Senior leaders of Adventist World Radio (AWR) have joined hundreds of missionaries, medical professionals, church leaders and local members for "Madagascar for Christ", an evangelistic campaign running at more than 100 concurrent sites from 26 August to 6 September 2026.
The campaign follows roughly eight months of preparation and brings health ministry, media, community service and public evangelism together under a single effort.
AWR President Pastor Jim Howard is taking part alongside General Vice Presidents Pastor Justin Ringstaff and Cami Oetman, Vice President for Finance Charné Renou, and other AWR leaders and volunteers.
"Madagascar for Christ demonstrates what can happen when we combine radio with other media, health ministry, and personal and public evangelism," Howard said. "Our goal goes beyond broadcasting. We want to reach people, engage with them, and connect them to local churches for deeper study, baptism, and discipleship."
The largest single component is a medical outreach organised through AWR Cares, with volunteer medical professionals from 12 countries providing free healthcare in and around Antananarivo. More than 9,000 patients have been treated. Services include women's health, optical care, dentistry and emergency response.
The medical team is led by AWR Health Evangelism Director Dr. Don Adams, who said the outreach is intended to build relationships as much as to treat conditions.
"Medical ministry allows us to meet people at a very personal point of need," Adams said. "When people experience genuine care and compassion, relationships are formed, and doors are opened for hope, prayer, and the message of Jesus."
Evangelistic meetings have now begun alongside the continuing medical work.
Immanuel Ogwal, AWR Africa Director, said the campaign is designed so that its effects outlast it. "Our mission cannot end when the broadcast ends or when the evangelistic meeting closes," he said. "The goal is disciples, people whose lives are transformed by Jesus and who, in turn, share Him with their families and communities."
Many of the international volunteers are self-funded, covering their own travel and contributing professional expertise. Others taking part include Sue Hinkle, AWR Director for Evangelistic Outreach, and Suzanna Facundo, Coordinator for Health Outreach.
Local leadership has shaped the medical work. Professor Hanitrala Jean Louis Rakotovao, a former Minister of Public Health of Madagascar, has served as local coordinator for the outreach, and organisers say the partnership between international volunteers and Malagasy leaders is intended to root the campaign in local congregations rather than run it as a visiting event.
The campaign concludes on 6 September, after which organisers expect participating churches to continue Bible study and discipleship with those who responded.
