Sunset International Studies Division

There are nearly 185 million persons in the countries I know well – Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia. It is hard to see this many people living in hardship and without the message of God’s grace though Christ. There is urgency in getting the Gospel message to these people. Who is going to do it? It will not be easy as it requires a commitment of people, money and time.

Without a doubt, the same situation exists in the rest of the countries of Africa. Where there are problems and hardships, there are also windows of opportunity.

My experience in spreading the Gospel among my people has been that when we do good things they see God in what we do more than what we say. The humanitarian projects of feeding the starving, giving medicine to the sick, drilling water wells and teaching them better ways to grow food has opened their hearts to Christ. I believe the compassion we show is exactly like Jesus’ ministry. I also believe this is the way for the future of ministry to an impoverished continent.

Without training the national people to dream, to lead and to teach, there is a limited future for the church in Africa. Those who know the language, the culture and the people will face fewer difficulties when they use humanitarian efforts. All those who are trained in Bible teaching and leadership in Ethiopia are cross-trained in these practical ways to assist people to help themselves.

There are many difficulties to be faced for the future. Many African countries are experiencing political unrest. The corruption of the officials creates unbelievable hardships on their people. Some countries, particularly those predominately Muslim, are very hostile toward Christians.

Perhaps by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of refugees, the Gospel will be powerful in their country when they return to it.

There are language, customs and cultural obstacles to overcome as well. None of these is impossible to triumph over.

BEHAILU ABEBE is an Ethiopian who has pioneered the work in that country, in Kenya and among Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. He is sponsored by the Woodland Park church, Fresno, Calif.

The Future Outlook for the church in the Sub-Sahara region by Doctor Behailu Abebe as reported in the Christian Chronicle March 27, 2001
There are nearly 185 million persons in the countries I know well – Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia. It is hard to see this many people living in hardship and without the message of God’s grace though Christ. There is urgency in getting the Gospel message to these people. Who is going to do it? It will not be easy as it requires a commitment of people, money and time. Without a doubt, the same situation exists in the rest of the countries of Africa. Where there are problems and hardships, there are also windows of opportunity. My experience in spreading the Gospel among my people has been that when we do good things they see God in what we do more than what we say. The humanitarian projects of feeding the starving, giving medicine to the sick, drilling water wells and teaching them better ways to grow food has opened their hearts to Christ. I believe the compassion we show is exactly like Jesus’ ministry. I also believe this is the way for the future of ministry to an impoverished continent. Without training the national people to dream, to lead and to teach, there is a limited future for the church in Africa. Those who know the language, the culture and the people will face fewer difficulties when they use humanitarian efforts. All those who are trained in Bible teaching and leadership in Ethiopia are cross-trained in these practical ways to assist people to help themselves. There are many difficulties to be faced for the future. Many African countries are experiencing political unrest. The corruption of the officials creates unbelievable hardships on their people. Some countries, particularly those predominately Muslim, are very hostile toward Christians. Perhaps by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of refugees, the Gospel will be powerful in their country when they return to it. There are language, customs and cultural obstacles to overcome as well. None of these is impossible to triumph over. BEHAILU ABEBE is an Ethiopian who has pioneered the work in that country, in Kenya and among Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. He is sponsored by the Woodland Park church, Fresno, Calif.