Ethiopia Updates – June 2025

Equipping Leaders Through Servant Leadership and Disciple-Making Movements

At Unite 4 Africa, we are committed to equipping local church leaders with transformational leadership skills rooted in Servant Leadership and Jesus’s model of Disciple-Making. Through tailored training sessions, seminars, and workshops, we aim to provide culturally relevant and biblically grounded approaches to Leadership Development, Discipleship, and Mentoring.

A few years ago, under the visionary leadership and initiative of Dr. Okongo, we launched our Leadership Development and Disciple-Making Movement trainings in two key cities in Ethiopia: Wolayita Sodoand Arba-Minch. Thanks to his ongoing guidance and support, this movement continues to grow and bear fruit.

Just in the past two weeks, we successfully conducted the third round of this impactful training. Forty leaders from over 18 different denominations and churches gathered to deepen their understanding and practice of Jesus’s way of making disciples and developing leaders. The participants expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Okongo for his leadership and for making these training sessions a reality.

The impact has been truly transformational. Many leaders shared powerful testimonies of how their lives and ministries have changed. They have gone on to influence others, plant new churches, and raise up new leaders within their own communities and beyond. This ripple effect is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness and necessity of investing in indigenous leadership.

We are excited to see how God will continue to use this movement to bring lasting transformation across Ethiopia and beyond.

Bringing Hope Through Education: A New School in Arba Minch

Unite 4 Africa continues to serve in villages and communities by advancing access to quality education through our kindergarten and school initiatives. In Ethiopia alone, we are actively engaged in 15 schools in partnership with Ethiopia Emmanuel United Church—helping to shape brighter futures for the next generation.

During my recent visit to Arba Minch, one of our key ministry hubs in the southern region of Ethiopia, I was deeply encouraged by the inspiring work of Pastor Wondemagegn Gezahegn, one of our dedicated regional leaders. With unwavering commitment and a vision for holistic community transformation, Pastor Wondemagegn has taken bold steps to establish a new kindergarten and primary school on the church compound.

Though starting modestly—with the construction of three classrooms—his dream is expansive. The land has been cleared and prepared, and the school is set to open this coming September, beginning with KG1 to KG3 levels.

We praise God for this remarkable initiative, which stands as a powerful testimony to the impact of our leadership development and holistic ministry training programs. This school is more than a building—it is the fruit of a transformed vision. It reflects what happens when leaders are empowered to bring meaningful change not only within their churches but across their entire communities.

Pastor Wondemagegn invites us all to partner with him through prayer and support. He is trusting God to provide the remaining resources needed to furnish the classrooms—with desks, blackboards, teaching materials, and playground equipment—so that the school can open its doors on schedule.

Let us stand with him in faith and generosity, helping bring this vision to life for the children and families of Arba Minch.

Praise and Prayer Items

We give thanks to God for the amazing things He is doing in Ethiopia through Unite 4 Africa—equipping leaders, empowering churches, and transforming communities through servant leadership, disciple-making, and holistic ministry. The testimonies from recent trainings and the progress in launching a new school in Arba Minch remind us that the Kingdom of God is advancing through faithful, indigenous leadership.

Your prayers and partnership are vital. Together, we are seeing lasting fruit as lives are changed, leaders are raised, and hope is planted in the hearts of children and families. Let us continue to trust God for greater impact in the days ahead. Thank you for standing with us!

Praise Items

1. Praise God for Dr. Okongo’s visionary leadership and ongoing support in equipping leaders in Ethiopia.
2. Praise God for the successful third round of Servant Leadership and Disciple-Making Movement training in Wolayita Sodo and Arba – Minch.
3. Praise God for the participation of 40 leaders from 18+ churches and denominations, and the powerful testimonies of transformation.
4. Praise God for the bold leadership and vision of Pastor Wondemagegn in launching the new school in Arba Minch.
5. Praise God for the land preparation and construction of the first three classrooms for the kindergarten and primary school.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for the continued growth and multiplication of the Disciple-Making and Leadership Movement across Ethiopia and beyond.
2. Pray for the leaders who have been trained—that they would remain faithful and fruitful in their ministries and continue to raise new disciples and leaders.
3. Pray for Pastor Wondemagegn and his team as they prepare to launch the new school—may God provide the remaining resources (desks, blackboards, materials, playground equipment).
4. Pray for the children who will attend the new school—that they may encounter the love of Christ through education and care.
5. Pray for unity and collaboration among church leaders from different denominations as they serve their communities together.

Samson Weldemariam /Rev./

Africa & Ethiopia director of U4A