As in most African cultures, family is very important in the Malagasy culture of Madagascar, an island nation southeast of the African continent. Even when children are grown, they often live close to their parents; getting together for family functions is very important for the Malagasy.

Julien and Juliette lost their father when Julien was 11 and Juliette was 10. This immediately changed their economic standing. They both had to drop out of school as there was no longer a bread-winner in their family to pay the minimal school fees. Sad and discouraged, they met a member of the Church of the Nazarene who told them about the AMI4, or the Compassionate Ministries Madagascar Street Kids Center not far from their home. They both began attending the center and were exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of Christ.

Julien came to know Christ through the regular Bible teaching at the center. At the age of 13 he gave his life to Christ as a direct result of the Bible classes. The center continued to be very influential in his Christian growth. He was never able to re-enter regular school and stayed on at the center until he was 19 years old and was able to write the government exams through grade 9. 

In spite of circumstances and having not finished school, Julien did not let this stop him when he felt the call of Christ to become a pastor. He had always looked up to pastors and enjoyed preaching. Julien began taking classes to become a pastor while he worked with children every Saturday in a nearby area; his intention included reaching out to their parents.

Juliette’s story is not dissimilar. She came to know the Lord through the preaching of Rev. Richard Ravelomanantsoa at the yearly camp for the street kids center. Juliette gave her life to Christ at the age of 14. 

In 2008, when Juliette was 18, she decided to take the first pastoral training class in which they studied the book Called to Holiness. By the time they finished that book and took the spiritual gifts assessment, Juliette knew that the Lord was calling her to be a pastor. She started actively taking the pastoral training courses offered. Jeremiah 33:3 further confirmed for Juliette her call to Christian ministry.

Being a Christian young adult in Madagascar is not easy. Alcohol, particularly, is a big issue for the young adult. Both Julien and Juliette said that friends and peer pressure make it difficult to be a Christian. Julien said that after he made his decision for Christ and to pursue ministry, his friends started mocking him by calling him “pastor” and still inviting him to participate in unhealthy activities.

Juliette was hurt when her friends started to get angry that she no longer wished to participate in certain activities. Her old friends started to push her away and alienate her. Thankfully, the Lord has provided her with a church family and new friends who are more uplifting to her spiritual walk.

Currently, both Julien and Juliette are continuing in their pastoral training while they work other jobs. They recently completed Church History and will continue on until they are done and can receive their certificate. Both plan to continue on in ministry and to one day plant and pastor churches of their own as the work in Madagascar grows. 

-- Rachelle Miller, with her husband, Ronald, is a specialized assignment missionary in Madagascar for the Africa Region Church of the Nazarene. They have two children: Abigail and Malachi

-- This story appears courtesy of Engage magazine, the global mission magazine of the Church of the Nazarene. Through multi-media storytelling, Engage investigates mission strategies, tells the narratives of people in mission, and provides a place for Nazarenes to share their own mission stories with the global church family.