Believers Driven from Homes in Axum

12 April 2006

^{Rock hewn Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Axum}

Axum is considered the most holy city for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church because of its ancient churches and their claim that the original Ark of the Covenant is kept there. The influence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is very strong in the area. A Full Gospel church is the only known non-Orthodox church in the city. According to a VOMC source in Ethiopia , the church frequently experiences harassment with stones often thrown at the building throughout the services. "In one of my trips to Axum , I was ministering in the evening service and stones were flowing on the roof like rain. I had to wait for hours to get out of the church and even then, stones were falling everywhere as we went out," he said.

The situation heated up significantly after a popular nightclub singer, Meseret Negusse, came to faith in Christ. Despite repeated attempts to force her to return to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Meseret persisted in her new-found faith and each Sunday she would come to church with new converts. "Meseret made us extremely busy in the kingdom work by bringing new converts who need deliverance and follow up," said Gebremedhine, founder of the Full Gospel church.

On March 12 and 17, the church building was attacked. The mob severely damaged the building with stones and burned it. Following the latest attack, Ethiopian Orthodox leaders ordered their followers to expel anyone from their home who was not a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. At last report, four young women have been expelled and are now living inside the church compound for protection. Their names are Askalu (25), Ethiopia Gedey (24), Eden Beyene (20), and Meseret Wasiun (30). One of these women is suffering badly from AIDS but was still thrown out of her bed by her parents and chased from her home.

Pray that these women will find joy and peace as they rest in the love of the God Who suffers with them (1 Peter 4:12 -13). Ask the Lord to give them the strength to love, forgive and even bless those who have rejected them (Matthew 5:43 -44). Pray that there will be adequate care for these dear believers, particularly for the one suffering from AIDS.

For more information on Ethiopia and the suffering facing Christians there, click here. The April edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter features stories on persecution from eastern Africa , including Ethiopia . Canadians who wish to subscribe can go to our newsletter page. Those who subscribe will be able to read the feature article, "Witnessing God's Faithfulness in East Africa " online. The Voice of the Martyrs also provides assistance in such circumstances through an emergency fund set up for this purpose. Donations can be made online to VOMC's Relief and Development Fund at our donations page.

Ethiopia

Current Ministry Project
VOMC has partnered with a ministry to strengthen the witness of the local church by equipping evangelists with the means to build sustainability through the development of a small business in a tentmaker project.

Project Fund: Relief and Development
Country Information
Population
116,462,712 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Oromo (35.8), Amara (24.1), Somali (7.2), Tigray (5.7), Sidama (4.1), Guragie (2.6), Welaita (2.3), Afar (2.2), Silte (1.3), Kefficho (1,2), Other (13.5) (2022 est.)

Religion (%)
Ethiopian Orthodox (43.8), Muslim (31.3), Protestant (22.8), Catholic (0.7), traditional (0.6), other (0.8)

Leader
President Taye Atske Selassie (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Civil law system

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Ethiopia
Ask the Lord to direct Ethiopia's governmental leaders as they continue to work toward solutions to the ongoing religious tensions in the country. While this is taking place, pray that His people will not become weary in doing what is right. Rather, may they be further strengthened and encouraged to boldly proclaim the Gospel, overcoming hatred with the powerful love of Christ.

Ethiopia News

Attacked Church Seeks New Meeting Location

The remains of the church building.
Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

On July 29th, a small congregation in Ethiopia was attacked by hostile community members who were opposed to the church's presence in their village. During the incident, the attackers dismantled the simple shelter where the Christians had been meeting, and then they proceeded to steal its structural materials. (For more details about this incident, see this report.)

Read more...
Church Attack Forces Pastor and Wife into Hiding

The remains of the church building.
Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has partnered with Steadfast Global to provide small loans to pastors and other Christian workers so they can establish sustainable businesses in support of their ministries. Among the recipients of this project is Pastor Paul, along with his wife Mary. (Their given names were changed for the purpose of this report due to security concerns.) This couple has been faithfully ministering within a Muslim-majority community in southern Ethiopia. As part of their ministry outreach, Pastor Paul and Mary leased space in a compound where they set up a shelter composed of poles and zinc sheets so they could hold worship services with local converts.

Read more...
Evangelist Martyred for Sharing the Gospel

Ibrahim Mohammed
Photo: Steadfast Global

Ibrahim Mohammed became a follower of Jesus in 2021 and immediately began sharing the "Good News" of the Gospel with others in his predominantly Muslim community. Within the span of one year, he led 80 people to Christ in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Since then, the passionate evangelist has devoted himself to discipling these new believers. As a result of his Christian witness, Ibrahim began receiving death threats from local Islamic militants.

Read more...
Christians Targeted in Violent Outbreaks

Fire damage in Shashamene.
Photo: Steadfast Global

The Oromia region of Ethiopia is in the midst of turmoil as separatists spread dissent against the government. The murder of prominent singer Hachalu Hundessa on June 29th set off the civil unrest, leaving hundreds dead.

During the third week of August, a violent outbreak took place in a predominantly Muslim village of Senbete Sinkile. In the attack, which was perpetrated by a youth wing of separatists known as the Qeerroo, it appears that Christians in particular were targeted. While there were no fatalities resulting from this attack, a number of people were injured and damages were done to a church and the homes of various Christians in the village. A number of victims were forced to flee, despite flood conditions, seeking refuge in the mainly Christian city of Awassa.

Read more...