Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. It has been an independent country since ancient times, and unlike other African countries, it maintained its freedom from colonial rule except for a brief period of Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. Its monarchy was overthrown in 1974 and the country is now a democratic republic. More than half of the population is Christian and a third is Muslim. While Ethiopia has struggled with severe poverty and hunger issues, it currently boasts one of the fastest-growing economies on the African continent.
Presbyterian work in Ethiopia dates back to 1918. Regent Haile Selassie, soon to become king, invited the Presbyterian Church to come into the country to help with the great 1918–19 worldwide flu epidemic. Dr. Lamby, a Presbyterian missionary in the Sudan responded, established the present hospital in Dembidollo, and the school and church there. He went on to establish hospitals in Addis Ababa, which became the Pasteur Institute then the Pasteur Research Institute (for infectious diseases). Another of the hospitals became the world-renowned ALERT (Africa Leprosy Research and Training Center). He is still looked upon as a national hero. Later Haile Selassie, in the early 1960s, also invited the Presbyterian Church to send missionaries to two remote provinces of southwest Ethiopia in what was known as the Illababour-Kaffa project.
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.
If you’d like to know more about the work of World Mission in education or evangelism in Ethiopia, you can download and read the PDF below.
Reconciliation Efforts
Training Leaders for Community Transformation using CHE in Ethiopia
Lynn and Sharon Kandel, regional liaisons for the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan)
Lynn and Sharon Kandel are serving together as the regional liaisons in Sudan, Ethiopia and South Sudan. As such, they serve as point persons for our global partners there, for US constituents, mission co-workers, Presbyterian World Mission and Presbyterian Mission Agency staff. Sharon is the primary lead for Ethiopia, Lynn for Sudan, and they are both deeply engaged in South Sudan where they live. South Sudan has multiple and diverse needs, so the Kandels feel blessed to be able to work with people in South Sudan with a wide assortment of talents and abilities. They continue to work for peace in South Sudan and to be an encouraging partner presence for the Presbyterian churches there.
You can find out more about their ministry on their profile page, which can be found here.
Michael and Rachel Weller
Michael and Rachel serve the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) in Gambella, Ethiopia where Rachel serves as the facilitator for Community Health Evangelism (CHE) in Gambella. CHE is an integrative program that empowers individuals and communities to improve their health while deepening their understanding of the abundant life of Jesus Christ. Michael teaches at the Don McClure Bible School and the Manpiny Theological College. Michael and Rachel feel privileged to be part of these communities and to be a conduit through which a deeper understanding of God is communicated.
For more on their ministry, go to their profile page, found here.
Partner churches and organizations
Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY)
Bethel Synods Coordination Office
Eastern Gambela Synod
Illubabor Bethel Synod
Southwest Bethel Synod
Western Gambela Bethel Synod
Western Wollega Bethel Synod
Partner institutions
Bethel Evangelical Secondary School
Berhane Yesus Elementary School
Bethel Mekane Yesus School
Mekane Yesus Seminary
Presbytery partnerships
Shenandoah Presbytery
Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley
Washington Presbytery
Ethiopia Mission Network
The Ethiopia Mission Network is among more than 40 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.
For information contact Lynn Reeves at polygalagay@gmail.com.
Lynn Kandel, Regional Liaison, lynn.kandel@pcusa.org
Sharon Kandel, Regional Liaison, sharon.kandel@pcusa.org
Ethiopia Mission Network
The Ethiopia Mission Network is among more than 40 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.
For information, contact Lynn Reeves at polygalagay@gmail.com.
Ethiopia Mission Network
The Ethiopia Mission Network is among more than 40 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.
For information contact Lynn Reeves at polygalagay@gmail.com.
