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.
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