Name: Mihaja Randrianja

Nationality: Malagasy

Church: Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar

Function within church: Participation in a youth group and the choir.

Participating as: Steward

Age: 21

My encounter with the ecumenical movement has just started. I had the opportunity to join an ecumenical youth mission meeting in South Africa some time ago, but here in the WCC stewards programme I have had the chance to meet so many people from many different churches and countries. It is a great time of sharing both on our various church experiences and our unique contexts. I am learning so much. 

In my country we are not facing conflicts based on religious motives. The relationship between the churches is a good one. But in our country we are facing a political crisis and we, as Christians, are struggling how to take the role of mediators. It is not easy for us. We need to keep our neutrality regarding the political situation but also to challenge our society. We need to change our minds and our way of acting, through the message the church offers. 

Madagascar was once considered to be the “green island”. Unfortunately, it is not anymore. Year by year we are losing our green land and we are becoming a bare place, both because of human activity and by the increasing lack of water, which is causing us to lose our trees. This is so sad. How could we destroy what God has given to us as a precious gift to protect and take care of? If we call ourselves Christians, we have to show our care for the environment and the churches have to work harder on this.