Shashemene, Ethiopia

A key crossroad city in southern Ethiopia, Shashemene has several churches but very few preach the true Gospel. A fledgling Bible College has two classrooms and a sparse library. The school’s president is now seeking faculty members. TLI’s non-formal program utilizes this school’s facilities to provide crucial training in Biblical interpretation and exposition, which local leaders lack. In so doing, we help stem the tide of the “prosperity gospel” heresy that predominates here.

POPULATION

122,046

LANGUAGES

Oromo and Amharic

RELIGION

30% Ethiopian Orthodox
28% Muslim
24% Ethnic
18% Evangelical

We have a show called Ethiopian Idol. On this show, young musicians, dancers, and artists get the chance to perform and be critiqued and coached by senior stars. The young performers are being excellently trained and improved greatly. How much more should we be doing this in the church? And yet, there is no one to sit in the back when you preach, take notes, and help you grow. Today, you took part in something even better than Ethiopian Idol. What an opportunity. What a gift.

Pastor Tesfaye