Transforming Lives in Wonji-Showa: A Milestone Achievement
Wonji-Showa, a small town in the Oromia region of central Ethiopia, is home to approximately 40,000 people, including residents from neighboring villages. For the past two decades, Unite 4 Africa, in partnership with Emmanuel United Church, has been instrumental in transforming lives through its school projects. Thousands of students have been supported, equipped, and rehabilitated through our ministry, bringing hope and opportunities to the community.
This year, we have achieved a significant milestone in partnership with our Korean friends by addressing a long-standing community need—the establishment of a bakery house. Previously, Wonji-Showa had no bakery, and residents had to travel 25 kilometers to Adama to buy bread. The absence of a local bakery posed challenges, particularly for school children and vulnerable families.
The vision for this project began when we prepared a proposal and shared it with our Korean partners. In June last year, a Korean missionary couple, Paul and Susan Park, attended our baptism event, Dr. Okongo also met them during that time with his mission team and he encouraged them to pursue their vision for our community.
2. Sadly, after returning to Korea, Missionary Susan fell ill and went to be with the Lord in October 10th /2024.
In her loving memory, her husband, Paul Park, and GBM ministry made the heartfelt decision to fund the bakery project as a lasting legacy.
By the grace of God, within just less than four months, we completed this transformative project. The initiative involved constructing the bakery house, purchasing essential bakery machinery, and securing a high-power generator to ensure continuous production. On February 18, 2025, we joyfully inaugurated the bakery, marking a new chapter of self-sufficiency and nourishment for the community.
This bakery has the capacity to produce thousands of loaves of bread daily, providing nutritious food for our school orphans and the wider community. It stands as a sign to God’s provision and the commitment of our partners. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Korean partners for their generous support and for making this vision a reality. To God be the glory for this incredible blessing!
3. Celebrating Ethiopian Christmas with Orphans and Vulnerable Children
On January 7th, 2025, our local church, Ayer Tena Emmanuel United Church, celebrated Ethiopian Christmas with orphans and vulnerable children living in Zenebe-Work, a community traditionally known as “Qoshe,” the landfill area, which translates literally to “Trash.”
Over 500 children and teenagers from the community attended and were profoundly impacted by this celebration. A variety of meaningful activities were organized, including:
Sharing the Word of God: Our local pastor, Mekbib, delivered a powerful message, and as a result, 11 individuals from the community accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
Serving Lunch: We provided a warm, nourishing meal for all 500 children and teenagers.
Bible Verse Memorization Competition: We held a contest to encourage engagement with Scripture and rewarded the winners.
Sharing Cakes and Fellowship: Everyone enjoyed sweet treats and participated in other fun activities that brightened their day.
The joy and gratitude among the children and their families were overwhelming. For many, it was a day they will never forget. Aklilu, one of the children, shared, “Since my friends and I are very poor, we wouldn’t have been able to celebrate this holy day like this if it weren’t for your help. Otherwise, we would have spent the day hungry, as usual.”
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ethiopia-march-2025-10.jpg363640Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2025-03-20 19:18:412025-03-20 19:20:39Ethiopia Update – March 2025
Standing Firm in the Face of Persecution: A Call to Prayer for Yikdem Getachew
One morning, Pastor Mulat Siyoum, our regional leader in Western Arsi and Bale, received a distressing phone call from Yikdem Getachew, one of our dedicated church planters in the village of ABELLA—a predominantly Muslim community.
With urgency in his voice, Yikdem reported that a group of extremist Muslims had attacked their church, setting it on fire. As the flames engulfed the small church shade hall, he was confronted and threatened, forcing him to flee for his life. He made the call while hiding in the nearby bush, uncertain of what would happen next.
Our Leaders visit the burnt the Church in ABELLA Village
But then, something remarkable happened. By the grace of God, the fire did not fully consume the church hall—it simply stopped burning on its own. Many in the village were astonished, unable to explain how the flames ceased before completely destroying the church shade hall. For the believers, this was nothing short of a miracle and a testament to God’s protection.
Despite the ongoing threats, Yikdem remains steadfast in his calling. He has chosen to stay in the village, unwavering in his commitment to proclaim the Gospel, even in the face of danger. His faith is unshaken, and his heart is set on being faithful to Jesus—no matter the cost.
As he continues to stand firm in the midst of fear and uncertainty, Yikdem urgently asks for the prayers of all our partners. Please pray for his safety, courage, and endurance—that he may remain faithful to Christ until the very end.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10
Empowering Leaders for Lasting Impact in Southern Ethiopia
Training and equipping leaders remains one of our top priorities in ministry. We firmly believe that when leaders are healthy—spiritually, emotionally, and strategically—their churches and communities will also thrive.
Recently, we had the privilege of training 40 key leaders from 21 different churches and denominations in Arbaminch, a town in the southern region of Ethiopia. The training focused on “Exploring and Implementing the Jesus Way of Developing Leaders and Making Disciples.” Our goal is not just to provide information but to cultivate transformation by helping leaders return to Jesus’ model of leadership and disciple-making.
Training our Leaders
Unlike many training programs that are a one-time event, our approach is not a “hit-and-run” training. We are committed to an ongoing process that includes follow-up coaching, implementation support, and mentoring sessions to ensure that the movement continues to grow and bear fruit.
We were honored to have Mengistu Boshe, the Regional Secretary of the Ethiopian Evangelical Believers Council, attend the training. In his remarks, he emphasized the significance of this movement, describing it as a unique and divinely inspired initiative to revive the church and guide leaders back to Jesus’ way of ministry and disciple-making. His endorsement reaffirms the importance of this work and the profound impact it can have in the region.
We want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, supporters, and prayer warriors. Your prayers, generosity, and encouragement enable us to continue equipping leaders who will, in turn, transform their churches and communities.
Thank you for standing with us in this vital mission!
Together, we are raising leaders and making disciples—Jesus’ way.
Praise and Prayer Requests
Dear Friends and Family of Unite 4 Africa,
We are deeply grateful for your continuous prayers and unwavering support for our ministry. Your partnership strengthens us as we strive to advance God’s Kingdom. As we move forward in this mission, we invite you to join us in lifting the following praises and prayer requests before the Lord:
Pray for Persecuted Believers in Ethiopia – Please intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing persecution for their faith. May God protect them and their families, grant them courage and endurance in their trials, and fill them with His peace and strength.
Pray for Our Leaders and Churches – Ask God to transform the lives of the leaders we serve through our training programs. May He equip them with wisdom, empower their ministries, and bring renewal to their churches as they seek to fulfill His calling.
Pray for the Upcoming Baptism Event – In February, we will witness a powerful step of faith as more than 1000 new believers publicly declare their commitment to Christ through baptism. Pray that the Holy Spirit strengthens them, deepens their faith, and empowers them to grow as faithful disciples.
Your prayers and support mean the world to us. Thank you for standing with us as we labor together for His glory. May God bless you abundantly!
Samson Weldemariam /Rev./
Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
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As the year came to a close, we were reminded of the profound message of peace that entered the world over two thousand years ago in Bethlehem. This peace, embodied in the humble birth of Christ, is not merely the absence of conflict but the restoration of what is broken into wholeness.
As Unite 4 Africa, we witness this transformation every day through our goats and rehabilitation projects. This year, we have seen children who have faced unimaginable loss and trauma take their first steps toward healing and hope. Through the unwavering commitment and love of our team, alongside the faith-filled support of partners like you, lives are being restored.
We are humbled and grateful to share that these children are not only surviving but thriving. They have found belonging within their church communities, renewed hope for their futures, and a sense of purpose rooted in the peace of Christ—the Prince of Peace, who has come to make all things new.
As we reflect on the impact made together last year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our faithful partners. Your support has been instrumental in spreading peace, healing, and hope to those in need.
As we step into the new year, we look forward to continuing this mission together, bringing light and transformation to even more lives.
Happy New Year!
The Impact of Discipleship and Mentorship in our Ministry
As Unite 4 Africa, a ministry dedicated to community transformation, we have witnessed profound changes through our discipleship and mentorship efforts. These initiatives have not only impacted individuals but have also sparked a movement of transformation in communities across Africa. A shining example of this success is Kaleab /Kalu/ Alemu from Ethiopia, a young leader whose journey reflects the power of mentorship and the transformative message of the Gospel.
Dr. Okongo and I have had the privilege of mentoring Kalu since he was a young boy. Through our guidance and support, he has developed into a dynamic leader, now training, discipling, mentoring, and coaching numerous young people in Ethiopia. Kalu is just one among many whom we have invested in, serving as a powerful illustration of how God blesses our efforts in discipleship.
Recently, Kalu returned to his hometown of Wonji, near Adama, to conduct a training event for hundreds of young people. This event was particularly significant, as it took place in the very town where he grew up—a place where he was once known as a “bad boy” with seemingly no hope for the future. His transformation is evidence to the life-changing power of the Gospel.
Youth Training in Wonji
The training focused on vision and time management. Many youths found the session inspiring and committed to becoming individuals who could make a difference in their society. When they hear about Kalu’s transformation, they see firsthand how God can change a person’s story. During the training, Kalu shared his journey of faith and the radical changes that have taken place in his life. Many of his former friends were present, and they were astonished to see the remarkable transformation he has undergone. Kalu’s story served as a living example of God’s power to change lives, reinforcing the message that no one is beyond redemption. After the training, the youth leaders and the church pastor expressed a desire to hold another youth conference with Kalu in the near future in another nearby town by inviting other youths from other churches too.
He also had the opportunity to meet his grandmother who had prayed for him during his difficult years. Their emotional reunion was a powerful moment, filled with gratitude and tears of joy as they thanked God for the incredible work, He has done in Kalu’s life. This encounter highlighted not only Kalu’s personal transformation but also the ripple effect it has on the community, inspiring hope and faith among those who knew him before.
The impact of our discipleship and mentorship efforts through Unite 4 Africa is evident in the lives we have touched, exemplified by Kalu. His journey from a troubled youth to a minister of the Gospel serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God. As we continue to invest in the lives of young leaders, we are confident that many more will rise up to impact their communities and bring about lasting change.
We celebrate the amazing God we serve, who transforms lives and empowers individuals to become blessings to others. Let us remain committed to our mission of community transformation, knowing that with each life changed, we are advancing the kingdom of God.
God’s Amazing Work in South Omo
As we reflect on our outreach work in the South Omo region of Ethiopia, we are filled with gratitude for the tremendous things God is doing among the unreached pastoralist communities. Your prayers and support have been instrumental in this journey, and we are excited to share the latest updates with you.
Over the past two years, we have had the privilege of planting seven new churches in areas such as Karo, Turmi, Dimeka, and Warqaqa. The number of believers in these communities is growing significantly, and we are witnessing lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ready for Baptism
We employ various strategies to reach these communities effectively. One of our most impactful methods is home-to-home visits, where we share biblical stories about Jesus. The cultural tradition of storytelling resonates deeply with the people, and they eagerly listen as we recount the life and teachings of Christ. The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully, touching hearts and leading many to accept Jesus as their Savior.
Prayer time during the visit
In addition to home visits, we leverage open village marketplaces to interact with individuals from various villages. This allows us to spread the message of Jesus beyond a single community, as people take the Good News back to their homes.
Village Market
We also distribute Bibles to those who can read and write. These individuals are encouraged to share the biblical stories with their families and neighbors during evening gatherings, where communities come together to share information, daily activities, and ancestral stories. This creates an environment ripe for spiritual discussion and growth.
Biblical Story Tellers
We haven’t forgotten the children! We gather them under the shade of trees to share captivating stories about Jesus. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and many have come to faith through our ministry.
Children after story telling
We are thrilled to highlight Tesfalem Ersito, our dedicated church planter in the region. With a background as a teacher, Tesfalem has earned the respect and acceptance of the communities he serves. His passion for sharing the Gospel and his commitment to the people have resulted in many lives being changed for the better.
As we look forward to the coming year, we are eager to reach even more communities in the South Omo region. We humbly ask for your continued prayers and support as we prepare to expand our efforts and make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God.
A Decade of Partnership: Equipping Leaders for God’s Kingdom
For over ten years, our ministry has been blessed to partner with TMMI (The Master’s Mission International) Ministry, led by the devoted Pastor Paul Parker. This remarkable collaboration has been instrumental in training and equipping leaders through biblical leadership training and Jesus-style discipleship development.
Following in the footsteps of Jesus, our shared mission is rooted in the commitment to His teachings and the implementation of His Kingdom Gospel. By providing healthy, biblical training, we seek to honor God through raising up leaders dedicated to the church that Jesus is building. The impact of this partnership is profound, as it equips leaders to lead with Christ-like servant hearts and to reproduce disciples who remain faithful to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the past decade, we have trained hundreds of leaders in almost every region of Ethiopia. Currently, we are actively working with about 180 leaders across six strategic groups in Bishoftu (Debre Zeit), Adama (Nazareth), Hawassa, Shashamane, and Arbaminch. Pastor Paul Parker’s unwavering commitment to this mission is evident in his biannual visits to Ethiopia, during which he dedicates himself to ministering to our leaders and providing transformative training.
Through this training, our leaders are being equipped to become Jesus-like disciple-making movement leaders. They, in turn, are empowered to reproduce Christ-centered servant leaders who live and teach the true Gospel—the Christ-centered Kingdom Gospel.
Beyond the training sessions, the fellowship, family spirit, and even the joyful moments we share together have greatly strengthened our bonds of friendship and brotherhood.
Fun time in the mission field
Pastor Mesfin Beyene, our regional leader in Eastern Ethiopia—a predominantly Muslim region—shares how the training has profoundly impacted their ministry. “The training has helped us deeply understand the true Kingdom Gospel, the meaning of the true church, and Jesus’ method of disciple-making, reproducing, and sending out servant leaders to the harvest, all according to the Scriptures.” This testimony underscores the far-reaching impact of our collaborative work and the transformative power of equipping leaders with a clear understanding of the Gospel and Jesus’ methods.
We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to Pastor Paul Parker and his wife, Daisy, for their dedication and unwavering commitment to this mission. Their sacrifice—including covering all the necessary costs for the training—is a true testament to their love for Jesus and His Kingdom. It is a blessing and an honor to serve alongside such a devoted and Christ-centered couple.
Pastor Paul & Daisy Parker
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue this journey of partnership, equipping leaders, and expanding God’s Kingdom together. May God bless Pastor Paul, Daisy, and all our partners for their invaluable contribution to the work of the Gospel in Ethiopia.
Praise and Prayer Requests
Dear friends and family of Unite 4 Africa,
We are grateful for your continuous support and prayers for our ministry. As we move forward in serving God, we would like to share the following praise and prayer items. Please join us in lifting these up to the Lord:
Pray that God will continue to use our leaders powerfully to accelerate the disciple-making movement in their regions. May He equip them to develop and send more servant leaders to the harvest fields.
Pray for all our current and upcoming programs and projects, that God will use them in the coming year to transform lives and impact communities for His glory.
Pray for divine provision to enable us to continue serving Him and advancing His Kingdom without any financial or material burdens.
Pray for the safety and protection of our families and the entire U4A team as we travel across the continent and beyond. May God keep us under His mighty hand.
We deeply appreciate your prayers and partnership as we walk together in His mission. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Samson Weldemariam /Rev./ Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ethiopia-Jan-2025-09.jpg299427Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2025-01-09 10:47:412025-01-09 10:47:41Ethiopia Update – January 2025
In a world where faith can sometimes lead to unimaginable trials, the story of Abera Dechasa stands as a powerful testimony to the strength of Believers and the transformative power of our Gospel of Jesus Christ. Abera, a young Christian man from Adama, Ethiopia, faced a shocking and painful suffering that could have easily put-out his Hope.
As a high school student, Abera’s unwavering faith in Christ put him at odds with his family, leading to a shocking moment when his own father attempted to shoot him. In a chilling act fueled by anger and hate , his father fired nine bullets at Abera, each one a representation of the conflict between faith in Christ and familial loyalty. Despite the danger he faced, Abera’s faith remained unshaken, and he emerged from that traumatic experience with a deepened commitment to his beliefs. After this tragic incident; he ran for his life from his village and came to the nearby town, Adama. Since he did not have a place to stay; he was moving from churches after churches every night to look for a church where there is overnight prayers so that he could spend the night there.
During this challenging time, our ministry stepped in to support Abera. We provided him with essential needs—blankets to keep him warm, food to nourish his body, and cooking oil to sustain him. These simple acts of love and kindness were not just about meeting physical needs; they were expressions of love and solidarity that reminded Abera that he was not alone in his struggle for the sake of Christ.
Fast forward ten years, and Abera has transformed his life in extraordinary ways. With determination and hard work, he graduated from college, defying the odds stacked against him. Today, Abera is not just a survivor; he is a prominent young Christian entrepreneur and investor making waves in Ethiopia. He proudly owns a number of businesses, contributing to the economy and inspiring countless others with his story of resilience. And currently, he is in the process of establishing an organization called ‘African Youth Innovation and Technology Center’ with the aim of training and developing young African entrepreneurs.
During his recent visit to Africa, Dr. Okongo met Abera. And Abera was so excited meeting him and even served Dr. Okongo by transporting all the luggage of our team with his new brand-new truck from Addis Ababa to Adama town. The process of mentoring, coaching and journeying with Abera still continues. And we believe that God will continue lifting up Abera to bless many for His Glory.
Rev. Samson Weldemariam and Abera Dechasa
Abera’s journey is a beautiful illustration of how the faith we have in Christ can triumph over adversity. As we reflect on his incredible transformation, we are filled with gratitude! We thank God for guiding Abera through his darkest days and for the blessings that have followed. His story is not just one of survival; it is a beacon of hope for many who may be facing their own struggles, challenges and sufferings because of their faith in Christ.
In celebrating Abera’s achievements, we are reminded of the power of community support and the importance of standing by those in need. His life serves as an encouragement that, with faith and perseverance, it is possible to rise above challenges and create a brighter future with Jesus.
A Journey of Faith: The Story of Pastor Abera Kumbi and His Son Keol
In the heart of Ethiopia, Pastor Abera Kumbi serves as a dedicated pastor and regional outreach coordinator, passionately spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hope and love in his community. However, his life and ministry have been marked by significant challenges, particularly in his role as a father to his 10-year-old son, Keol, who lives with autism.
Keol’s condition presents daily struggles for Pastor Abera, his wife Gete, and their three daughters. As a non-verbal child, Keol often experiences emotional instability and can display violent tendencies, sometimes biting family members during moments of distress. His unpredictable behavior has led to numerous incidents where he has run away from home, causing fear and concern for his parents as they search for him.
Pastor Abera, determined to provide Keol with the best opportunities for growth, takes on the daunting task of transporting him to school on his motorcycle. Each journey is fraught with anxiety, as Abera worries that Keol might jump off and injure himself. Meanwhile, Keol’s sisters find it difficult to focus on their studies at home. They often have to wait until Keol is settled in bed to complete their homework, as he sometimes disrupts their work by tearing pages from their exercise books and textbooks. The emotional toll on the family is significant, especially for Gete, who has endured physical injuries from Keol’s outbursts.
Despite these challenges, Pastor Abera and Gete remain steadfast in their love for their son. They trust in the Lord for healing and guidance, even as their worries grow with Keol entering his teenage years. His increasing strength and size present new challenges for the family, but their faith remains unshaken.
Our ministry has been privileged to walk alongside Pastor Abera and his family during this difficult journey. We provide psychological support and counseling sessions, helping them navigate the complexities of parenting an autistic child. We also assist with school fees, ensuring that Keol has access to education that can nurture his potential. Recently, we have been working to secure a sponsor to cover his annual school fees, a prospect that has brought excitement and gratitude to Pastor Abera and Gete.
Pastor Abera also finds encouragement through his close relationship with Dr. Okongo, who has been a source of support and wisdom during trying times. The bond they share has strengthened Abera’s resolve and provided him with much-needed guidance.
During a recent visit, I had the honor of spending time with Pastor Abera and Keol. As we gathered for prayer, Abera called on all our partners to lift up his son and the family in prayer, asking for grace and wisdom as they navigate the challenges of raising an autistic child. His heartfelt plea resonated deeply, reminding us all of the importance of community and the power of prayer.
The journey of Pastor Abera and his family is a testament to the strength of love, faith, and resilience. Despite the hurdles they face, they continue to trust in God’s plan, hopeful for the future and committed to raising Keol with the care and compassion he deserves. Together, they embody the spirit of perseverance and the belief that, with support and faith, even the most challenging circumstances can be met with grace.
Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for the simple acts of faith and love that can impact many lives.
Praise God for our young leaders like Abera Dechasa who are becoming the hope of the nation.
Continue pray for Pst. Abera and his son Keol and for all the family that the Grace of God flows in their lives to go through in this hardship in their lives.
Pray for our community works that God would continue using it to impact many lives in the future.
Samson Weldemariam /Rev./ Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
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1.The Contribution of our Ministry to the Global Mission
Dr. Okongo, Shyla and I participated in the 4th Lausanne Global Congress that was held in Incheon, South Korea from September 22 – 28, 2024. More than 5,000 Global leaders gathered together for a week with the theme of “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ TOGETHER.”
We have had the opportunity of sharing the main contributions and significance of our ministry’s work in the Global Mission context with other leaders in various platforms. Specially, Dr. Okongo led and facilitated many meetings in different ministry streams and the impact was amazing.
What a celebration!
We shared how our ministry efforts as they align with broader goals and how they impact communities worldwide. We discussed the programs that we have that address local needs, such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. We also shared many success stories that illustrate the impact of these initiatives.
We have outlined our approaches to sharing the Gospel and nurturing spiritual growth. We highlighted our church planting efforts and evangelistic outreaches that have reached diverse populations in Africa and beyond. We have also described how we mobilize, network and partner with other churches, organizations, or ministries that enhance our collective Global Mission efforts. We highlighted collaborative projects and shared resources that amplify our impacts. We have mentioned our Global Engagement in Cross-Cultural Missions and shared our experiences from mission trips, including how our ministry has engaged with different cultures and communities. We emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity and mutual respect.
Let the Church Declare and Display Christ TOGETHER
We have explained how we, as Unite 4 Africa equip local leaders through training programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives that foster leadership development and spiritual maturity of grass root frontline leaders.
Finally, we have shared our approach towards Sustainability and Long-Term Impact. We have highlighted our initiatives that focus on sustainable development, ensuring that our contributions have lasting effects on communities. The people we met were amazed by what God has been doing through our ministry and would like to know more about us and have showed interest to collaborate and partner with us. Glory to be God!!!
2.Empowering, Equipping and Preparing the Next Generation’s Younger Leaders
Equipping, empowering, and preparing the next generation of new emerging young Christian leaders is one of our programs that we do as Unite 4 Africa. It involves intentional strategies that nurture their spiritual, personal, and leadership development.
As Dr. Okongo always says, ‘It is what we receive that we can give.’ We receive love, care and mentorship from him and now we are giving it out to other younger leaders. Kalu and I facilitated this training and workshop to those younger Christian leaders who represented 7 denominations and churches in Adama town, Ethiopia. 15 younger leaders participated in this training.
Time of prayer and reflection with our young leaders
This training focused on leadership skills from a Christian perspective, including servant leadership, conflict resolution, team building, and vision casting and Disciple -Making the Jesus way. We have also developed mentorship relationships with them where we can guide them in their faith, helping them to grow in their understanding of Scripture, prayer, and spiritual disciplines.
3.The Provision of Water Tanks Changes the lives of students in our schools.
Providing water tanks to church schools in Africa can have a profound impact on the lives of our students and the surrounding communities. According to Pastor Tegene Asnake, one of our leaders in Wonji-showa town, Ethiopia; access to clean and safe drinking water reduces the incidence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. This leads to healthier students, fewer absences, and improved overall well-being. He also shared his experiences with us during our recent visit to our school saying that; ‘availability of water facilitates better hygiene practices, including handwashing, which is crucial in preventing the spread of illness and maintaining health in our school.’
Our kids are enjoying
During my recent visit to Wonji-showa, I also did a short interview with Mulu, the wife of Pastor Tegene and she said in her part that; ‘with reliable access to clean water, students are more likely to attend school regularly, leading to better educational outcomes and higher retention rates. She noted that, when students are no longer preoccupied with the daily struggle to find water, they can focus more on their studies, participate actively in class, and engage in extracurricular activities.’
We also have observed that the provision of water tanks often encourages community involvement and fosters a sense of ownership among local families. This can lead to collaborative efforts to maintain water infrastructure and promote hygiene education. Water tanks ensure that schools have a consistent supply of water for both drinking and sanitation needs, which is vital for the operation of school facilities, especially during dry seasons.
Schools with reliable water sources can attract more students, as parents are more likely to enroll their children in a school that provide essential services. Church schools often integrate spiritual teachings with education. Providing clean water aligns with our call to serve others and can enhance the spiritual mission of our schools, teaching students the importance of caring for their neighbors.
In conclusion; by providing water tanks to our church schools in Africa, we are not only addressing a critical need for clean water but also empowering students and communities, enhancing health and education, and fostering long-term development. This initiative exemplifies how our practical support can lead to transformative change, aligning with both humanitarian goals and the mission of the Church.
4.Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for the ministry for opening doors to contribute to the Global Mission.
Praise God for our young leaders for equipping them to be the next generation leaders.
Continue pray for our schools and students that God would continue to provide for their current needs of preparing Laboratory rooms and all the necessary equipment.
Pray for our global partners – may God continue strengthening our partnership and collaborative work together.
Samson Weldemariam /Rev./
Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ethiopia-October-2024-1.jpg252515Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2024-10-11 06:19:222024-10-11 08:12:05Ethiopia Update – October 2024
God does not discriminate based on physical abilities, and He can work through anyone who is willing to follow His call and serve others. With the right support and encouragement, physically challenged individuals can be powerful agents of change and inspiration in the church and beyond. Ultimately, God can use anyone, regardless of their physical limitations, to fulfill His purposes and bring glory to His name.
A 34 years old Shamble Abdo is among those who got baptized in our mass baptism event that was held in June/2024 in Bishoftu/Deberezet, Ethiopia. He was from the small village called Golbo – Gobessa in Adama district and he is not be able to walk since birth due to an unidentified reason. He uses crutches to help him to walk.
Shamble was so excited when got baptized
God is using him amazingly to lead many to Christ in his village and its surroundings. Currently, he is leading a home church in his parents’ compound.
Shamble is a live witness who testifies that God can use physically challenged people and spread His message across many villages in his region. He has brought a great transformation in the belief system of many communities that people with disabilities have unique gifts and talents that can be used to serve God and build up His church.
2.Addressing the Needs of the Community Opens the Door of Evangelism.
Addressing the needs of the community is an essential aspect of evangelism because it demonstrates love and care for others in a tangible way. When people see that Believers are actively involved in meeting the needs of the community, it can create opportunities for sharing the message of the Gospel.
By serving others and showing compassion, Believers can build relationships with those in the community and earn their trust. This opens the door for conversations about faith and allows for the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Shuferu Badada is one of our leaders and serving in the location called Dibibisa – Wachulafa around Adama area. He is one of our trainees and practitioner in our approach of Evangelism called CHE / Community Health Evangelism/ emphasizing building relationships and empowering local leaders to address their community’s needs.
By working alongside community members to address health and agricultural challenges, CHE practitioners can earn the trust and respect of the community, making it easier to share the Gospel message in a culturally relevant and respectful manner.
The Church members are helping the community in. their farmland
Likewise, Pastor Shuferu mobilizes his church members and helping the Boti -Tedecha community in their farming in the work of clearing of weeds from their farm. As they were doing that; they were sharing the Gospel with them.
People are responding to the message of the Gospel and accepted the Lord
As a result of that, 47 people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior just in this month and planted a new local church. Glory to be God!
3.Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for His salvation and drawing many people to Him in our region.
Praise God for our leaders who are committed to God and spread the Gospel in so many ways.
Continue to pray for our newly planted churches in various villages in our region; and that God would cause them to grow spiritually and be equipped for the work of the Kingdom.
Pray for our farmers and for their farm that God would bless the works of their hands and their farm so that they may get good harvest from their farm.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/
Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GhanaAugust2024-1.jpg743720Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2024-09-09 01:13:002024-09-09 00:22:26Ethiopia Update – September 2024
Follow up Leadership & Discipleship Training in Wolayita Sodo
Follow-up training for church leaders is important for ensuring their ongoing development, effectiveness, and well-being in ministry. It helps them stay current, adapt to changing contexts, receive support and accountability, and grow spiritually as they continue to serve their congregations and communities.
The town Wolayita Sodo is one of our training and outreach hubs in Ethiopia. Dr. Okongo initiated and started this training a couple of years ago for hundreds of church leaders in the Southern Region of Ethiopia from more than 22 churches and denominations.
Since that time, we as U4A -Ethiopia, have been conducting the follow-up trainings and the impact is significant in the lives and ministry of our leaders. Pastor George Goa, the Chairman of the Southern Region of the Ethiopian Evangelical Churches Fellowship/EECFE/ said that the training has been helping them to enhance their spiritual lives as leaders and the effectiveness of their ministry. He also said that the training provides a platform for accountability and support for church leaders. It allows them to reflect on their ministry practices, receive feedback from each other, and access resources and guidance to address challenges they may be facing. According to Pastor George; after they take the trainings, they go out and train hundreds of leaders in their districts and sub-districts of the regions.
Leadership & Discipleship Training in Wolayita Sodo
Visiting our Persecuted Local Church Leaders in Ethiopia
Visiting persecuted local churches is an important way to show support, provide comfort, build relationships, and grow spiritually. It is a tangible way to live out the call to love and care for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing persecution.
Dr. Okongo and his team from Oro Valley Church of Nazarene recently came to Ethiopia. Besides doing so many other outreach activities; they visited our persecuted church leaders. By so doing; they showed solidarity with those who are facing discrimination, violence, or other forms of persecution in their respective areas. Our leaders were so blessed and got excited because their visit helped them know that they are not alone in their struggle and that others care about their well-being.
Dr. Okongo and Pastor David shared the Word of God and provided encouragement and comfort to those who are facing difficult circumstances and lifted their spirits and to give them hope for the future.
This visit was a spiritually enriching experience for the team also. It helped the team members to deepen their faith and understanding of the global Body of Christ, and inspire a greater commitment to stand with those who are persecuted for our beliefs.
Warm welcoming of Dr. Okongo and his team by our Regional Coordinator
We are always grateful to Dr. Okongo for the heart that he has for our leaders and persecuted Believers. We are witness that he always supports them in any way he can in their life journey and he is very much loved by them.
Praise and Prayer Items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for the life and ministry skill development of our leaders through various trainings.
Praise God for our leaders who stand firmly in their faith in Christ through various persecutions.
Continue to pray for our leaders who are going through various persecutions because of their faith in Christ.
Pray for our Disciple-making movement that God would grow it to impact many leaderships and churches across the country and beyond.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/ Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/EthiopiaAugust2024-4.jpg480640Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2024-08-07 15:51:042024-08-09 12:11:56Ethiopia Update – August 2024
Just few weeks ago; God has given us a great harvest again and we were able to baptize another 800 people in Lake Kuriftu in the town of Bishoftu, Ethiopia. What a great joy to see those precious souls receiving the Gospel of the Kingdom, repent and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and getting in to the lake and got baptized. Those people have walked from 15 – 20KM to reach their designated spot and we have transported them by buses to get them to the Lake in Bisfhotu from those spots.
Our leaders are highly devoted to teach and lead them to the way of the Lord to be Jesus’s true disciples. This is the result of our Disciple – making movements in Jesus’s way that we are doing across the country.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support to help the Gospel to be spread to the most unreached people groups in Ethiopia and Africa.
Great Baptism Event in Bishoftu, Ethiopia – June/2024
School Feeding program in our school Wonjishowa
The OVCN / Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene/ Mission team led by Dr. Okongo and Pastor David came to Africa and made a very successful Vision trip a few weeks ago. One of the places and projects that they visited was our school in Wonjishowa.
The team was amazed by what God has been doing in the midst of this poverty-stricken village. The team involved themselves in our school feeding program and it was a great blessing to see all of them to carry a plate of rice and serve those little children a meals for their lunch.
We have 380 children / Orphans & Vulnerable / that we feed breakfast & lunch every day in our school.
Thank you so much all for your prayers, visit and support!
Serving the little ones
Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for the salvation of 800 people.
Praise God for the ministry of Unite 4 Africa; God has caused our ministry to grow year by year in many aspects of our ministry in different nations of the world.
Pray for those who have got baptized that may God would cause them to grow in their faith and become salt and light to their respective communities.
Pray for our school in Wonjishowa that we may be able to continue serve our children, to feed and empower more and impact the community more.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/ Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ethiopia-July_files_0003.jpg480640Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2024-07-09 15:14:302024-07-09 15:15:14Ethiopia Update – July 2024
Mrs. Gishu Getachew was a wife of Pastor Roba Tuffa who lost his life last year for the sake of Christ and the Gospel as a martyr. The loss of Pastor Roba has deeply shaken us all. We were grieved at the untimely passing of a dedicated and compassionate leader. He touched the lives of many with his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering faith for Christ.
He left his five children with his wife. Dr. Okongo realized that life will be difficult for this family particularly for Gishu unless we intervened and helped this widow. He supported her and we bought a cow for her. Now, her cow has started reproducing and Gishu is helping her family by selling milk. She said that God has comforted her by His saints and by the U4A team.
Sister Gishu is milking one of her cows
Pastors’ Wives Empowerment
Empowering Pastors’ Wives is one of the programs that we do as U4A to transform our communities. Hiwot Tesfaye and Ayantu Regassa are some of the beneficiaries among many others. Both of them together with their families; had been suffering with deep poverty.
We supported Hiwot to start this small business of a beauty salon. God blesses the seed-money we supported her with and her business as well. Her business is growing and she is now able to help support herself with her husband and her family.
Ayantu in this small business of selling garments. She is also thankful to God and our team because now she able to help herself along with her husband and her family without having added life pressure.
Hiwot & Ayantu at their work place
Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for opening the door of opportunity to empower and bless our women.
Praise God for the leadership and wisdom that He has placed in the life and ministry of Dr. Okongo. Many strategic directions have birthed out from him.
Pray for our women that may God would continue bless them and give them wisdom as they are doing in this small business.
Pray for the upcoming Tucson team coming for a vision trip to Africa and to be part of a mass baptism event. We are preparing to welcome and host the team from USA in June/2024.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/
Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image1-1.jpg278320Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2024-05-21 14:39:342024-05-21 14:39:36Ethiopia Update – May 2024
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6)
Dear friends and family of Unite 4 Africa, I humbly invite you to join us in boldly praying this year for God’s Kingdom to come through Christlike, servant-hearted leaders.
1. Equipping “Least Accessed Leaders”
By “least accessed,” we mean those with least access to Christian leadership trainings, coaching, mentorship and resources. Barriers can include geography, language, poverty or even culture. While we may live in a place with an abundance of Christian leadership materials, many leaders have never even heard the term “servant leadership.”
Until leaders like Dr. Okongo and his leadership team are shown that leading like Jesus is possible, they often follow “big boss” cultural models. But when leaders put their own interests first – whether in a church, hospital, business or nonprofit – their mission struggles and everyone around them suffers. However, when leaders are offered training, mentoring and encouragement to lead with servant hearts, there’s no limit to what they can do.
Often, least accessed places are also those with the least access to the gospel, making U4A work especially strategic. Not only does serving Christian leaders in these areas equip them to share the gospel, but it ensures that young churches are led with integrity and effectiveness.
By the end of the year 2022 Dr. Okongo was prayerfully led by the Holy spirit to go to the town called Wolayita Sodo, the southern region of Ethiopia and did a very successful mission outreach there together with his team. One of the packages of our mission outreach was training, coaching and mentoring leaders. Even after the mission outreach ended, Dr. Okongo has understood the needs of equipping leaders and went back by carrying all those “Least Accessed Leaders” in the region within his heart and the Holy Spirit continues speaking to him to do a follow up work. And now we are seeing the fruits what Dr. Okongo and his team have planted a couple of years ago.
Church Leaders Training by Dr. Okongo in Wolayita Sodo two years ago.
Pastor George Goa, the Chairman of the Regional Evangelical Churches Fellowship has received the training from Dr. Okongo and Rev. Samson Weldemariam and has called many other leaders from the surrounding towns and villages and trained more than 100 leaders so far.
Pastor George Goa trains the leaders in Wolayita Sodo
What a blessing to see the growth of our movement and keep touching many more leaders in various towns and villages. And all of this is because of your partnership. You enable us to come alongside leaders in some of the most isolated – yet most strategic – places in Africa and beyond, equipping these men and women to become servant-hearted agents of change. Thank you for believing in us and investing in the lives of many leaders across Africa and beyond through our ministry Unite 4 Africa.
2. Our “Dignity Pads for School Girls “Project is Transforming Many Lives
Tsion Shambel is a 10th grade student. She is 17 years old and lives with her grandmother in Wonji-Showa town. In our recent visit to Wonji-Showa; she gave us her powerful testimony of how this project has transformed her life. According to her testimony; since she lives in a deep poverty; she couldn’t afford and did not have access to take care of herself during the week of the time.
She added that she even did use unclean ordinary pieces of cloth or rags to keep herself clean, which is not safe and good for her health. She also said that she used to stay at home for days and even a week and missed many classes and exams. This affected her study significantly. She couldn’t continue sharing her story because she was so emotional and tears covered her face and she said ‘it was tough … it was tough’.
Dignity pad distribution
This is what lives of many young girls look like in many places in Ethiopia and Africa. But, thanks to God, this project has been changing the lives of many school girls in Ethiopia and Africa. Like Tsion many girls are doing great in their schooling now with a strong confidence and boldness with no shame. Some mini-studies show that girls have become more competent with boys in their results according to their report card. This was totally unthinkable before this project started in our schools.
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and generosity. May God bless you all abundantly.
3. Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for all our leaders for the opportunity they have received for the leadership training, coaching and mentoring.
Praise God for the impact that is being exhibited in the lives many young school girls through our dignity pad project.
Pray for our leadership development program so that it would continue impacting many more leaders.
Pray for our dignity pad project that God would continue use it to transform many lives.
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Another Great Mass Baptism Event & The Impact of The Gospel
A 75-year-old man, Taddese Metaferia, is one of the new converts who got baptized in our mass -baptism event together with other group of more than 700 people. He was a Chief community leader and hard-core persecutor in the village called Boffa and its surrounding area. By mobilizing the communities in the region, he was known by beating many of our leaders repeatedly and violently hurt and injured our leaders and church planters. He also put many of them in jail; abused and traumatized them several times. He had been doing this for more than 25 years.
But, recently by the miraculous intervention of the Lord in his life; he came to know the Lord, repented and accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and personal Savior and got baptized. Pastor Taddesse, our regional leader, was so excited and he couldn’t believe the conversation of this old man. Mostly because he was one of the victims in his early years of ministry in that region. We, together with Pastor Taddesse and other leaders, thanked God and praised the Lord for the salvation of this old man and celebrated his baptism with great joy.
Pastor Taddesse with former Persecutor
No words can express how much we thank God for His Grace and Salvation. We were witnesses to see more than 700 people from teenagers to elderly get baptized in Bishoftu/ Deberezeit/ town in the lake called Kuriftu.
Few pictures of baptisms
We have helped them to rent many buses to transport them from their respective areas to the lake. We have also given out Bibles to feed their spiritual lives and bread and a bottle of water for their body.
Donation of Bibles & sharing meals
Visiting our Village Churches in Southern Region
Pastor Moses is one of our leaders in the Southern region together with Pastor Chachi, our regional coordinator and serving as a pastor in our local Church called Boditi town. The impact of our outreach with Dr. Okongo last year in that region has brought a huge inspiration to Pst. Moses.
By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pst. Moses together with his local church team went out and plant two more churches in the surrounding villages of his town. I visited one of the churches in the community called Hangaza Offa. I encouraged them and prayed for them. I have seen the new structure of their local church with the capacity of 200 hundred people.
We thank God for the church planting and disciple-making movement that is taking place in this region.
Visiting our Village Church in Wolayita- Boditi area
Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for all the people who just got baptized.
Praise God for the Church Planting and Disciple – Making movements that are taking place in the country that draw many people to Jesus.
Pray for all those new believers who recently got baptized that God would help them to grow spiritually and follow Jesus daily with obedience.
Pray for our Kingdom workers that God would give them wisdom and strength to make many more disciples in their regions.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/
Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
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I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the partnership and collaboration we shared in the ministry last year. Together, we were able to make a significant impact in our communities and beyond.
Throughout the past year, our joint efforts in our mission work have touched the lives of many individuals & communities, providing them with hope, support, and the love of Christ. Through various outreach programs, community-based projects, and initiatives, we have witnessed lives transformed and hearts touched by the power of God’s love.
I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for your dedication, commitment, and passion in serving alongside us. Your unwavering support and willingness to go above and beyond have been instrumental in the success of our shared mission last year.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that lie before us in this new year. I believe that together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in our communities & nations and fulfill the call to spread the Gospel message and help them so that they will be empowered to transform their own lives and communities in wholistic ways according to our mission & vision of Unite 4 Africa. Our partnership has proven to be a powerful force for good, and I am confident that as we join hands once again, we will see even greater things accomplished.
The followings are few selected stories from last year that I am sharing with you so that you will see the glimpse of what God is doing among us and you can join us to praise Him for His great work.
1. Empowering Teenage and Young School Girls
Empowering teenage and young school girls is one of our programs among many other. We empower them through education, train them with various life skills and provide them dignity pads.
Teaching & Training
My wife Addiskidan Derib visited our Wonjishowa school and she trained more than 50 school girls about the value of life, the true identity and the importance of having a purposeful life. She also has conducted a number of counseling and healing sessions with many of them and mentored and coached them in various life issues.
Providing Dignity Pads
She also has given out Dignity Pads for more than 50 school girls in Wonjishowa. According to her report; one school girl approached her with tears and said to her that last year when she was in the 6th grade, she decided to drop from the school due to the shame she experienced because of not having a chance to use Dignity Pads. She was even absent for 2 weeks from the school. But, as a result of this Empowerment project, she resumed her schooling and she is thankful to God. Currently, she is a student in grade 7 and she doing well in her schooling. We thank God!!!
Joyful School girls
2. Launching Christian Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs Meeting and Training in Adama/Nazareth/.
This is one of our programs to empower our Christian Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs. We selected 15 key business leaders in Adama and launched this 7-week training called ‘How to Start a Sustainable and Effective business.’
Training Session
We are receiving very encouraging testimonies about this training from the participants. Most of them are saying that this training helps our business people by giving them knowledge and skill of how to do business in God’s way. Currently, they are taking the 4th lessons according to the design of the training.
3. Praise and Prayer items
Praise God for all our young generation in all our schools for their hunger for God.
Pray for all our schools and young people that God would continue empowering them through various ways so that they will be equipped.
Pray for our business people that God would use them for His glory and impact our communities.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/ Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
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I hope you’re all doing well in God’s grace and have enjoyed the holiday season!
We are doing really well by God’s grace here in Ethiopia, Africa. Our African leadership team and our leaders across Ethiopia have been sharing lots of encouraging and transformative stories on how God uses our ministry in this ending year. It brings me great joy to see, to hear and to be a witness to how God is doing the great work that is transforming countless individuals, communities and several Nations at large.
The work is truly in great hands and I believe the best lies ahead. Our leadership team is developing in every region of the country, passion is high, there is momentum, people are getting saved and the church is growing and we celebrated thousands of baptisms this year alone, praise God!
I want to thank each of you again for your partnerships over the years in our work in Africa. Through your prayers and faithful generosity, the work is going well and continuing to move forward.
The followings are few selected stories that I am wanting to share with you so that you will see a glimpse of what God is doing among us and you can join us to praise God Him for His great work.
1. Dr. Okongo’s Visit to Ethiopia
The founder and President of our ministry Dr. Okongo together with his wife Shyla visited Ethiopia and ministered to us in various ways. The purpose of the visit was to speak at the Lausanne Africa & Middle East Summit that is held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to encourage, mentor and coach our leaders, oversee our work and to give direction for the upcoming new year.
During their stay with us; God used Dr. Okongo & Shyla to facilitate several healing sessions for individuals, marriages and families. Through their healing ministry; wounded hearts got healed and relationships have been restored. We give all the Glory to God.
And again Dr. Okongo visited the land that we got recently and the project that we are planning to implement on that plot of land. We aim to construct a multi-purpose building on that plot of land that will be used for a training center, guesthouse and for our offices. Dr. Okongo gave us very important advice and direction on how to utilize this land properly and effectively. He also prayed for us for the provision and the wisdom of God to be upon us as we plan and implement this project.
Dr. Okongo Prayed right on the plot of Land and gave us directions
2. From Persecution to Growth – Jima Church
Jima region is one the persecuted regions in the country. Years ago, our churches suffered a lot due to their faith in Jesus and Dr. Okongo came and visited us right in the middle of the persecution and encouraged us. During the time of his visit; he moved village to villages, home to homes, met the victims, hugged them, cried with them and prayed for them.
Currently the church in the region is getting stronger and stronger in their faith, reaching out to many communities and has planted hundreds of churches within the last few years. I recently visited the region and trained church leaders, encouraged, coached and mentored them. We thank God for His church in the region and the Grace that He has given them to endure in the storm of persecutions.
Leadership Training in Jima town.
3. The Impact of our Ministry in Ethiopian Evangelical Churches – Nationwide.
The impact of our ministry is growing across Ethiopia. I got an invitation to speak on a nationwide summit and share with all key and top Ethiopian leaders on the issue of the core challenges of the churches in Ethiopia.
The response and feedback from the participants were amazing and they want to learn more from our ministry and approached us after the meeting. This is because of the uniqueness of our vision and mission and the approach that U4A uses to impact individuals, churches, communities, ministries and organizations. We thank God for the impact.
4. Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
• Praise God for our Persecuted Churches in the country that are enduring in their faith in Christ in the midst of persecution.
• Pray for our healing ministry that God would continue heals many lives for His Glory.
• Pray for the Ethiopian Churches that God would give the leaders wisdom and discernment so that they will be able address all the challenges that the country is going through.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/
Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
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DMM /Disciple Making Movement Training/ in Diredawa & Harar towns.
These two towns; Diredawa & Harar are close to the boarder of Somalia and Djibouti and predominantly populated by Muslims; they are very strategic locations to reach out to the horn of Africa by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
These leaders and church planters have come from over more than 10 towns in different locations of the region and attended our DMM training. They are the leading of this movement in their local churches and underground home churches.
Since leader recruitment and training is the core of all the other ministry U4A does; we prayerfully and intentionally decide the participants based on their integrity, accountability, responsibility and how they follow Jesus daily in their personal life. 25 leaders and church planters attended our three days training and coaching and it went very well.
DMM Training in Diredawa (Rev. Samson is facilitating the training)
Outreach in the Pastoralist Communities
Pastor Chachi Eshetu is one of our regional leaders in Ethiopia. He is responsible to follow up, lead and direct our movement in the south west of the country. South Omo zone is one of the districts that God has been doing tremendous things in the communities of Hamar, Mursi and Bana.
Pastor Chachi did a mission trip to this region recently to visit, train and encourage our churches and leaders there. He was so excited about the growth of the movement of church planting and disciple making.
Our church has been growing from 1 to 7 other village local churches in those nomadic communities in the past two years. He has become a witness that many lives are being transformed, leaders are being equipped and God glorified. Amen!
Our churches in Dimeka, Hamar communities
Our Church Planting Movement in the Very Challenging Areas
Babille town is one of the most challenging towns in Eastern region of Ethiopia in terms of Mission. The tension from the extremist and fundamentalist groups is so tense in the town. However, nothing and no one can stop the Gospel of Jesus Christ spreading.
Our Church in Harar Arategna area has sent a local missionary and has planted a church. Pastor Mesfin, our regional leader for Eastern Ethiopia, went there and encouraged the church and our leaders there. They were so happy and encouraged by his visit.
This local church has got a vital role to play for the mission that we have for Somalia and the Horn at large and we use it as a hub to prepare, equip and send out to workers to the harvest.
Pastor Mesfin was giving a word of encouragement to the congregation
Praise and Prayer items
The following are praise and prayer request items to pray about with us:
Praise God for the work in the Horn of Africa and for the door He has opened for many communities in the region.
Pray for those Nomadic communities in South Omo zone of Southern Ethiopia for their needs to be met- particularly lack of water- as it is affecting women and children in so many ways.
Pray for our underground leaders in Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia for protection, wisdom and strength to continue reaching out more.
Pray for our DMM movement leaders that God would use them to impact many lives and churches across Africa.
Samson Weldemariam /Pst/ Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A
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Kene-An Zerihun is one of our goats’ project beneficiaries who are from Modjo town, Ethiopia. She received a goat three years ago.
Kene-An & her Sheep
Since she lives in a highland area in her village; the weather is more suitable for sheep than goats and our leaders and care takers have decided to sell the goats and replace it by a sheep. God blessed her sheep and multiplied to 11 now and another three are pregnant again.
She has been covering all the food, cloths, school supplies and school uniforms expenses by selling few of them. Now, she is 7 years old and a grade 1 student.
My Visit with our Underground MBB Leaders in the Horn of Africa
Many agree that approximately 150 people groups inhabit the Horn of Africa, a region including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Northern Kenya.
Unite 4 Africa has given special attention and approach to reach out to the region by focusing on local workers- eliminating the need of cross-cultural training and the assumption that Christian faith is something imported from foreign people outside their reach.
By the end of last month, I met 5 of our key leaders from Djibouti, Somalia and Jigjiga region of Ethiopia who are engaging in the underground work of home church planting and disciple making in the region. I spent 3 days with them coaching, mentoring and training them.
I heard an encouraging good news that this movement grows in the region and reaches in another Pastoralist community called Afar that resides in Djibouti and Ethiopia. I intentionally choose not to share names and pictures of our leaders for security reason; but I would encourage you to thank God for His sovereign power and authority to empower us and give us wisdom and strategy to reach out to this region through the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Savior.
The Horn of Africa is one of the world’s most challenging regions for security and development. It is also a highly significant geostrategic site in every aspect including spiritual. So, I encourage you to continue pray for us and for our underground leaders in the region.
Our work recognized by the mayor of the town
Yirgachefe is one of the strategic towns in the southern region of Ethiopia to reach out the pastoralist communities in the boarder of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. Our church in the town is working on various community projects such as helping the needy, orphans and empowering the youth in the town through various trainings, coaching and mentoring.
Praying for the town and for the mayor
This involvement of the local church has been recognized and appreciated by the mayor and the town government administration. To appreciate, celebrate and thank the mayor and the town administration; our young leader Yosef Zeleke and our regional leader Pastor Behailu Berassa organized a meeting in the church. The mayor said Church has a vital role to play to address the complex issues and challenges of the society. He also added that his office will continue supporting the church in order to accomplish its goals in the community of Yirgachefe town.
Celebration and breaking bread time
We thank God for our leaders who take these initiatives to address the needs of their own community.
Praise and Prayer items
The followings are praises and prayer requests items to pray about with us:
Praise God for the work in the Horn of Africa.
Praise God for the impact of our Goat/ Animal/ Project and for the transformation of many lives through our ministry Unite 4 Africa.
Pray for our underground leaders in Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia for protection, wisdom and strength to continue reaching out more.
https://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ethiopia-Update-Oct-23-4.jpg480640Unite4Africahttps://www.unite4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo.pngUnite4Africa2023-09-29 14:11:552023-09-29 14:23:32Ethiopia Updates – October 2023
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