Ethiopia

Presbyterian work in Ethiopia dates back to the 1950s, when a Presbyterian missionary doctor in Sudan heard that people were dying in Ethiopia. He made a long trek by foot to the area of Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia — and began a ministry there among the Oromo people. A church was begun, and a health ministry. A number of long-term Presbyterian missionaries have continued the ministry in this area through the years. The PC(USA)’s partner church, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) includes 17 synods, five of which (each with “Bethel” in their name) are Presbyterian. Other synods have Lutheran and Reformed Church backgrounds.

The church in Ethiopia struggles with relating to various ethnicities. Ethnic groups such as the Oromo have been oppressed, and when they organized to resist, this has created tensions between the church and the government. Another crisis facing the church is HIV/AIDS, now a countrywide problem (20 percent of the people of child-rearing age are infected). The PC(USA) works through mission personnel and its partner churches in health, church and educational ministries. Hospitals and churches, closed down or taken over by the government, have been returned, but the church does not have the resources to fully operate them. The church has seen phenomenal growth — from 40,000 in the 1950s to 4 million members, which has meant enormous growth in the need for churches, pastors and lay leader training. The PC(USA) is assisting with low-cost church construction and with Bible schools. Mission networks and presbytery partnerships with several of the Bethel synods are a significant mission focus.

Overview of Africa

Shenandoah Presbytery
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
Washington Presbytery

October 30, 2007 A letter from Dorothy Hanson recounting the story of her missionary father and a blind beggar, Gidada, who became a pioneer evangelist
December 2006 African physician at seminary

Ethiopia Mission Network

• For information contact Michael Weller, Doug Welch or Lacey Gilliam.

The Ethiopia Mission Network is among more than 25 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies.