Ethiopia Update – November 2026

From mentorship to multiplication: U4A’s Ethiopian director reaches youth nationwide through live TV teachings

Kalu, U4A’s Ethiopian Director, has been mentored by Dr. Okongo Samson through U4A and is now leading efforts to advance holistic youth development across Ethiopia. His journey reflects the heart of U4A’s approach: investing in leaders, walking with them through mentorship, and releasing them to serve their communities with vision and purpose. As Ethiopian Director, Kalu is helping to shape initiatives that support young people not only spiritually but also in character, purpose, and leadership, contributing to the broader transformation of communities across the country.

Kalu’s work takes shape through a combination of in-person trainings and vision-sharing gatherings that bring young people and leaders together for encouragement, learning, and shared direction. These gatherings create space for personal growth, relationship-building, and a clearer sense of calling. Alongside these efforts, Kalu has now launched a live teaching program on one of Ethiopia’s well-known evangelical TV channels, expanding the reach of U4A’s message beyond physical gatherings and into homes and communities across the country.

Through this live program, Kalu is streaming teachings on discipline, purpose, and leadership, topics that are vital for young people navigating today’s challenges. The sessions are touching many youths’ lives across Ethiopia, offering practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement that can shape decisions, character, and future direction. Through this broadcast outreach, U4A is helping to support the holistic transformation of the younger generation, complementing its on-the-ground trainings with media that can reach many more people.

Thank you for standing with U4A and making this work possible. Your partnership is helping us mentor leaders, strengthen young people, and extend our reach into communities across Ethiopia. We invite you to continue journeying with us, through prayer, collaboration, and support, as we work together to see the next generation transformed holistically. Together, we are helping raise leaders like Kalu who can carry the vision forward and impact many lives for years to come.

Rev. Dr. Okongo Samson’s October visit strengthens mentorship and formalizes leadership transition in Ethiopia

In October, Rev. Dr. Okongo Samson, Founder of U4A, made a short but highly successful visit to Ethiopia. The visit was designed to provide in-person visitation and mentorship to Kalu, the Ethiopian Director, and his wife, Yanet Seyfu, and to formally announce Kalu’s leadership role to his pastor and denomination leadership.

A decade of mentorship culminates in leadership transition

For more than a decade, Kalu has been engaged in a sustained mentorship and learning journey with U4A. That process has now culminated in Kalu stepping into the directorship role. The October visit gave Rev. Dr. Okongo Samson an important opportunity to meet Kalu and Yanet in person, continue mentoring, and affirm the leadership transition through direct engagement with key stakeholders.

Engaging key stakeholders with transparency

To ensure clarity and transparency around the leadership shift, Rev. Dr. Okongo Samson met with Pastor Samson Weldemariam, Former Director of Ethiopia; Kalu’s family; Kalu’s pastor; Yanet’s family; the President and Board Chairman of the Ethiopian Emmanuel United Church; and other individuals responsible for Kalu’s oversight and support. These meetings brought the leadership decision into the open, ensuring all relevant parties were informed, aligned, and confident in the transition.

A short visit with lasting impact

Although brief, the trip was successful in strengthening relationships, confirming the leadership transition, and laying a clear foundation for Kalu’s continued service as Ethiopian Director. U4A remains committed to supporting local leadership through mentorship, accountability, and transparent partnership.

Rev. Dr. Okongo Samson recently shared a powerful message in Dukem, a city in Oromia. During the session, many attendees were touched by the Holy Spirit and came to Christ. Church leaders expressed their desire to continue this outreach in the future and to partner with U4A.

We give thanks for the fruitful visit and for the continued growth of U4A’s work in Ethiopia.

Praise and prayer requests

Praise God for:

• Kalu’s growing leadership as Ethiopian Director and the impact of his live TV teachings on discipline, purpose, and leadership among young people across Ethiopia.
• Rev. Dr. Okongo Samson’s successful October visit, which strengthened mentorship and formally affirmed Kalu’s leadership transition with key pastors, family, and church leaders.
• The fruitful outreach in Dukem, where many attendees responded to the Gospel and church leaders expressed interest in continued partnership with U4A.
• The transparent, relational way the leadership transition has been handled, and the strong foundation now in place for Kalu’s continued service.

Please pray for:

• Wisdom, strength, and protection for Kalu and his wife, Yanet, as they lead and serve.
• Continued mentorship, accountability, and unity with local pastors and denominational leaders.
• Open doors, favour, and lasting fruit through the live TV broadcasts reaching youth and families across Ethiopia.
• Provision and partnership so U4A can continue supporting holistic youth development and local leadership in Ethiopia.

Written by Kaleab Alemu, Ethiopia Director of U4A