David & Ashley Ellingson
Antananarivo, 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 have joined their GMI teammates Faly and Lily Ravoahangy in Antananarivo, Madagascar. David has the privilege of training indigenous pastors in the Scriptures, theology, and preaching God’s Word, so they can properly feed and shepherd their flocks. His team accomplishes this training through regional workshops, conferences, and, Lord willing, by establishing the first biblical seminary in Madagascar focused on expository preaching. David also serves in a local church where he identifies, trains, and disciples godly men for future leadership. David and Ashley 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.
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.
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
Spiritual Poverty
- There are parts of Madagascar where the Malagasy people have never heard of Jesus Christ because they are so isolated.
- Over 50% of Malagasy have traditional animistic beliefs only.
- 38% claim the “Christian” label (e.g. Roman Catholics), but believe a false gospel or blend Christian teaching with ancestor worship.
- 10% of Malagasy are Muslim.
- Only 2% are evangelical Christians.
- Most Malagasy people profess to believe in a god, but practice ancestor worship and dance with the dead to receive blessings.
Preparation
In preparation for this ministry, God has provided training to both of us. David has been trained at The Master’s Seminary (M.Div., May 2018) to faithfully exposit the Word of God, shepherd the flock, and train others. Ashley has received ACBC biblical counseling training and is using this training and giftedness to minister to women in the local church.
Ministry Trip to Madagascar
In August 2017, our church sent us on a three-week trip to see what life and ministry would look like as missionaries in Madagascar. The trip confirmed both their need and desire for biblical training.
We observed an immense hunger among the Malagasy to know the Word of God. Believers were willing to travel two days over terrible roads just to be trained. Some even walked 25 miles!
We observed an immense hunger among the Malagasy to know the Word of God. Believers were willing to travel two days over terrible roads just to be trained. Some even walked 25 miles!
Our Stewardship
God prepared us for this ministry by placing us in biblical churches where we were taught the truth and equipped to pass it on to others. Our stewardship is to be faithful to “entrust these things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”— 2 Timothy 2:2
Our ministry in Madagascar will focus on two key areas:
Training Men for Ministry
- David has the privilege of training indigenous pastors in Scripture, theology, and preaching God’s Word, so they can properly feed and shepherd their flocks.
- Our team accomplishes 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 serves in a local church in Antananarivo (the capital) where he identifies, trains, and disciples godly men for future leadership.
- David and Ashley 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 to team up with Malagasy nationals! What a joy to work alongside such good friends!
Connect with Us
See below for ways to stay up-to-date with the latest news, information, and photos for the Ellingsons ministry to Madagascar.