Ethiopia Update – October 2024
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