Carrying the book sets home

In April, the first Amharic Pastors' Book Set conference was held in Soddo, the principal city of the Wolaita region, which has the highest concentration of Christian churches in Ethiopia.

About 160 ministers participated in the three day conference, singing, praying, and drinking tea together between the sessions taught by Tim Fellows on the challenges of church leadership and by Fasil Agera on principles of sound Biblical interpretation.

At the second conference in Hosana, Bedru Hussein, author of one of the books in the set, gave six sessions on stewardship. He wrote his book on stewardship with a conviction that even poor Ethiopian churches can be self-supporting when Biblical principles of stewardship are taught and practiced.

	Bedru Hussein taking questions after one of his sessions on stewardship

Bedru first came to an SIM school to take part in recreational activities as a young Muslim boy in the early 1960’s. Later, as a university student, he came in contact with the SIM-sponsored Student Youth Center, and there, after watching a Billy Graham film, he gave his life to Christ.

Bedru is now a leader in the Meserete Kristos (Christ the Foundation) Church. He has taught high school biology and is currently the development director of a small Christian college.

In his low and hoarse voice, he challenged and encouraged the pastors. They leaned forward in their seats, eager to hear what he had to say. When he opened up one of the sessions for participants to share how God had provided in response to generous giving, it was evident that the pastors were receiving a message they could pass on to their churches.

Over the next several months, a total of 22 conferences will be held to distribute the book sets and encourage Ethiopian church leaders.

Pray

• for broader participation in future conferences in Ethiopia - that word would reach pastors & evangelists in more remote areas.
• for the conference speakers as they prepare their messages and make travel arrangements.
• for Minas as he plays the key role in getting the word out to pastors regarding the coming conferences. It’s a big job.
• for Biruk, who is responsible for kitting books and getting them delivered on time to the conference sites.