MISSIONS IN

Madagascar

God is moving in Madagascar

The State of Missions in Madagascar

Missions in Madagascar reflect an island with a dramatic evangelical history of Bible translation, persecution, revival, and strong national church traditions. London Missionary Society workers began sustained evangelical mission in Madagascar in 1818. 10 UPGs remain, totaling about 470,900 unreached people; Antankarana is the largest listed group.

  • 32M POPULATION
  • 56.6% CHRISTIANS
  • 64.7% LITERACY
  • 10 UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
  • Antankarana LARGEST UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP
  • 471K UNREACHED POPULATION
  • Antananarivo CAPITAL CITY
  • Antananarivo Toamasina Antsirabe LARGEST CITIES
  • Malagasy Ariary CURRENCY
  • Tropical overall, with humid eastern rainforests, dry southwest, cooler highlands, and frequent cyclone. CLIMATE
  • Malagasy PRIMARY LANGUAGES
  • Islam LARGEST UNREACHED RELIGION

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God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

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Bible Translation Malagasy Scripture has a celebrated history, while oral resources remain valuable among remote and low-literacy groups.
Church Planting Church planting can focus on less-reached coastal and northern peoples rather than duplicating strong highland churches.
Disaster Relief Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Education Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Gospel Access Ten UPGs remain, including about 470,900 Antankarana, the largest unreached community listed.
Human Trafficking Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Medical Missions Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Orphans & Vulnerable Children Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Persecuted Church Religious freedom is broad; syncretism, poverty, and uneven discipleship are more significant challenges.
Poverty & Justice Churches can pair agricultural resilience and food security with local ownership in chronically poor rural areas.
Unreached People Groups Millions still have little or no access to the gospel in their language and culture.

Active Projects across Madagascar

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A History of God's Faithfulness in Madagascar

Madagascar’s evangelical missions history explains much of its present church landscape. London Missionary Society workers began sustained mission in 1818, translated Scripture and opened schools; royal persecution after 1835 produced Malagasy martyrs, while later freedom led to rapid church expansion. Over time, responsibility moved increasingly toward local pastors, evangelists, teachers, and congregations.

  1. Early Beginnings

    London Missionary Society workers began sustained evangelical mission in Madagascar in 1818.

  2. 1900s

    Missionaries developed Malagasy Scripture, schools, printing, and a growing community of local believers around the highlands.

  3. Independence Era

    Queen Ranavalona I's government restricted Christianity from 1835, and Malagasy believers endured severe persecution and martyrdom.

  4. Modern Movement

    Religious freedom returned in the 1860s, producing rapid church expansion and strong national Christian institutions.

  5. Today

    Malagasy churches now carry a powerful indigenous heritage while serving remote peoples and communities repeatedly hit by cyclones.

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