Kingdom

Collaboration in Ethiopia

The beautiful country of Ethiopia has a rich history and significant purpose in God’s mission. According to the Joshua Project, Ethiopia has a population of over 134 million and 33 unreached people groups. Almost 18% are evangelical Christians with maturing churches, Bible schools, and national mission organizations. Ethiopia is also strategically surrounded by countries with the greatest number of peoples who are not following Christ.

These include Sudan, Djibouti, and Somali. We are praising the Lord for how He is raising up a vision and commitment to equip and send Ethiopian missionaries to engage the remaining unreached peoples in the nation and region!

In August, Karl had an incredible ministry opportunity to join in God’s kingdom work in Ethiopia. He was invited by Tariku, Director of Headway International Ministries and the national student Christian network. He facilitated a 3-day basic disciple-making and coaching skills training with 50 selected student leaders from 80 universities across Ethiopia as part of an annual 50-day mission training program.

The students were very enthusiastic to learn and apply the principles/strategies to multiply disciple-making groups on their campuses and future workplaces. Karl was deeply humbled to see the passion and potential for this younger generation of African leaders as God’s growing mission force!

Karl was also privileged to speak at the 2-day National Collaborate to Saturate Conference on mission collaboration and leadership coaching skills. Over 90 leaders participated from various churches, denominations, theological institutions, and mission organizations. Research was presented on the remaining unreached peoples/areas in the country, and participants formed working groups to practically develop strategies to sustainably send missionaries to these areas in Ethiopia and surrounding countries. This annual gathering is part of a growing Collaborate to Saturate vision to plant healthy disciple-making churches in every community around the world.

Please pray for God’s leading in the following next steps:

Ongoing mission training of student leaders to reproduce disciple-making teams in their universities and workplaces.

Developing strategic plans and strategies to effectively equip and sustainably send Ethiopian missionaries to the remaining unreached peoples in East Africa and beyond.
Wisdom for Karl to provide ongoing coaching with Tariku and other East African mission leaders.
Collaboration of East Africa with the other regions around the world in the Global Church Planting Network vision.

Thank you for your joining with us in God’s kingdom service,

Karl & Jenny