Ethiopia is one of Africa’s historic countries
with rich long-standing influence of Judaism and Christianity. It is widely
accepted that the Queen of Sheba mentioned in the Bible had brought Judaism back
with her to Ethiopia. Furthermore, it is believed the Ethiopian Eunuch who met
Philip (Acts 8) brought the true Gospel to the Ethiopia of those days, and that
Jewish merchants who were also followers of Christ later strengthened the
Christian movement in Ethiopia. Coptic Christianity became the state religion
in 330 AD and was later named the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church (EOTC)

Since Coptic Christianity became the state religion of Ethiopia, government leaders have bestowed favored status to the church. For example, the government granted one-third of the land in Ethiopia to the EOTC. The EOTC has in return supported government leaders by anointing kings and approving their coronation. Similar to what happened in the Roman Catholic Church, Ethiopian government leaders wanted to exert influence over the church, especially King Zar’a Yacob who introduced many teachings and practices contrary to what the Bible teaches. Over time the truth of Christian faith was compromised and the preaching of the Gospel was forgotten.

Prior to the time of Dr. Martin Luther there
were individuals who attempted to reform the EOTC from within. In the 15^th
century the monk Abba Estifanos advocated the teaching of salvation by grace
alone through faith and condemned the veneration of saints. In the 17^th
century the theologian and philospher Zer’a Yacob (not to be confused with the
aforementioned king), who rejected church tradition in favor of Scriptural
authority. This proves that God wanted the reform of His Church and raised men
for this purpose. The EOTC however resisted their efforts and persecuted them, often
to the point of death. 

In the late 19^th century, Lutheran
missionaries from Northern Europe and America first arrived in Ethiopia. When
the EOTC resisted their efforts to reform the church and persecuted the EOTC
priests who were the first converts to Lutheranism, the Swedish, German and
American Lutherans agreed to establish a new church. It’s name is the Ethiopian
Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY). “Mekane Yesus” means “Dwelling Place
of Jesus.” In 1959, the EECMY became a legally registered national church.

Rev. Dr. Kebede Getachew Yigezu became a
Christian in the EECMY at the age of 15 in 1987 and had been serving as a youth
leader, choir member, solo singer, lay preacher and later as theologian for a
total of 25 years. After being involved in various voluntary services for 18
years in the EECMY, Kebede studied theology at Mekane Yesus Seminary and
continued serving in the EECMY. In 2007, Kebede joined Concordia Seminary in
Saint Louis, Missouri, and received advanced theological training. While there,
his were eyes opened to confessional Lutheran theology and Kebede ascertained
that the WELS understanding and practice of the doctrine of fellowship is more
in line with the Bible’s teaching than the EECMY’s understanding of fellowship.

Kebede left the EECMY for doctrinal reasons to
remain faithful to confessional evangelical Lutheran theology of the Law and
Gospel and the truth of the Scriptures. In compliance with the Ethiopian
government’s requirements Kebede and 56 founding members registered The
Lutheran Church of Ethiopia (LCE) as a confessional Lutheran church body in
2013. The LCE also founded Maor Lutheran Theological Seminary (MLTS) as a Christ-centered,
Bible-based and Reformation-driven confessional Lutheran theological seminary,
which is authorized to offer bachelors and masters degrees and also doctorate
programs. More background information about the church and seminary are found
at https://lcemtc.weebly.com/college.html

Soon after the establishment of the church and
seminary in 2013, Kebede was ordained in the LCE and reached out to WELS with
the purpose of establishing fellowship. In 2014 and 2015 the LCE was visited by
Professor Edward Allen Sorum and Professor Kenneth Cherney of Wisconsin
Lutheran Seminary, Rev. Peter Bur-Chairman of the Global South Sudanese
Outreach, Rev. Paul Nitz-delegate of the WELS Board of World Mission, and Rev.
Davison Mutentami-CELC Africa Region President.

After several years of talks with WELS
representatives, the LCE and WELS declared fellowship in 2017. WELS has been
collaborating with the LCE on the work of training church workers by sending
professors for short-term intensive teaching trips, and by providing funding to
purchase property and to complete the construction of a five floor
multi-purpose building where the LCE operates her Gospel ministry and
theological education programs.

The LCE is a small church body bringing the Gospel truth to light
amongst more than the one hundred million people of Ethiopia. Like Luther, Kebede
and the members of the LCE are standing against many opponents of the Gospel
truth. It is not an easy path to follow but by the grace of God the latest
statistics show:

• Baptized national members = 421
  • Organized congregations = one very active
    congregation in Bishoftu and four active preaching centers (Adama, Addis Ababa,
    Wukro and Dukem)
  • National pastors = one
  • National evangelists = four (volunteers and
    active witnesses in life and ministry)

One of the greatest blessings that have come
from the declaration of fellowship between LCE and WELS is our partnership in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
which is based on our unity of faith, love and purpose. In view of
this, we rejoice at the many opportunities God is giving us to make this unity
visible. The LCE and MLTS enjoy the wonderful blessing of fellowship with
like-minded brothers and sisters in the WELS and CELC member churches, who
share their beliefs and gladly pray on their behalf to our heavenly Father. The
Lord is blessing the humble beginnings of the LCE. We praise God for giving the
members of the LCE the endurance to run their race in Him and to pass the baton
of the Gospel truth to the next generation of Christians.

The Gathering Place. I remember there used to be a small restaurant by that name in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. That was decades ago.  Perhaps it’s still there.  Maybe not.Regardless, it’s a fitting name for a restaurant as the locals would, well, gather.  Eat the special of the day.  Drink endless cups of coffee.  Chat, laugh, share the news and enjoy the stories and the company.

There’s a gathering place here in Malawi, too.  Many of them, in fact.  And now there is one more. In a place called Salima.  This particular gathering place is not a restaurant, but it is a place where you can get a drink any time of day or night. 

It’s a borehole.  This borehole serves one thing and one thing only:  WATER!  (Hey, I just thought of something…maybe THE BOREHOLE would be a good name for a restaurant here in Malawi….they’d probably have to serve more than water, however, if they are going to make any money!) A borehole is simply another word for a well. Here they are usually equipped with a hand pump.  The depth of the pipes depends a lot on the level of the water table as it is normally found in the dry season.

It’s a gathering place.

Women and children come every day to pump water and carry it home.  Often the queues are long and the crowds thick. Buckets and pails everywhere.  But it’s worth the wait because there’s food to cook, clothes to wash and baths to take. If all these people had taps in their gardens or faucets in their homes, they wouldn’t have to gather at the borehole.  But they don’t so they do.

Many community members go to this newly tapped borehole for water.  But if it is up to the LCCA congregations like Holy Trinity, then they will go home with more. Much more. The Lutheran Church of Central Africa (LCCA) congregation called Holy Trinity in Salima applied to the WELS Committee on Aid and Relief (CA&R) for funds for a borehole. 

   CA&R granted it.
Water Access drilled it.
    Holy Trinity dedicated it.
       Many gather around it.

CA&R asked the pastor and congregation a question and
they answered it this way…

In Malawi, the ones who normally gather in numbers at the
borehole every day are the women and children. 
They have come for water, yes, but there’s a whole lot more that goes on.  It’s a gathering place.  It’s a bee hive of activity and there’s a
buzz of conversation. News and lives and stories are shared.

This particular borehole has been placed right next to another gathering place:  the church itself!  Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

      Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Salima,
Malawi

Holy Trinity currently has 164 baptized and 129 confirmed members and is being served by Pastor Patrick Magombo. What a gathering place!  The building is strong, the size adequate, the location prime. But more importantly, the Gospel of Jesus is preached and the sacraments are administered!

And now Pastor Magombo and Holy Trinity Congregation has
a gathering of people from the community coming on their premises for water. 

Every day.

Every day their water needs are met. And they will be
back tomorrow. And the next day.  And the
next…

It’s not only a good
time for a drink of cool water, it’s a great time for a prayer:

“Lord, we know that the gift of water is a precious
thing.  Forgive us for taking water for
granted.  Many don’t have the easy access
we do.  Many don’t have the convenience
of clean water that comes straight into our homes.  But you provide in various ways and even
water from a borehole is a gift from your divine Hand.  Thank you for moving the hearts of people who
have donated offerings to CA&R.  Many
people in faraway countries are blessed because of it. Thousands in Malawi!  Encourage the Holy Trinity congregation and
Pastor to also reach out with the gospel as the people gather both inside and
outside the church building. In Jesus’ name. 
Amen.”

With the borehole water, the
people will thirst again. (John 4:13). 

With the living water of Jesus from the wells of
salvation, they won’t. (John 4:14).

In the presence of Jesus….

What a Gathering Place!

Your Malawi Mission Partner,
John Holtz

I have left both shoe leather and sweat on the streets of
suburban subdivisions and communist-built housing blocks. I have offered Tennis
Camps, Renaissance Faires, Bible giveaways and free English lessons to attract
my busy neighbors’ attention. It is no small task to establish a new church in
either a home or a world mission setting. But God’s promises still encourage
church planters today: “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58)

For the last nine months the members of Chikulupiriro
(Faith) Lutheran Church in Lilongwe, Malawi have been conducting worship
services in the village of Saera, about 18 miles away. It’s a thirty minute rumble
over rocky roads by car – but the lay evangelist usually travels by bicycle,
after working all night long. The pastor makes the trip every other month by
motorcycle, which is much easier to get unstuck from the mud than a car once
the rains begin.

Some WELS Home Missions begin their existence in a member’s
home or in a school cafeteria. When the Lutherans roll into Saera, they set up
shop under the shadiest trees and the children come running. Judging from their
excitement, you’d think that Martians had landed. Some WELS Home Missions offer
outdoor Easter services in a park or on the beach, but I wonder how many of
them have been graced by the presence of goats, pigs and chickens?

Some WELS Home Missions are blessed with a keyboardist or a
computer that plays digital hymns through a P.A. system. The worshippers in
Saera hear the evangelist’s singing and preaching via a battery-powered
bullhorn. WELS members of a mission church are well acquainted with “Lutheran
exercises” – working up a sweat before the service setting up chairs, chancel
furniture and tables, and then taking it all down afterwards. Worshippers in an
African village church find their spots on benches, stumps or the ground, the
sweat running off their faces induced by the sun.

There is no budget for mass mailings or targeted ads on
social media. Word of mouth is the LCCA Malawi’s primary method of outreach in
new areas, supported by Bible tracts and the occasional visit by the talented
student choir of the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI). New preaching stations are
always the result of a personal connection with a member of the LCCA. Saera is
the home village of a current LBI student. Once the connection is established,
the supervising pastor identifies a local man who can serve as the
congregation’s chairman and begins preparing him to conduct the worship
service. It is also important to establish a solid connection with the local
authorities, who in African villages are hereditary chiefs. On the day I
visited Saera there were 3 chiefs in attendance at our worship service.

In remote places like Saera there is a greater hunger for
the Gospel than in the busy urban centers. Nonetheless, even in a sleepy
village the devil is active and is working hard to distract people from the one
thing needed. The pastor is seeking permission to put up a grass structure on
the outskirts of the village, in order to put some distance between his flock
and the occasional Sunday drunks. The villagers are poor, primarily surviving
off of what they can grow, and they have large families with many mouths to
feed. The total offering taken on the day of my visit was just under $5, half
of it given by me. Few of the people are educated beyond primary school, and
Bible teaching proceeds slowly. The pastor and evangelist must patiently
instruct people about the differences between the true teachings of the Bible
and the false teachings of other church groups. 

A total of 82 people attended worship that Sunday in Saera.
In spite of the many logistical and spiritual challenges, the Holy Spirit is
blessing this outreach effort which is being conducted entirely by our local partners.
Once the Gospel seeds have been scattered, they sprout and grow by the
mysterious working of the Holy Spirit without our direct observation (see Mark
4:26-27). What a privilege it is to witness the zeal of these church planters
in Malawi!

Missionary John Roebke lives in Malawi and is the
Communications Director for One Africa Team

Please
pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story,
engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more
about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in
people’s hearts  https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa