Ethiopia
The Land and the
People
Ethiopia has been one of the poorest and least-developed countries in Africa, but in recent years some progress has been made in industries, technology, and agriculture. Ethiopia is where Africa meets the East, with a mixture of both cultures in dress, music, and lifestyle.
Religion
There is a strong Orthodox Church in Ethiopia, and Islam is gaining influence.
Past and Current
Work
In 1993 the Lord led a single missionary serving under BMM to Ethiopia. She entered the country as a health professional working with the country's Ministry of Health. Today the services of team members range from health professions, to university-level English teachers, to those nurturing abandoned children and babies. All are vital means of sharing Christ by compassionate example. The strong interest that Ethiopians have for reading materials creates a gospel opportunity for the distribution of Bibles and gospel literature, effectively opening doors for personal evangelism and Bible studies.
Goals
A gradual reduction in the authorities granting "religious work" permits is in process. For this reason, the Ethiopian team seeks Christian workers who have a profession that is useful in Ethiopia. Opportunites include teachers in most disciplines for higher education and/or institutions, medical professionals willing to work in remote areas of Ethiopia, and skilled vocational professionals able to teach computer and English as a Second Language. A Christian witness is often noted, and open doors for talking of Christ are common in this beautiful country. However, great discernment is needed due to the strong Orthodox Church and the increase of Islam within the country.
Workers needed
Medical personnel, educators, computer specialists--all with a heart burdened for evangelism, personal discipleship, and local churches--are needed to assist the current BMM team and local Ethiopian pastors in establishing Baptist churches. Their desire is for churches to be sensitive and for development of solid, local independent Baptist churches that are uniquely Ethiopian while remaining strongly Biblically based.