To provide them with Rooted in Jesus as a tool with which they can teach others To help build a local programme of support in each diocese for the new group leaders To keep in touch so that we can offer future support where needed

Long term aims: Changed lives, changed churches, changed communities Ordinary lay Christians equipped for ministry as disciples of Jesus Key people raised and trained for future leadership within the Church Political and social stability in a developing but suffering continent, through the growth of informed and committed Christian discipleship

"If the church would revisit the biblical teachings on discipleship it would revive its life and many of its problems would be rectified. Note that simply teaching the Word is not all there is to discipleship. There must be personal involvement, practical training, practical experience and positive role modelling" -
Revd Gaspar Kassanda, Diocese of Mara, Tanzania, in his dissertation on the crisis of discipleship in East Africa, George Whitfield College, November 2005

More information about Rooted in Jesus can be found by following the links to the left. A basic information leaflet can be found on the downloads page. To contact us, to order materials or to join our team of intercessors please email the Rooted in Jesus administrator, Frances Hazell. Intercession for Rooted in Jesus teams is coordinated by Clemency Fox.

The printing and support costs of Rooted in Jesus are met through a dedicated Rooted in Jesus account. Rooted in Jesus is a project of the Anglican charity ReSource. To support Rooted in Jesus please use the online donation facility (green button in left margin) or visit the Support page.