Missionary Profile – Lucky and Maureen Mogakane

Back in 2017 while I was pursuing my first theological degree, I learned that Malagasy pastors needed theological training.  These pastors were not just serving in their communities, but were planting churches among the unreached of Madagascar. This seemed like the best and most strategic place to use the knowledge and skills I was acquiring to equip those pastors, who could not afford formal theological training.

When my wife and I left for the mission field in 2024, we knew we would be equipping and strengthening four of these church plants by offering informal theological training.  A new church plant was started in a nearby village, within one month of our arrival. When we asked how it would be pastored, we were told the plan was that the pastor at another church plant at Ambatozavavy would travel every Sunday to the new church plant, and then return for the service in his church, until a young man could be trained to take over.

Unfortunately, this arrangement was logistically not viable and the old church plant in Ambatozavavy was left sitting around waiting most times.  Attendance began to fall off.  Then, that pastor stopped going to the new church plant.

Someone else took over the church plant. But their attendance was not consistent. Therefore, I asked that person what happens when there is no leader present.  They replied,  “They teach what they know.” Since these are young Christians, what do they know?  Currently, even more churches are being planted, with the same problems regarding trained pastors.  The work is plentiful, and God continues working, but the workers are few, and those who are available are not adequately equipped.

Our ministry exists to equip them where they are, without requiring them to leave their community. In this way, one church plant will be able to help another, and the harvest will not be slowed.