Ethiopia Updates – November 2025

1. Leadership That Multiplies: God’s Movement in Wolayita – Sodo and Beyond

At Unite 4 Africa, our mission is to equip local and church leaders with transformational leadership skills rooted in Servant Leadership and the model of Jesus’s way of disciple-making. We provide biblically grounded and culturally relevant approaches to Leadership Development, Discipleship, and Mentoring across Africa through contextualized training sessions, seminars, and workshops.

As I reported in my previous newsletter article, under the visionary leadership and initiative of Dr. Okongo Samson, we launched Leadership Development and Disciple-Making Movement Trainings in two key Ethiopian cities—Wolayita Sodo and Arba-Minch at the beginning of last year. Thanks to Dr. Okongo’s ongoing mentorship and support, this movement has been steadily growing and producing lasting fruit.

After we successfully conducted the third round of this impactful training in the month of May, the movement continues to expand. Pastor Wondemagegn, who is a regional coordinator of Mesrete Kiristos Church, and Pastor George, who is a Pastor of Full Gospel Church, two key leaders in this initiative, traveled to Gasuba, Humbo, and Areka, where they trained more than 200 additional leaders. This multiplication is a tangible sign that the vision God entrusted to Dr. Okongo is taking deep root in the region.

Pastor Wondemagegn Trains Leaders in Gasuba town

We are filled with joy and hope as we witness how God is using this movement to bring sustainable transformation—not only in southern Ethiopia but also across the entire nation and, ultimately, beyond its borders. The journey of leadership development and disciple-making continues, and we are confident that the impact will echo for generations to come.

Pastor George and his team facilitate the Training

2. Raising a Generation of Disciple-Makers

At Unite 4 Africa, one of our greatest passions is to empower new and emerging young leaders and to mobilize a disciple-making movement among them. We believe that the future of the Church and the expansion of God’s Kingdom depend on how well we invest in the next generation today. Our vision is to raise up Christ-centered leaders who will influence their communities with the love, humility, and servant leadership modeled by Jesus Himself.

One shining example of this vision in action is Yonas Zeleke, a vibrant young leader serving in one of the local congregations of Meserete Kiristos Church in Adama City, Ethiopia. Yonas participated in our disciple-making training modules, where he learned not only how to grow as a disciple of Jesus but also how to multiply himself by discipling others.

Meserete Kiristos Tsega Local Church Youth group in Adama

After completing the training, Yonas immediately put what he learned into practice. He gathered 21 other young people from his church and began to train, coach, and mentor them using the same biblical principles he had received. Week after week, these young leaders meet for prayer, fellowship, and study of God’s Word. They are growing in their faith and are now actively sharing the Gospel with their friends, families, and communities.

This is the very heart of what we long to see — multiplication in action! It beautifully reflects the instruction the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy:

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2

Through stories like Yonas’s, we are witnessing the Word of God coming alive in the hearts of young people who are catching the vision of disciple-making and leadership development. These youth are not only being transformed themselves but are also becoming catalysts for transformation in their communities.

We praise God for how He is stirring the hearts of the young generation, preparing them for the next great harvest in His Kingdom. Every testimony like this reminds us that your partnership truly makes a difference. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support help us reach, train, and equip young leaders like Yonas—leaders who will carry the light of Christ into every corner of their world.

Together, we are shaping the future of Africa—one disciple, one leader, and one community at a time. Thank you for standing with us in this mission.

Conclusions

As we look back on what God is doing through Unite 4 Africa in Ethiopia, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude. The leadership multiplication movement in Wolayita Sodo, Arba-Minch, and beyond, as well as the disciple-making impact among young leaders like Yonas in Adama City, are clear demonstrations that God’s Kingdom is advancing through faithful servants. These stories remind us that transformation happens when leaders live and lead like Jesus—empowered by His Spirit and grounded in His Word.

We are humbled to be part of God’s unfolding story in Ethiopia and across East Africa. The seeds of servant leadership and disciple-making being planted today will, by His grace, yield a great harvest for generations to come. Together, with your prayers and partnership, we will continue to equip and multiply Christ-centered leaders who bring lasting transformation to their communities and nations.

Praise and Praise Items

• Praise
  • Praise God for the multiplication of Leadership Development and Disciple-Making trainings in southern Ethiopia—especially in Wolayita Sodo, Arba-Minch, Gasuba, Humbo, and Areka. Over 200 new leaders have been trained and mobilized to disciple others.
  • Praise God for the inspiring testimony of Yonas Zeleke and the group of 21 young leaders he is mentoring—showing true multiplication and obedience to 2 Timothy 2:2.
  • Praise God for the faithful partnership, prayers, and financial support from friends and partners of Unite 4 Africa, which make this ongoing impact possible.
  • Praise God for the growing unity and collaboration among local churches and leaders who are catching the vision for servant leadership and disciple-making.
• Prayer Items
  • Pray for continued spiritual growth and endurance for all the leaders and pastors who are part of the ongoing training and mentoring movements in Ethiopia.
  • Pray for the next phase of Leadership and Disciple-Making Movement trainings—that God will raise even more regional trainers and mentors to multiply the work.
  • Pray for Yonas and his young disciples as they continue to reach their communities with the Gospel—asking God to protect, guide, and empower them.
  • Pray for Dr. Okongo Samson and the Unite 4 Africa leadership team as they provide vision, oversight, and mentorship to expand the movement across East Africa and beyond.
  • Pray for the provision of the necessary financial and logistical resources to sustain and grow these ministry initiatives in Ethiopia and beyond.

Samson Weldemariam /Rev./

Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A