Ethiopia Update – August 2022
1. Graduation Event in Hawassa.
We thank God for the progress that our Emmanuel Bible College is making in the past few years. Last month 30 leaders have graduated at one of our campuses in Hawassa city located in the southern region of the country. The graduates have spent three years completing their studies in the field of Leadership & Biblical Studies.
We believe that the training will help our leaders to enhance their leadership skills, transform their lives and help to equip their local churches to be able to fulfill the great commission. Up until this time the total number of graduates has exceeded 2000. The joy and the excitement of our leaders was amazing at the event and we thank God for that.
I take this opportunity to thank Pastor Tesfaye Shiberu, who is the dean of our Bible college, for his commitment and leadership. I also thank all of our Hawassa campus leaders for their tireless effort for this fruit. May God Bless you all abundantly.
The Excitement of the Graduation
2. Youth Empowerment Training
In collaboration with the ministry called “Rejoice Africa” along with other churches in the town, our leader Pastor Wondwossen Lemma, has had the opportunity to train more than 50 youth in two various training events for two days. This training is designed to equip, empower and prepare our youth to be the next generation of leaders.
Pastor Wondwossen/Wondye/
The training focused on Sexual Purity & Healthy Relationships. The participants also had a time to discuss their challenges and opportunities. We thank God for this movement.
Youth Empowerment Training
3. The Fruit of Disciple Making
It has been close to 10 years now that Dr. Okongo has taken time to disciple, mentor & coach our young brother Kaleab/ Kalu/ Alemu. Kalu was in a critical spiritual, emotional and social condition when Dr. Okongo met him. He came out of a poor family; in particular his father was so abusive and that made Kalu’s childhood very miserable.
As a result of this abuse; Kalu was so disappointed and forced to live a life which was full of anger, unforgiveness and bitterness. We are grateful that God has sent Dr. Okongo & Shyla to Kalu’s life so that in the past many years of consecutive empowerment, discipleship, mentorship and coaching work; Kalu’s life and ministry has completely changed. He was able to forgive his father and now lives a new changed life and just recently he got married to his wife Yanet Seifu.
He is also our youth leader in our local church and is still being mentored and coached by Dr. Okongo to be able to become our potential future leader. This is really one of the fruits that our ministry bears. Congratulations! Kalu and Dr. Okongo.
Kalu & his bride Yanet
4. Conclusion, Praise & Prayer Requests
These are praises and prayer request items to pray about with us:
- Thank God for our leaders and workers of the Kingdom who have been laboring in the harvest. Pray for the protection of God over their lives and families including Kalu.
- Pray that God would give us wisdom and provisions for the cost of living in Ethiopia while at this time is getting higher.
- Continue to pray for our disciple making movement- that God would help us to make many more True Disciples who are willing to follow Jesus with love and devotion.