A Missionary call to Ethiopia

In Jesus' Name Ministries

"....go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Christian church in Ethiopia burned by Muslims

A Christian church burned in Ethiopia this year by Muslims (see below)

Dear Friends and Followers of Jesus Christ,

Earlier this year, thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes in Western Ethiopia after Muslim extremists set fire to roughly 50 churches and dozens of Christian homes.

Ethiopian Refugees

More than 10,000 Ethiopian Christians

became homeless as Muslim militants murdered at least one Christian and injured scores of others as they burned down 69 church buildings, 30 Christian homes, a Bible school, a Christian orphanage and a church office.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the Islamist group " Kawarja" is believed to have incited the violence.

Pastor Joshua Atieno, In Jesus' Name Ministries director in Kenya, has called and shared with me that the Holy Spirit is urging him to visit Ethiopia to proclaim the gospel, and to bring encouragement to our Christian brethren. As you can see from the map, Ethiopia shares borders with some of the most volatile places in the world, Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea.

Please take a few minutes to read Joshua's letter below. If you are able to send a much needed gift, for his journey, and for our brethren, our God will surely bless you.

"Dear Saints in Christ Jesus,

Joshua and Court together at in Kenya in 2009

I greet you in the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

The Lord has called us to the whole world to preach the gospel. Men, women, and children, are being held captives by Satan.

I heard the Lord's voice calling me to go to Ethiopia and I am getting ready to go. I beseech you dear brethren to pray for me that he may use me to even save one soul there, and use me to encourage the suffering Christians there.

Ethiopia is on the North border of Kenya and the first Ethiopian to hear the gospel was the Ethiopian eunuch, reached and baptized by Philip before he returned to Ethiopia. It was the only country in Africa that was not colonized by the west.

The population of Ethiopia is about 90 million. Only 20 percent are born again Christians. 40 percent are Muslims. There is increasing persecution of the Body of Christ by the Muslim

Ethiopian Christian woman praying. Our brethren need our love

population. Our Christian brethren need our encouragement , love, and help in whatever way we can.

There are also so many widows and orphans in Ethiopia, just as many as we have here in Kenya. They too need our love and help. I will meet them and share Christ with them. Our widows and orphans here at our mission here in Kenya have sacrificed and donated one suitcase full of clothes which I am taking them with me to Ethiopia to help the widows there and orphans. This is what the widows mite was all about. We praise and thank the Lord.

Would you please pray for me and our brethren. If you are able to help, Brother Court will forward your gift, and I will personally present your gift of love to your brothers and sisters in Ethiopia.

I will be leaving the first week of September. Please also pray for my health and safety.

All your family in Jesus Christ here at Saint Luke's Ministry in Kenya send their love,

Pastor Joshua Atieno"

Our Kenyan brothers Joshua's journey to see our brethren, follows the example set by the Apostle Paul. As he goes to Ethiopia he will be preaching Christ, and the Word of God, and his desire is to also share a gift from us with our brethren in Ethiopia.

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

If you are able to mail a gift for Joshua's journey to help our brethren in Ethiopia, please let me know by email so that we can forward the help he needs before September.