Ethiopia Updates August 2026

1- Strengthening Church Planters for Greater Kingdom Impact

Twenty-Five years ago, when we first began serving in this region of Ethiopia, there was only one small congregation. Today, by the grace of God, the landscape has been transformed. Thousands of churches now gather across villages and towns throughout the region, proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples.

This remarkable growth is a testimony to the faithfulness of God, the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, and the unwavering commitment of countless pastors, evangelists, and church planters. It is also the fruit of many years of intentional leadership development and disciple-making training that has equipped local believers to faithfully plant churches and advance the Kingdom of God.

One of the most effective ministry tools we have introduced has been Bible Storytelling for Oral Cultures. Since many communities in our region learn best through listening and storytelling rather than reading, this approach has become a powerful way to communicate God’s Word. Over the years, thousands of church planters and ministry leaders have been trained to use this method, enabling them to share the Gospel more effectively, disciple new believers, and establish healthy, multiplying churches.

Three weeks ago, I had the privilege of returning to Welenchity, where our ministry journey first began, to encourage and strengthen local leaders. During a three-day refresher training, more than 80 pastors and church planters representing 33 churches and denominations gathered for a meaningful time of biblical teaching, practical ministry training, fellowship, and prayer. The event was organized by the Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches Council, and it was inspiring to witness such unity among believers from different church backgrounds.

The timing of this training was especially significant. Welenchity and the surrounding areas are currently among the regions experiencing ongoing conflict and instability in Ethiopia. Many of our church leaders are faithfully serving under difficult circumstances, facing persecution, insecurity, and numerous ministry challenges. Throughout the training, they shared their struggles, prayed together, and found renewed hope in God’s promises.

It was deeply encouraging to see these faithful servants leave refreshed, strengthened, and recommitted to the mission God has entrusted to them. Despite the hardships surrounding them, they remain determined to continue proclaiming Christ, making disciples, and planting churches throughout the region.

We are grateful to the Lord for His continued faithfulness and for partners like you who make these training opportunities possible. Your prayers, encouragement, and generous support are equipping leaders, strengthening the Church, and helping the Gospel continue to spread in some of the most challenging places.

2 – From a Hungry Teenager to a Respected Kingdom Leader

One of the greatest joys in ministry is witnessing how God transforms lives and raises faithful leaders for His Kingdom. Pastor Shumi Hordofa is one of those inspiring testimonies—a living example of how God uses His Word and the faithful investment of discipleship to shape future leaders.

Fifteen years ago, Shumi was just a teenage boy who had recently surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Filled with an extraordinary hunger for God’s Word, he would walk nearly an hour and a half each week to Welenchity town to attend the Bible teaching and leadership training sessions that I was leading. Although he belonged to a different local church, his desire to grow spiritually was greater than any denominational boundary. Week after week, for more than a year, he faithfully participated in these training sessions, eagerly learning the Scriptures and preparing his heart for whatever God had planned.

Looking back, it is clear that God was preparing him during those formative years for a much greater purpose. Through the transforming power of God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Shumi matured in his faith, embraced God’s calling, and eventually became a pastor in his local congregation, Meserete Kirstos Church.

Today, God has entrusted him with even greater responsibility. Pastor Shumi currently serves as the Chairperson of the Welenchity Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches Council, providing leadership and unity for more than 33 churches and denominations in the area. His ministry is impacting countless pastors, churches, and communities for the glory of God.

Seeing Pastor Shumi’s journey fills my heart with gratitude and reminds me that no investment in discipling others is ever wasted. Sometimes the seeds we plant through teaching, mentoring, and encouraging young believers may seem small, but in God’s hands they produce an abundant harvest that extends far beyond what we can imagine.

Stories like Shumi’s encourage us to remain faithful in equipping the next generation of Christian leaders. We never know how God will use a young person who is hungry for His Word. Thank you for standing with us through your prayers, encouragement, and generous partnership. Together, we are helping raise leaders who will continue advancing God’s Kingdom for generations to come.

“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” — 2 Timothy 2:2

PRAISE ITEMS

• Praise God for His faithfulness over the past 25 years, transforming one small congregation into thousands of churches across the region.
• Thank God for the more than 80 pastors and church planters from 33 churches and denominations who gathered for the recent refresher training in Welenchity.
• Rejoice that Bible Storytelling continues to equip thousands of leaders to effectively share the Gospel, disciple new believers, and plant healthy, multiplying churches.
• Give thanks for the unity, encouragement, and renewed commitment experienced by church leaders despite serving in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
• Rejoice that Pastor Shumi now serves as Chairperson of the Welenchity Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches Council, helping strengthen unity among 33 churches and denominations.
• Give thanks for the many young people whose lives are being shaped through biblical teaching, mentoring, and leadership development.

PRAYER ITEMS

• Pray for God’s protection, wisdom, and courage for pastors, evangelists, and church planters serving in areas affected by conflict and instability.
• Pray that those who attended the training will faithfully apply what they learned and equip many others in their own communities.
• Pray that God will continue to give Pastor Shumi wisdom, humility, strength, and spiritual discernment as he leads pastors and churches in his region.
• Pray that every seed planted through teaching, mentoring, and leadership training will bear lasting fruit for generations, fulfilling the vision of 2 Timothy 2:2 as faithful leaders continue to train others who will also teach and serve Christ.

Rev. Samson W.M

Unite 4 Africa & Ethiopia Director