The story begins with "M" - Mississippi, Malawi, Miracle. The tale is that of a 58-year-old priest, for 15 years rector of Church of the Redeemer in Biloxi, Miss., a man who 12 years earlier had been a missionary priest in Malawi, who in May, 1995, experienced a miracle.

The Rt. Rev. Jack Biggers had no idea he would be elected Bishop of the new Diocese of Northern Malawi when he agreed to let his name be placed in nomination [TLC, June 11]. "I asked them to try to find a Malawian," he said, "but I also said if they thought I had anything that would be helpful to them at this time, I would agree to let them put my name in."

They did, and he was consecrated June 4 in the northern city of Mzuzu and enthroned in a second ceremony, a rich, traditional African celebration in June in Likoma's magnificent St. Peter's Cathedral, historic beacon of Anglicanism on an island in Africa's third largest lake.

Now he faces what may well be the biggest challenge of his life: leading a new diocese, the poorest of Malawi's three dioceses, in one of the poorest countries of the world. Strictly agricultural, Malawi has not prospered over the 21 years since Bishop Biggers served there as a parish priest, chaplain to the then-Suffragan Bishop Josiah Mtekateka, who died recently at 93, and archdeacon of Lilongwe, the capital city. He remembers village markets where not more than a hundred or so people gathered.

"Now," he says, "there are thousands. I was appalled at how the population had grown." He thinks the population may well have outstripped the country's resources, and, though the dictatorial government of Hastings Banda ended in 1994, the people are fearful of the future.

"I had always thought of them as a self-sufficient people," Bishop Biggers said, "but not anymore."

Afraid for their future in a country where the infrastructure has deteriorated since the exodus of many Europeans, the people still cling to their small pieces of planted ground, still receive the traditional medicine, still suffer from many old diseases as well as several new ones such as AIDS and resistant malaria.

As one of the most hospitable people in one of the least urbanized countries in Africa, his new constituents give Bishop Biggers much to be optimistic about. The crime rate is low, the family unit strong, the yearning for education pervasive and the young people, who make up 46 percent of the population, are sticking with the church.

The choir is one of the major enticements for the young, who flock to churches to do their singing and accompaniment on traditional instruments.

Bishop Biggers preached in Chichewa without notes before a crowd of more than 3,000 people standing in the rain with umbrellas at his four-hour consecration in Mzuzu. "As long as we do the will of God, he gives us all we need to walk with him," he said.

Bishop Biggers will spend much of his time on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, all the residents of which are Anglican. He will commute by lake steamer to the mainland, where he will travel by car to the many outlying villages in the north.

Though poor - the total yearly budget of his new diocese is $40,000 and the highest-paid priest makes $58 per month - he sees growth potential from among the many unchurched.

Two-thirds of the country's people are Christian. Muslims make up 30 percent of the population; followers of traditional beliefs, a fifth. The other two dominant Christian churches are Roman Catholic and Presbyterian.

Though the advent of multi-party government does not necessarily mean an easing of all ills, Bishop Biggers sees hope in the willingness of the country's leaders to support churches. The president, a Muslim, has made a substantial contribution to a child care project sponsored by the Mothers' Union, and also gave funds toward the expenses of the consecration. Bishop Biggers also has a particular friend in one of the two vice-presidents, the son of an Anglican priest.

Bishop Biggers is seeking to raise funds to restore a half-dozen houses on Likoma Island for visitors and residential use, and for a resthouse and lay training center in Mzuzu.

Money will continue to be a worry for this fledgling diocese, but spirits are high and, echoing a statement from the Most Rev. Walter P.K. Makhulu, Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Central Africa, at the consecration, Bishop Biggers expresses confidence that the people will "stir up the gifts within them."