Ethiopa Update – April 2013

The Move of God is still continuing in our region. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is being transformed the lives of many people. The Church of Christ is keep pressing on by bringing an impact in the community through various projects such as: animal projects for orphans & school projects.

In this article, I have selected some of the stories among the above activities and share with you as follows:

 I. Wanjishawa community – youth training.

This training was part of our strategy to tackle the problem of teenage pregnancy and abuse in that community. According to the findings of our assessment, youth unemployment is one of the factors that contribute the problem. So, the aim of the training was to open the eyes of the youth so that they can see the opportunities that they have in their area to start a small business. The topic of the training was Entrepreneurship and 17 youths have taken training. And most of them admitted their ignorance that is waiting for the government to give them job.

Pastor Tegene and the youth in the community

II. Mass Baptism in Awash River.

As we all remember last year, we have baptized 442 people. But this year we are able to baptized 737 new converts in the month of March 2013. The people are from various villages of Welenchity , Boffa and Donni areas. They are all being very well discipled by the local church and every single one of them has taken water baptism in the local river called Awash. The team from USA also participated in this wonderful event and they praised God for his wonderful salvation. Praise God! It is such wonderful news.

Each one of them also received a bible. This has meant so much to these new Christians. Many of them had never seen a bible and tears literally rolled down their faces shed as they took possession of their new bibles and their new life. All Glory to God!

Mass Baptism in Awash River

Celebration on the event and Bible distribution

Bible Distribution

III. General Assembly meeting of Emmanuel United Church

More than 100 church leaders have gathered together in Addis Ababa to praise God and hear reports from all over the country what God has being doing in our country. We had a wonderful time of having fellowship, sharing the word of God and encouraging each other. We have heard from the pastors’ report that the number of churches we have all over the country getting increased and close to 500. This is amazing report and we have agreed that the contribution of Unite 4 Africa has a huge part for this achievement.

Time of Prayer and sharing the Word of God (from left to right: Pastor Tadesse and Pastor Samson)

Pastor Getahun and Pastor Dr. Bezalem sharing the Word of God

Participants of the meeting

IV. Conclusion

This is God’s season for our country Ethiopia. The harvest is very ready but the workers are very few according to the word of God. We need to equip more workers and leaders intentionally. The enemy is also working in various ways to hinder the work of God.

The Extremist Muslim movement creates threats for us and even for the government as well. So, pray on the following issues:

• Because of the Extremist Muslim movement in the Country the government is about to endorse a new law that is said to be this law will solve the problem and bring tolerance among different religion in the country. But, we as Christians are very much concerned about the law because it will affect our work of evangelism and church planting movement in the name of tolerance. So. Pray for us and for our government may God would intervened in this process of endorsing new law.
• Pray for our churches and leaders may God would strengthen them so that they will be able to continue laboring in God’s work regardless of any challenges and situations.

 

Samson Weldemariam, Pastor