Presenting the Pastor Rarijason

Sandratana Rarijason grew up in Madagascar. His family went to church but it was during high school, thanks to the work of InterVarsity, that Sandratana began to trust God through Jesus Christ. During his university studies, he was encouraged to study for the pastoral ministry. He spent the next 16 years in the Central African Republic, first as a seminary student and two years as pastor of the Reformed Church of Bangui. He then became administrative assistant to the president of the theological seminary and eventually taught Homiletics.

At this point, he was encouraged to go to France to get a doctorate in theology. Now married to Anne, with three girls in tow, they moved to Aix-en-Provence where Sandratana began doctoral studies. He received a DEA, which is a step towards a PhD, but a lack of funds prevented his continued studies. He took a pastoral postition in Aix and eight years ago he became pastor in a small town in the Cévennes Mountains called Branoux where he also directs a retreat center.

Sandratana will continue to serve the Branoux church this school year, but he plans to visit the Montauban church one long weekend most months. This will be a demanding schedule, but Sandratana's pastoral heart pushes him to make this effort for the sake of the "flock" in Montauban, who will otherwise be without a pastor this year.

Please pray with us for the Pastor Rarijason. Pray for strength and wisdom as he serves two churches this year. Pray for his family to adapt to these changes and the move next year.

Please be in prayer for the Montauban church as well. Pray for unity in Christ and a love for all the saints in the church to grow during this transition year. Ask that God give wisdom, discernment and courage to the church council as they lead in the absence of a full-time pastor.

July 2009 Prayer Letter

Montauban Church calls a new pastor

Thank you for your prayers these last months as the Montauban church searched and interviewed pastoral candidates. The church issued a call to Sandratana Rarijason a few weeks ago and he has accepted. He will begin officially in Montauban in September 2010 although he has offered to make several visits during this coming school year to become better acquainted with the church and city.

Thank God with us for this answer to prayer. Pastor Rarijason has a pastor's heart and is a gifted preacher. Both of these qualities were high priorities for the church and we are grateful that God has provided us with such a pastor.

Please continue to pray for the church in this coming year without a pastor on-site. The church has dealt with some difficult issues over the last year and it will be a challenge to keep focused on essentials and united without a godly shepherd keeping close watch. May our Heavenly Shepherd protect and care for this little flock. May He give wisdom, strength and patience to the church council as they lead.

Pray for our Pastoral Search

The Montauban church has met three pastoral candidates and heard them preach over the last month. We are encouraged by the quality of these men and think the church council has an opportunity to choose a pastor that will be a good fit for the church.

Please be in prayer with us that God would grant wisdom and discernment to the council as they discuss and come to a decision about these pastoral candidates. You could pray, too, for the three men, that God would be calling one of them to this job. Pray that He would prepare him to face the challenges of leading and caring for this church. Thanks!

May 2009 Prayer Letter

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March 2009 Prayer Letter

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60 learn about Jean Calvin's life and doctrine

This Thursday, the "Theological and Biblical Intersection" assembled 60 pastors and laypeople from around Southwest France at our church in Montauban. Paul Wells, Professor of NT at the Aix-en-Provence Seminary, helped us to better understand Jean Calvin's theology, especially predestination. Eric Denimal, pastor and author, gave us a glimpse into Calvin's life and influences. A convivial lunch with speakers and participants gave us the opportunity to discuss and reflect on what we were hearing.

This was our second "Intersection". We plan to continue organizing this event every year. This kind of solid biblical teaching and interaction is sorely needed here and throughout France. I think the day was a real encouragement for all who came.