“Come and see what God has done, …” Ps. 66:5

Written by Yohannes Sherab in 2004

A. The Beginnings

 

“It is the desire of the mission to go to primitive underdog, who still follow the witchdoctor. The section we were just through and the village Taminjaze was just that. It is not nearly as hard to reach and the people, I’m sure would be glad to hear the story of salvation from someone that loves them.”

 

The above sentences are extracted from Charles Haspels’s letter to his brother Lester that he wrote from Maji in January 3, 1948 (after a survey of Gimira and Maji areas). It is believed that Fred Russell started mission work at Maji in 1950 and Chrles Haspels began in 1951 among Gimira. Although they were so eager to preach the Good News soon, the political situation of the day did not allow them to do so. They had to study Amharic though this language had nothing to do with the people with whom they were going to work. The Emperor, who was an Amhara himself, would not allow any other language of the country to be studied by foreigners. Haspels would express his anxiety about this policy as follows:

 

“A recent order was given saying all teaching, religious and secular must be in Amharic or English. This definitely limits work amongst the many primitive people and I’m afraid it almost ties our hands as to possibilities for missionary work at least of the evangelistic nature.” 

B. The Growth

Although the missionaries did not know the language of the people, this could not prevent them from bringing the love of the Savior to the people. The policy of the Emperor could not tie their hands. That powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ and the ever-burning love of the missionaries could not be tied by anything. Thus when the missionaries were forced to leave the country in 1977, there were already 10 congregations in Gimira and 2 established congregations and several preaching places in Maji District (under which Surma was included).

 

C. The Persecution and Underground Preaching

After the missionaries had left, the Church experienced several persecutions under the Marxist military dictatorship. All the congregations were banned from worshipping and preaching. Church buildings and properties were all confiscated. Church elders, volunteer ministers and evangelists were imprisoned. Calling God’s name was outlawed and if two or more Christians were found even walking on the road, they would simply be beaten and thrown into jail.

 

In spite of these all harsh conditions, the Church continued to grow! The communist cadres were able to torture only the flesh of Christians but not their spirit. Although the believers wore fetters like criminals, the work of God was not fettered, as Paul also witnessed to Timothy. Therefore, underground witnessing and evangelizing continued. As a result many new areas were reached with the gospel and many became obedient to the faith. When the Church was reopened in 1989, so many new believers celebrated the victory of the faith with the previous ones.

 

This is what Rev. Malcolm Vandevort was to write about the growth after he visited the area in 1994:

 

“People’s Movement! Two months of circulation around Mizan Teferi as far as Tepe and shewa Gimira require that label. The numbers require it. The not more than 10 Churches north and east of Mizan Teferi to a few miles beyond Temenjayz (this is the same “village Taminjayaze” which Haspels had mentioned in his letter) when we left in 1977 have grown to 76 full congregations and 293 preaching points. They are organized into the 12 parishes (soon to be 14) of the Central Southwest Bethel Presbytery of the Mekane Yesus Church (officially, the Evangelical church of Ethiopia, Mekane Yesus).-------”

D. The Synod Formation

Thus the Executive Committee of the National Church (the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus) decided in 1995 that the presbytery (the then Central Southwest Bethel Presbytery) could become a synod. So the 15^th General Assembly of the EECMY, which met in January 1996 declared the formation of the synod under the name of the South West Bethel Synod.

 

According to the official statistics for the year 1996, the total membership of the synod was 64,261.

E. The SWBS Today

The statistical data recently collected show that the total membership is now more than 223,000. The established congregations are 156 and there are also 210 preaching places, which are growing to become full congregations in the near future. We are expecting that the 3^rd Synod Convention that will meet in April of 2005 will formalize the establishment of at least 50 congregations. The congregations and preaching places are organized into 17 parishes.

 

Challenges and Visions

 

 Outreach- There are still very vast unreached areas around us, from Tol (in the east) to Bali or Zalmamo (in the west). We feel it is our responsibility to take the liberating Gospel of Jesus to these folks who are under both spiritual and physical darkness.

 

 Poverty- The great majority of the people in this Southwestern part of the country live under the poverty line! Different sustainable projects are designed to alleviate the suffering and we desperately need prayers and supports of partners.

 

 HIV/AIDS- Needless to say, this pandemic disease, coupled with harsh poverty situation, is becoming beyond the capacity of the government. The Church can by no means stand aloof. Our Synod has long been involved in struggling with the problem although finance is highly limiting us. We need prayers and supports from our friends.

 

 Self Reliance- Restructuring of the Synod activities continues. Employment contract of twelve workers has already been terminated. Parishes and congregations are being made to pay salaries for all pastors, evangelists and their leaders. They are also trying to support outreach areas as much as they can. Different income generating activities are being initiated and supports are needed to accomplish them.

  

“The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding…” Neh. 2:20.