- Planting Seeds of Change: Introducing the Use Your Talents Program at STPL Atsimoniavoko, the Pastoral Seminary of the Malagasy Lutheran Church
Once upon a time, in the highlands of Madagascar, STPL Atsimoniavoko, the Pastoral Seminary of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, stood as a beacon of faith, knowledge, and transformation. For decades, it had shaped countless pastors, preparing them to shepherd their congregations with wisdom and devotion. But in this final year of theological training, something new…
- Practice in Diaconal Work and Mission of the Christian Church in Vondrozo Context in Madagascar
Practice in Diaconal Work and Mission of the Christian Church in Vondrozo Context in Madagascar by Pastor Kotobesoa is a fascinating study about what it means for the Church to face the real life circumstances of people in a poverty situation. By focusing on the current state of affairs in the Vondrozo area of Madagascar,…
- CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR A COLLECTIVE WORK – USE YOUR TALENTS
Dear All, Grace and peace! As a follow-up to the resolutions of the academic workshop “Use Your Talents” held at the Protestant University of Central Africa, please find attached the call for contributions for a collective work. We kindly request you to widely disseminate this and share the call with anyone you think might be…
- Ice Rink in Western Mongolia
In Western Mongolia, organised activities for youth and children are uncommon. So, a group of missionaries used their talents to build and maintain an ice rink for the local youngsters to use. This, as well as other projects, has given them a new way to reach the community and spread the message of God’s love…
- Master’s Thesis: Women, use your talents!
Zo Ramiandra Rakotoarison’s Master’s Thesis “Women, use your talents!” asks the important question of how the application of the Use Your Talents project in the Malagasy Lutheran Church empowers women. By collecting data via one-on-one and focus group interviews, this paper looks to gain an understanding of the impact of an emphasis on gender equality…
- The Kingdom Of Heaven and the Use Of Talents
Written by Dr. Rafalimanana Jean de Dieu (a New Testament researcher), “The Kingdom of Heaven and the Use of Talents” seeks to inform the reader about the society, ideology, and culture of the Greco-Roman world by investigating the language used in Matthew’s gospel.This helps provide context for how we interpret the Parable of the Talents,…
- Children in Indonesia
Discover how Use Your Talents is being used in Indonesia to help instruct children and develop their abilities.
- Use Your Talents For Sunday Schools
The goal of this booklet is to assist people overcome their dependent mindset. With the help of this book, we may begin educating kids early enough to use what they now have for their own development. This booklet can also be used for youth meetings and church Bible studies in addition to Sunday school programs.…
- The Miso No Home
Watch this video to learn all about how a project that began with 3 ladies praying for a place for people to spend their last years in a Christian environment resulted in the opening of the Miso No Home.
- The use of Diaconal Asset-Based Approach as a tool for the inclusion of persons with disabilities
Amos Ounsoubo’s Master’s Thesis provides a fascinating look into using an asset-based approach to help include persons with disabilities. The thesis approaches the issue of inclusion of persons with disabilities by looking for their strengths, abilities, competences, and skills, rather than their vulnerability. By focusing on the work of the association HANDICARE with hearing-impaird youth…
- UYT West Africa Conference, Abidjan, Ivory Coast 2024
Use Your Talents turns poverty into abundance A total of 70 participants from ten different countries attended this year’s Use Your Talents conference for French-speaking countries in Africa. The conference was held at a Catholic center in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.On the last day of the conference, Amos Ounsboubou, who leads the Norwegian Mission Society’s Use…
- Building Bridges and Changing Lives: Community-Led Development in Action
Community-led development is more than just a strategy for economic growth—it’s a philosophy that empowers individuals to take ownership of their own futures. Through local leadership, communities are able to identify their unique needs and harness their talents to solve problems. One inspiring example of this is the story of a rural village in Madagascar,…
- House of Grace: A Haven of Hope and Renewal
In the bustling outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, there is a place where hope, healing, and transformation converge. This place is called the House of Grace, a sanctuary for young mothers and women in difficult situations, offering them shelter, support, and a second chance at life. For over 30 years, House of Grace has been a…
- A Youth-Driven Movement of Faith and Environmental Stewardship
Nestled in the quiet region of Sandnes, Norway, Bogafjell has become a beacon for environmental stewardship, community engagement, and youth empowerment. What began as a simple initiative within the local church has grown into a powerful movement that is teaching young people the importance of faith, responsibility, and care for God’s creation. Through a unique…
- How Churches Become Development Agents: The Story of Use Your Talents
In many parts of the world, churches are often seen as places of worship, prayer, and community gathering. However, through the “Use Your Talents” movement, churches have begun playing an even more dynamic role, becoming key agents of development in their communities. This approach, which originated in the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar, has transformed…
- Ming’s Service – Beekeeping and Beyond
Ming’s story is one of passion, creativity, and a deep commitment to serving his community. What began as a personal interest in honey blossomed into a transformative movement that is now impacting the lives of countless people. “My name is Ming, and I’m passionate about my community,” he shares. His journey started with a simple…
- Empowering Communities Through ‘Use Your Talents’: Lessons from Madagascar
In the heart of Madagascar, an inspiring movement is reshaping the way local communities approach development and sustainability. The “Use Your Talents” initiative, which started within the Malagasy Lutheran Church, has become a powerful model for community-led development, showing how faith, local resources, and human potential can be harnessed to improve lives. The philosophy behind…
- Kjolefest: A Celebration of Generosity and Community
In the heart of Bodø, Norway, a unique event has become a beloved tradition that blends generosity, sustainability, and community: the “Kjolefest” or “Dress Party.” What began as a simple idea has grown into a powerful annual event, drawing women of all ages together to share not only beautiful clothes but also stories, laughter, and…
- Esther’s Journey – A Heart for Her People
Esther’s journey is a powerful testament to the strength of faith, perseverance, and devotion to her community. Born into the Gypsy community in India, Esther grew up witnessing both the challenges her people faced and the unwavering commitment of her father to serve them. Her father’s ministry spanned over 40 years, despite enduring rejection and hardship. His love for Jesus and his people never wavered, and this steadfastness profoundly shaped Esther’s life and her own path of service.
- Use Your Talents Study and Action booklet
If you and your congregation have heard about Use Your Talents and are looking for a way to get involved, then the Use Your Talents Study And Action Booklet is a great resource to help get you started. The booklet (which you can download using the link below) is meant to be used as a…
Once upon a time, in the highlands of Madagascar, STPL Atsimoniavoko, the Pastoral Seminary of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, stood as a beacon of faith, knowledge, and transformation. For decades, it had shaped countless pastors, preparing them to shepherd their congregations with wisdom and devotion. But in this final year of theological training, something new…
Practice in Diaconal Work and Mission of the Christian Church in Vondrozo Context in Madagascar by Pastor Kotobesoa is a fascinating study about what it means for the Church to face the real life circumstances of people in a poverty situation. By focusing on the current state of affairs in the Vondrozo area of Madagascar,…
Dear All, Grace and peace! As a follow-up to the resolutions of the academic workshop “Use Your Talents” held at the Protestant University of Central Africa, please find attached the call for contributions for a collective work. We kindly request you to widely disseminate this and share the call with anyone you think might be…
In Western Mongolia, organised activities for youth and children are uncommon. So, a group of missionaries used their talents to build and maintain an ice rink for the local youngsters to use. This, as well as other projects, has given them a new way to reach the community and spread the message of God’s love…
Zo Ramiandra Rakotoarison’s Master’s Thesis “Women, use your talents!” asks the important question of how the application of the Use Your Talents project in the Malagasy Lutheran Church empowers women. By collecting data via one-on-one and focus group interviews, this paper looks to gain an understanding of the impact of an emphasis on gender equality…
Written by Dr. Rafalimanana Jean de Dieu (a New Testament researcher), “The Kingdom of Heaven and the Use of Talents” seeks to inform the reader about the society, ideology, and culture of the Greco-Roman world by investigating the language used in Matthew’s gospel.This helps provide context for how we interpret the Parable of the Talents,…
Discover how Use Your Talents is being used in Indonesia to help instruct children and develop their abilities.
The goal of this booklet is to assist people overcome their dependent mindset. With the help of this book, we may begin educating kids early enough to use what they now have for their own development. This booklet can also be used for youth meetings and church Bible studies in addition to Sunday school programs.…
Watch this video to learn all about how a project that began with 3 ladies praying for a place for people to spend their last years in a Christian environment resulted in the opening of the Miso No Home.
Amos Ounsoubo’s Master’s Thesis provides a fascinating look into using an asset-based approach to help include persons with disabilities. The thesis approaches the issue of inclusion of persons with disabilities by looking for their strengths, abilities, competences, and skills, rather than their vulnerability. By focusing on the work of the association HANDICARE with hearing-impaird youth…
Use Your Talents turns poverty into abundance A total of 70 participants from ten different countries attended this year’s Use Your Talents conference for French-speaking countries in Africa. The conference was held at a Catholic center in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.On the last day of the conference, Amos Ounsboubou, who leads the Norwegian Mission Society’s Use…
Community-led development is more than just a strategy for economic growth—it’s a philosophy that empowers individuals to take ownership of their own futures. Through local leadership, communities are able to identify their unique needs and harness their talents to solve problems. One inspiring example of this is the story of a rural village in Madagascar,…
In the bustling outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, there is a place where hope, healing, and transformation converge. This place is called the House of Grace, a sanctuary for young mothers and women in difficult situations, offering them shelter, support, and a second chance at life. For over 30 years, House of Grace has been a…
Nestled in the quiet region of Sandnes, Norway, Bogafjell has become a beacon for environmental stewardship, community engagement, and youth empowerment. What began as a simple initiative within the local church has grown into a powerful movement that is teaching young people the importance of faith, responsibility, and care for God’s creation. Through a unique…
In many parts of the world, churches are often seen as places of worship, prayer, and community gathering. However, through the “Use Your Talents” movement, churches have begun playing an even more dynamic role, becoming key agents of development in their communities. This approach, which originated in the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar, has transformed…
Ming’s story is one of passion, creativity, and a deep commitment to serving his community. What began as a personal interest in honey blossomed into a transformative movement that is now impacting the lives of countless people. “My name is Ming, and I’m passionate about my community,” he shares. His journey started with a simple…
In the heart of Madagascar, an inspiring movement is reshaping the way local communities approach development and sustainability. The “Use Your Talents” initiative, which started within the Malagasy Lutheran Church, has become a powerful model for community-led development, showing how faith, local resources, and human potential can be harnessed to improve lives. The philosophy behind…
In the heart of Bodø, Norway, a unique event has become a beloved tradition that blends generosity, sustainability, and community: the “Kjolefest” or “Dress Party.” What began as a simple idea has grown into a powerful annual event, drawing women of all ages together to share not only beautiful clothes but also stories, laughter, and…
Esther’s journey is a powerful testament to the strength of faith, perseverance, and devotion to her community. Born into the Gypsy community in India, Esther grew up witnessing both the challenges her people faced and the unwavering commitment of her father to serve them. Her father’s ministry spanned over 40 years, despite enduring rejection and hardship. His love for Jesus and his people never wavered, and this steadfastness profoundly shaped Esther’s life and her own path of service.
If you and your congregation have heard about Use Your Talents and are looking for a way to get involved, then the Use Your Talents Study And Action Booklet is a great resource to help get you started. The booklet (which you can download using the link below) is meant to be used as a…