David & Ashley Ellingson

Madagascar

David and Ashley Ellingson are missionaries to the island nation of Madagascar. After one year of French language school in Albertville, France (2019-2020), they will join their GMI teammates Faly and Lily Ravoahangy in Antananarivo, Madagascar. David will have the privilege of training indigenous pastors in the Scriptures, theology, and preaching God’s Word, so they will be able to properly feed and shepherd their flocks. His team will accomplish this training through regional workshops, conferences, and, Lord willing, by establishing the first biblical seminary in Madagascar focused on expository preaching. David will also serve in a local church where he will identify, train, and disciple godly men for future leadership. David and Ashley will also serve this local body of believers through biblical counseling and hospitality. Pray for the Ellingson family as they proclaim the fame of Christ’s Name to the nations.

God has richly blessed them with four daughters: Isabella (June 2010), Lydia (June 2011), Anna (April 2013), and Clara (January 2015). 

You can partner financially with us at the bottom of this page. You can sign-up for our newsletters or view previous ones too.

Why Missions? Why Madagascar?

We are sometimes asked, “Why missions? Why Madagascar? Don’t we need more biblical churches and training at home?”

Yes! There is a great need for sound theology and biblical churches here. The difference is that we have access to biblical churches, radio, seminaries, books, internet, and other resources. In comparison to most countries in the world, we have a wealth of biblical resources.

In Madagascar, there is very little access to biblical training, resources, or even Bible-preaching churches. Together, we can meet this great need by equipping Malagasy pastors to be biblical shepherds, theologians, and preachers who can feed their churches and the nation.

Madagascar

• Madagascar has a population of 24 million
• The island is the size of Texas
• There are two official languages: Malagasy and French (we will need to learn both)
• Madagascar is listed as one of the poorest countries in the world
• 65% literacy rate
• 85% of population without electricity
• 96% of population with no internet
• 76% earn less than $1 per day
• 80% are in poverty
• 49% of young children have stunted growth
• 60% of population is under the age of 25
• 65 years life expectancy at birth

Our ministry in Madagascar will focus on two key areas:

Training Men for Ministry

• David will have the privilege of training indigenous pastors in Scripture, theology, and preaching God’s Word, so they will be able to properly feed and shepherd their flocks.
• Our team will accomplish this training through regional workshops, conferences, and, Lord willing, establishing the first biblical seminary in Madagascar focusing on expository preaching.

Strengthening the Local Church

• David will serve in a local church in Antananarivo (the capital) where he will identify, train, and disciple godly men for future leadership.
• David and Ashley will also serve this local body of believers through biblical counseling and hospitality.

Partnering with Malagasy Nationals

While in seminary, we developed a close friendship with a family from Madagascar—the Ravoahangys. This like-minded family returned to Madagascar in August 2017 to begin the full-time ministry of training local church leaders in Madagascar. What an asset it will be to team up with Malagasy nationals! What a joy it will be to work alongside such good friends!

Connect with Us

• Sign-up for newsletters at: http://bit.ly/pray4madagascar
• View previous newsletters at: https://Ministry2Madagascar.com/blog
• Visit Ministry2Madagascar.com for more information, photos, and prayer requests.

Partner with us financially (all gifts are tax-deductible). Here is how:

1. Credit Card Donation Online (monthly or one-time)

• Make a one-time or recurring credit card donation by filling out the form below. Type in an amount to give, select either "One Time" or "Monthly", then click the “+ Add to Giving” button, then on the next screen you can either create a new account or sign-in with your existing gracechurch.org account. Enter your credit card billing information, then click the “Submit Payment” button. Thank you!

2. Setup a Direct Deposit to Give Automatically

• To set up a monthly direct deposit, print this form and follow its instructions (Use missionary/project: "Ellingson – Madagascar, #080507").
• GMI Direct Deposit benefits you because there is no check writing, no postage costs, easy to track donations, and it's easy to start, change, or stop. This method benefits us as missionaries because donations do not get delayed, lost in the mail, or accidentally forgotten. Since credit cards expire, donations can stop unexpectedly. But direct deposits stabilize our support and allow us to stay focused on ministry.

3. Mail in a Check:

• SEE A SAMPLE CHECK HERE
• Send a check payable to: Grace Ministries International
• Write on the memo line: Ellingson – Madagascar, Project #080507
• Then, send check to:

            Grace Ministries International
            13248 Roscoe Blvd.
            Sun Valley, CA 91352
            (818) 909-5701

4. Setup Bill Pay through Your Bank

• Contact your bank and set up an online monthly payment to "Grace Ministries International", 13248 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - be sure to include "Ellingson - Madagascar" in the memo or reference field.