Dear co-workers in the kingdon, warm greetings in the name above all names, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who called us to serve Him in this generation.
With hearts overflowing with joy and gratitude, I write to share the incredible work the Lord has accomplished through the May Church Planting Mobilization Outreach Campaign under the leadership I’m entrusted. Truly, the month of May has been one of unprecedented spiritual breakthrough, marked by both visible transformation and deep opposition.
Our national goal was to mobilize 100,000 believers, reach 1.5 million people with the Gospel, and plant 500 churches and faith communities. But God, in His power and grace, has done far more than we imagined.The campaign launched with two powerful days of fasting and united prayer from May 8–9. More than 100 GCM staff and volunteers gathered online to cry out with one heart for revival. What followed was a four-week movement of the Holy Spirit, sweeping through villages, towns, and urban centers alike.
The mobilization involved every form of Gospel expression. The staff and volunteers were served in ways that were both spiritual and practical: Trainings, Sunday preachings, Personal evangelism and street outreach, Ministry to prisoners, refugees, and the poor, Showing the Jesus Film and distributing MegaVoice audio Bibles, House-to-house visits and Sunday Gospel preaching, Rebuilding broken homes and cleaning cities, Providing food, clothes, medical care, and sanitary support, Youth soccer events used as bridges to share the Gospel, Mass mobilization through prayer walks, discipleship groups, and Bible study and so on.
But the Darkness Fought Back. As the Gospel advanced, so did spiritual resistance. Protests were stirred up in multiple locations. Many volunteers were arrested; some were injured, disgraced, and even hospitalized. In a heartbreaking moment, one of our church planters was killed by a rebel groupHere is a summary of what God has accomplished through this campaign:
We extend our warm greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. As we celebrate Ethiopian Christmas and step into the new year, we find it essential to reflect on the remarkable journey that 2023 has been for our family and ministry. It has been a year filled with challenges, milestones, and the unwavering faithfulness of God. We are immensely thankful for the significant moments that have shaped our lives, and we are eager to share with you some of the major highlights that have taken place in our lives during the past year.
Family Update
At the beginning of 2023, our hearts swelled with joy as we witnessed our special needs daughter, Bethany, taking her first steps. Her journey from crawling to confidently walking and even jumping has been a testament to the remarkable progress in her development. We are filled with gratitude for the milestones she has achieved and the resilience she has shown.
Another significant change in our lives was our move to Addis Ababa after seven years of living in Debre Zeit. This transition allowed us to find a suitable facility for Bethany, tailored to her special needs. Additionally, she became the first student at the first Down syndrome school in Ethiopia, a place we had fervently prayed for and sought for the past two years. This progress has brought immeasurable joy and hope to our family.
Furthermore, we were blessed to receive generous gifts that enabled us to complete the basic finishing work on our house. Despite the challenges we faced, we are grateful that all members of our immediate and extended family made it through the year alive. Each moment has been a testimony to God’s faithfulness and provision in our lives.
Ministry Update
In 2023, our ministry witnessed remarkable growth and impact. The responsibilities entrusted to us for national leadership were met with God’s enabling grace, resulting in abundant fruits. Here are some of the key achievements that marked our ministry’s journey:
Prayer and Fasting: Over 62,502 people were mobilized and trained for prayer, fostering a culture of spiritual growth and intercession.
Training: More than 158,981 individuals were equipped for various aspects of ministry, including evangelism, discipleship, leadership, healthy marriage, children, and church planting.
Gospel Exposure: The message of the gospel reached over 2,535,409 people, leading to 107,679 decisions to follow Christ. A total of 53,575 new believers were engaged in follow-up, nurturing their newfound faith.
Church Planting and Groups: A total of 785 churches and groups were planted, and about 17,859 new believers into the community of faith.
Bible Study: An average of 8208 believers engaged in weekly bible study within 687 groups, fostering spiritual growth and community.
Special Events: Notable events such as the Ignite Women Conference, 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer, Staff Achievement Annual Celebration, Reaching Oral People initiative, and Children Summer Camp were instrumental in mobilizing, training, and engaging individuals for transformative ministry.
Partnership Development: Emphasizing missional effectiveness and self-sustainability, we have made significant strides in developing partnerships and fostering sustainable growth in our ministry endeavors.
Gratitude
As we reflect on the milestones of 2023, we are filled with gratitude for the lives transformed, the communities reached, and the hope that has been ignited. Each achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment and dedication of every individual who has contributed to these significant milestones.
Prayer Request
We humbly request your prayers in the following areas:
Healthy Family: Over the past three months, our family has faced constant health challenges. The impact has been particularly significant on our special needs daughter, Bethany, whose low immunity makes her vulnerable. Your compassionate prayers for our family’s health and strength are deeply appreciated.
Financial Support: We find ourselves in a critical situation due to the increasing cost of living in the capital city. Our living expenses have risen, and the burden of school payments and housing loan back payments has added to our financial strain. Despite our prayers for increased support, our monthly sustenance has been decreasing. We earnestly seek your prayers for God’s provision of families and individuals who can support us, enabling us to continue the ministry entrusted to us.
As we look back on the journey of 2023, we find ourselves standing on the foundation of faith, hope, and unwavering commitment. We are deeply grateful for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement that have sustained us through every challenge and problem. Together, let us step into the new year with hearts filled with hope, faith, and the assurance of God’s faithfulness.
Making My Generation God's Generals 