Ethiopia Updates – May 2025

Equipping Young Leaders: Kaleab Alemu’s Transformational Visit to Ghana

At Unite 4 Africa, we believe in raising up the next generation of godly leaders by equipping, empowering, and exposing them to transformational ministry in action. One recent example of this is the journey of Kaleab Alemu, a young Ethiopian leader who is being mentored by Dr. Okongo Samson, President of Unite 4 Africa. As part of our intentional leadership development efforts, Dr. Okongo organized and facilitated Kaleab’s recent visit to Ghana to witness firsthand the impact of our ministry.

Reflecting on the experience, Kaleab shared how deeply moved he was by the powerful stories of transformation taking place across Ghana through Unite 4 Africa. One testimony that especially stood out to him was the remarkable journey of Pastor Adam, a local leader from the village of Kumbungu, Northern Ghana.

Pastor Adam was born and raised in Kumbungu, a rural village where access to education was extremely limited. Without the opportunity to attend school, his early life was filled with hardship and little hope for the future. But God had other plans.

Several years ago, Dr. Okongo met Pastor Adam and began mentoring him through the work of Unite 4 Africa. Under this mentorship, Pastor Adam not only grew in his faith but also developed critical skills, including learning to read, write, and speak in English. Today, he serves as the project leader for Kumbungu village, overseeing our goat project and leading a thriving family with six children.

Kaleab observed that Pastor Adam travels regularly to neighboring villages, engaging local leaders—many of whom are not yet believers but are open and welcoming to the work of Unite 4 Africa. He noticed the deep respect these leaders have for Dr. Okongo and his team, a testimony to years of faithful service and relationship-building.

In addition to his current role, Pastor Adam is expanding his vision and learning about agriculture. With continued guidance and counseling from Dr. Okongo, he is striving toward holistic growth for both his family and his community.

Kaleab shared how inspired he was by Pastor Adam’s story—his passion, humility, and charisma left a lasting impression. “His life is a living testimony of what God can do through a surrendered heart and the power of mentorship,” Kaleab said. “His story is not only inspiring but also a powerful reminder of the impact that one transformed life can have on many others.”

Through experiences like this, young leaders like Kaleab are being equipped to serve, lead, and multiply transformation across Africa and beyond. We thank God for what He is doing through Unite 4 Africa, and we continue to invest in the next generation with hope and purpose.

Encouraging Updates from Our Hub in Jigjiga – Border of Somalia

We’re excited to share some inspiring updates from our Disciple-Making, Church Planting, and Leadership Development Hub in Jigjiga, a strategic town located in Eastern Ethiopia on the border of Somalia. Over the past three and a half years, my team and I have had the privilege of regularly traveling to Jigjiga to train and equip more than 50 key local leaders. These leaders are now actively multiplying the impact across the region, and we are witnessing God’s hand at work in powerful ways.

One of these leaders is Mohammed Sheremo, a courageous and passionate church planter and disciple-making movement leader. Mohammed is from the Somali community and has dedicated his life to reaching the Horn of Africa—one of the most spiritually closed and politically unstable regions in the world.

The training he has received through our hub has equipped him to disciple and train others in secret, underground settings across Somalia and Somaliland. Just two weeks ago, Mohammed shared an incredible testimony with me: he gathered 14 Muslim-background underground church leaders in the city of Dire Dawa for a time of training and encouragement. These leaders came from places such as Hargeisa, Mogadishu, and other parts of Somalia.

He described how God is moving in powerful but hidden ways—comparing it to how Nicodemus came to Jesus at night (John 3: 1 – 3). People are coming to Christ quietly, often in secret, but with sincere and transformed hearts.

We give all glory to God for what He is doing in this region, and we remain committed to supporting and mentoring leaders like Mohammed. I plan to continue the next phase of training and mentoring next month, building up this faithful group for greater Kingdom impact.

Please continue to pray for Mohammed and the many others who are laboring in difficult and dangerous conditions. Your partnership makes this life-transforming work possible. Thank you for standing with us.

Praise and Prayer Items:

As we continue pressing forward in our mission this year, we invite you to join us in lifting up the following praises and prayer requests before the Lord:

Praise:

1. We thank God for the life and growth of Pastor Adam, whose transformation is a powerful testimony of God’s grace and the impact of mentorship through Unite 4 Africa.
2. Praise God for the successful trip of Kaleab Alemu to Ghana. His heart has been ignited with a greater passion for ministry and leadership through what he witnessed.
3. We give thanks for Dr. Okongo Samson’s faithful mentorship and leadership, which continues to raise up young leaders across Africa.
4. Praise God for the ongoing impact of our Disciple-Making and Church Planting Hub in Jigjiga over the past 3.5 years.
5. Give thanks for the 50+ leaders who have been trained and are now actively serving across the Horn of Africa.
6. Celebrate the bold ministry of Mohammed Sheremo and the underground leaders he is discipling across Somalia and Somaliland.
7. Rejoice in the growing movement of hidden believers who are coming to Christ, even in the most difficult and restricted areas.

Prayer:

1. Please pray for Pastor Adam as he continues to grow in his leadership and agricultural training. Pray for strength, wisdom, and provision for him and his family.
2. Pray for Kaleab Alemu, that God would continue to nurture the calling on his life and open more doors for him to grow and serve as a future leader.
3. Continue to lift up Unite 4 Africa’s leadership development efforts—that God would guide and provide as we disciple and empower the next generation.
4. Pray for spiritual breakthroughs in the villages where Pastor Adam serves, that local leaders would come to know Christ personally and support the ongoing mission.
5. Pray for continued protection, boldness, and wisdom for Mohammed and other underground leaders as they carry out ministry in dangerous contexts.
6. Ask the Lord to strengthen and expand the disciple-making movement throughout Somalia, Somaliland, and beyond.
7. Pray for fruitful mentoring and follow-up as we continue training sessions next month.
8. Lift up the communities in this region—that hearts would be opened and that peace would take root where there is volatility and resistance.
9. Pray for the provision of resources, strength, and spiritual covering for our team and partners working on the ground.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer and partnership. Your support is a great encouragement as we labor together for His glory. May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Samson Weldemariam /Rev./
Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A