By Andy Drozdziak

A Catholic evangelist is seeking to build a community of small groups connected together through faith and friendship with an innovative new project.

‘RAISING Joshua' is a project created by Allegra Mutanda, aimed at forming disciples who will then go on to disciple others.

Allegra told CHARIS England and Wales: "The vision behind ‘RAISING Joshua’ is to build a community of small groups connected together through faith in Jesus Christ and friendship, forming disciples who can disciple others. Discipleship has always been very close to my heart in this work of evangelisation."

Explaining the impact of "people in my prayer group who shared their faith with me", Allegra said: "Their witness, love, support shone light on my journey to deeper intimacy with God. My hope is that, through these small groups, we will do the same for one another."

Forming disciples who can disciple others

Originally from the DR Congo and a native French speaker, Allegra moved to the UK in 1995. Her faith came alive in 2001 after she attended ‘Life in the Spirit’ seminars, which had a transformative effect on her personal life and subsequent career path when she discovered a deep passion for evangelisation.

Having since had extensive experience through evangelisation in parish ministry, Allegra wants to form disciples who will journey with others in a shared mission, saying: "RAISING Joshua is not about individual groups. As a community of small groups, it is essential to understand we are journeying together and belong to the larger community of small groups through a shared journey, a shared mission and a shared faith."

Allegra, who is a member of the CNSC, the principal co-ordinating organisation of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in England and Wales, also explained the significance of the project's name, referring to how Moses taught, discipled, and mentored Joshua who led Israel into the promised land. (See Numbers 27: 12 – 23).

Allegra said: "Through small group learning, sharing, and peer support, my hope is that people will be discipled into a place where they, in turn, can disciple others and raise new ‘Joshuas’."

'Our logos represent discipleship, formation, and the call to lead others closer to Christ'

Wishing the small groups to be "a place of welcome" and to have "an outwards focus," Allegra said: "Churches must grow larger and smaller at the same time, larger in worship and smaller through small groups.

"Each small group will have the capacity to receive and welcome new members in order to grow into more small groups."

She also commented on the logos (see below) used for the project, highlighting how they were inspired by Moses mentoring Joshua. She said: "Our logos represent discipleship, formation, and the call to lead others closer to Christ."

'I am, because we are; and since we are therefore I am' (African proverb)

Allegra also underlined the importance of community, saying: "We are invited not just to belong but to grow and help others grow. Together, we journey as one family, supporting one another and growing in holiness."

The small groups will take place online fortnightly for approximately an hour and a half. They will have between 8 – 10 members (including facilitators) and include people with a range of ages and faith experiences.

Is this for me?

Allegra recommended that RAISING Joshua would be suitable for those who want to grow closer to Jesus, who are seeking meaningful friendships and who desire to grow in faith and understanding and are open to being discipled—and discipling others

She described RAISING Joshua as "a way of life, not a programme; a community, not isolated group; a formation pathway, not just a gathering."

Basic Structure and Commitment

The basic structure of a small group gathering includes a social time, prayer, sharing, input and teaching, reflection and discussion, a general conversation on the teaching points and a deeper time of prayer.

Members will be asked to attend regularly (fortnightly, term time). A residential weekend retreat will take place in late spring/early summer, which will include times of teachings, prayer, small groups, and fellowship. Allegra said: "This gathering is an opportunity for us to take time out with God and with one another as we build relationships."

Allegra said there will be 'a minimal yearly suggested donation' for admin costs, adding: "The cost for the residential weekend is not included in this."

If you are interested in being part of RAISING Joshua, please complete the registration form here