Ethiopian Partnership Team

SOS Ethiopian partnership mission team needs  your  HELP!

 November 21st two Representatives, Kes Endries and our great friend Kes Teferi Barkessa  will be in our Presbyter, November 21st through November 26th.  The Partnership team is very excited about this since we were not able to attend the Celebration. knowing that you all would love to help is what is needed.  Places for them to stay, actives for them to be involved in and transportation.  

ON November 21st they will be picked up at the Syracuse airport staying in Cortland and going on to the assembly meeting in Walton on the 23rd.   The only other activity planned is that at least 1 of the Kes' will be at Northminster Sunday Morning for service. Lots of time for you all to be involved.  If there is anyone else that would love to help out with hosting, activities, travel arrangements,  shopping,  coffee hours, meet and great, please contact one of the team members.

Another challenge December 5th and 6th.   In Louisville.

  PCUSA and the Ethiopian church Mekane Yesus, will be meeting to discuss the difficulties due to the theological differences on the issues of ordination and marriage.  SVP needs to send a representatives to this meeting since we have been in a long time successful partnership.  Please let one of us know if you are willing to attend this meeting. We would like at least 3 representatives from our Presbytery.

THANK YOU, allow God to work through you. Blessings

Juni  Junietta68(at)gmail.com ,      Lynn Lynn.ninevehjunction(at)yahoo.com

Cheryll  Cheryll(at)thunderbirdatatlatl.com,   Diane  dhvred(at)aol.com

Peg  Robert2665(at)aol.com,     Rachel cortlandchurches(at)gmail.com,   Dot  pianochick(at)yahoo.com

Kat  ksevert(at)twcny.rr.com,   Janet. Jhansen5(at)twncy.rr.com

Please open for an update letter from the Ethiopian Partnership Team ministry. We look forward to continuing this valuable ministry together.
 
Waaqayyo isn haa eebisu (God bless you),
emrys tyler
Chair of Cabinet
Member of the Ethiopian Partnership Team

 

group_traveled_to_Ethiopia.jpg

 

Ethiopia Trip Youtube

The Ethiopian Partnership Team looks forward to reporting to the Presbytery at its May 31st Assembly. In the meantime, please click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eAZpOZg9h4&feature=youtu.be
(or copy and paste in your browser) to see a 15-minute presentation of our February trip.

A full presentation, with time for question and answers, has been scheduled for Nineveh Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 23rd, at 12:30pm. You're welcome to join us then; we also hope to schedule presentation times in congregations on the east and west ends of the Presbytery. Stay tuned!
Emrys Tyler, emrystyler(at)gmail.com

Report/Update on Presbytery Partnership with Western Wollega Bethel Synod (WWBS), Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Presbyterian church was established in 1919 by  missionaries from the Presbyterian Church of America.  The mission  started with the work of evangelism, and the operation of a school and  clinic.   The missionaries were forced to leave from 1936 through 1941  because of the Italian occupation.  When the missionaries returned in  1942 they left the work of evangelism to the indigenous church leaders and  they continued the work of the school and clinic.   Many churches,  clinics and church school were built from 1942 until 1974 when the communist  revolution occurred.

The Bethel Evangelical Church encountered severe persecution  from 1974 until the communist government was ousted in 1991.  Churches  were closed down.  Many members were put in prison and some were killed  because of their faith.  Church buildings were converted to store rooms,  dance halls and offices for peasant associations.

After 1991 the revival of church work began with great vigor.    Today there are ten presbyteries with 241 congregations and over  225,000 members.   The Synod operates an elementary school, a secondary  school, a bible school and two hostels for orphans.  The dynamic membership  growth of the church is primarily attributable to the holistic ministry that  is addressing the spiritual, physical and social needs of the communities of  Western Wollega.  People are serving people.   The poor and the  needy are serving the poorer and more needy.  Church members are  "living for Christ".  They are praising God in spite of the  economic, social and other crises they face.

Worshippers walk hours to standing-room-only Sunday services.    Cell groups of up to one hundred souls praise the Lord at weekday worship  services and bible study in neighborhood homes.  The strong fellowship  of believers acts as a positive influence for evangelism.  Due to a  shortage of pastors much of the work of the church is being carried out by  lay members.  Elders are provided with one month of training, so they  can effectively perform their duties.  Youngsters are enthusiastically  participating and serving in all levels within the church.

In spite of much previous persecution and current adversity,  the churches of the Western Wallega Bethel Synod are alive and actively  growing.  The members are enthusiastically praising God in worship and  prayer and living for Christ by sharing what God has given them.

Questions or Comments for the Ethiopian Partnership Team


 

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