Ethiopia Updates September 2026

1. No Nation Is Closed to the Gospel: God Is Moving in the Horn of Africa

“Go and make disciples of all nations.” — Matthew 28:19

No country is closed to God, and no border can stop the advance of the Gospel. The Great Commission that Jesus entrusted to His disciples is still our mandate today: to go to all nations, make disciples, and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.

The countries of the Horn of Africa—Eritrea, Djibouti, Somaliland, and Somalia are often considered some of the most difficult places in the world for Christian ministry. Because of religious and political restrictions, Christians in these nations often face significant pressure, opposition, and persecution. Yet, even in the midst of these challenges, God is opening doors that no government can close.

Over the past three years, God has given us strategic relationships, connections, and opportunities to serve and encourage Christian leaders working carefully in these challenging environments. We have witnessed firsthand that the Gospel continues to advance even where the Church must operate quietly and under great pressure.

Recently, we gathered key leaders from Djibouti, Somaliland, Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia for a strategic meeting. One of the participants was Pastor Eyob Arefayine, a young disciple from Eritrea who has faithfully been serving Eritrean refugee churches in Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, and other locations.

During our time together, we heard deeply encouraging testimonies from Eritrean believers who have endured severe persecution for more than 30 years. Their stories reminded us that suffering has not silenced the Church. Instead, their perseverance has become a powerful testimony of the faithfulness of God.

One of the most remarkable testimonies was how God is even using Christians inside prisons. Despite imprisonment and persecution, believers continue to share their faith, and people are coming to Christ in places where the Gospel seems impossible to proclaim. What the enemy intends for suffering, God is using for the advancement of His Kingdom.

Our strategic gathering was not simply a meeting, it was an opportunity to listen, pray, discern, and seek God’s direction for the next season. Together, we developed important strategies for continuing to strengthen, encourage, and support the underground Church in Eritrea and other challenging contexts across the Horn of Africa.

As part of this next step, Pastor Eyob is planning to travel to Eritrea next month to meet with, serve, encourage, and strengthen Christian leaders there. This is a significant opportunity, and we are asking our partners and prayer supporters to stand with us in prayer.

We are deeply grateful for partners who stand with us through prayer, encouragement, and strategic support. Together, we believe that no nation is beyond the reach of God’s grace and that no barrier is greater than the power of the Gospel.

The doors may appear closed to us, but they are never closed to God. The Church may be persecuted, but the Gospel cannot be imprisoned.

Please join us as we continue to pray, serve, and make disciples across the Horn of Africa trusting God to build His Church in places where many would say it is impossible.

2.The Movement of Equipping and Empowering Young Leaders Continues!

Kalu, one of the young disciple makers we have had the privilege of discipling, equipping, and mentoring, recently gathered 30 emerging young leaders from six different churches in Adamafor a three-day training focused on the importance of spiritual and ministry discipline.

It was a tremendous blessing and joy to witness someone we once discipled and invested in now doing the same in the lives of others. This is the heart of disciple-making multiplication: those who have been equipped become equippers; those who have been discipled become disciple makers.

Kalu is doing an excellent job mobilizing a disciple-making movement among young people across churches in the region. Through his leadership, these young believers are being challenged not only to grow in their relationship with Christ but also to embrace the discipline, character, and commitment required to serve God faithfully and influence others.

The training was deeply engaging and transformative. The theme, teaching, and discussion sessions created a safe environment where the young leaders could openly share their personal struggles, ministry challenges, and questions. They encouraged one another, learned from one another, and were challenged to pursue greater spiritual maturity and effectiveness in ministry.

One of the most powerful moments was the extended time of prayer. As the young leaders sought God together, many were deeply touched, strengthened, and renewed in their faith and calling. We trust that what God began in those three days will continue to bear fruit in their lives, their churches, and throughout the region.

Praise God for the multiplication of disciples and leaders! We are grateful to our partners who continue to pray, give, and stand with us in this ministry. Your investment is helping us equip a new generation of Christ-centered leaders who will, in turn, disciple and equip others.

The movement continues from disciple to disciple maker, from one leader to many, and from one church to many churches. To God be all the glory!

Praise & Prayer Items

Praise God for:

• Opening the opportunities to serve and strengthen His Church in the Horn of Africa, even in countries where Christian ministry is highly restricted.
• Eritrean Christians who have remained faithful to Christ through more than 25 years of persecution, including those who continue witnessing for Christ even in prison.
• Raising young leaders like Pastor Eyob and for bringing key leaders from Eritrea, Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, and Ethiopia together for strategic ministry.
• Kalu, whom we discipled and mentored, is now equipping others and mobilizing young disciple makers.
• The 30 young leaders from six churches in Adama who were equipped through three days of spiritual and ministry discipline training.
• The spiritual transformation during the training, especially through open discussions and powerful prayer that encouraged and renewed many young leaders.

Please pray for:

• Pastor Eyob’s upcoming ministry in Eritrea; pray for God’s protection, wisdom, guidance, and favor as he travels to meet and encourage underground Christian leaders.
• The persecuted Church; Pray for strength, courage, protection, and endurance for believers and leaders facing persecution and imprisonment for their faith.
• Multiplication of the Gospel; Pray that God will continue to open doors, raise disciple-makers, and multiply healthy churches throughout Eritrea and the wider Horn of Africa.
• Fruitful multiplication that these 30 leaders will disciple others and reproduce the movement in their churches and communities.
• Kalu and other young disciple makers for wisdom, strength, faithfulness, and continued effectiveness as they equip the next generation.
• A new generation of Christ-centered servant leaders in Ethiopia who will faithfully carry the Gospel and make disciples across churches and communities.

Rev. Samson W.M

Unite 4 Africa & Ethiopia Director