We recently returned from a powerful and fruitful trip to Ethiopia, and I’m thrilled to share the highlights with you.
Our five-person team spent a week training pastors and church leaders, investing in the next generation of faithful, equipped disciple-makers. Over just five days, we completed three different courses and trained 97 men and women representing 67 churches throughout the region. It was a full schedule, but deeply impactful and a testament to God’s strength and provision every step of the way.
The Team
Our team consisted of James B., his wife Carmin, Mitch B., his wife Julie, and myself, along with our generous local driver, ML, and two dedicated interpreters, W and M. James and Mitch led the Biblical Interpretation course, while Julie and Carmin led a group of 25 women through our Living in Grace course. I had the privilege of teaching our Introduction to Muslim Ministry course to two different groups.
Training Highlights
On the first day of training, I taught a session on how to interpret the Psalms as part of the Biblical Interpretation course. The participants were eager and engaged, working together in small groups to apply what they were learning. Later in the week, I taught a session on Muslim Ministry to our entire group of pastors along with the women. This full-room session was electric with joy, especially as I shared how God is moving powerfully in the Muslim world. Many were deeply moved, including a few women who wept with joy upon hearing how many Muslims are coming to Christ today.
During this session, I invited everyone to pair up and pray for a Muslim they personally knew. The room erupted with fervent prayer—loud, heartfelt, and passionate. It was a holy moment that I won’t soon forget.
Stories of Faith and Courage
One particularly powerful moment came when a woman in the Friday course shared her testimony of leaving Islam to follow Christ. Her father fled after she, her mother, and her siblings converted. Her story powerfully illustrated the cost many face when choosing to follow Jesus, and it also underscored the urgent need for prayer. Please join us in praying for her father, Mustafa, that he may come to know the Lord and be reunited with his family.
We also received encouraging feedback from our participants. One pastor said, “The training is so exciting. It gave me amazing insight. Thank you, ELI.” Another added, “We learned excellent things. If we continue learning in the same way, we would be fruitful.” It’s clear these leaders are hungry for more.
Moments Beyond the Classroom
God’s hand was on this trip in more ways than we could count, including moments of unexpected strength. One night, after teaching all day in a town 40 minutes away, I preached to a group of 70 to 80 youth. Though I hadn’t eaten dinner and was physically spent, I experienced a strange and wonderful supply of energy. I truly believe the Lord carried me through that evening, as I wasn’t even hungry after returning to the hotel. It was a moment of supernatural strength.
God also opened doors for Gospel conversations outside of the training sessions. On the flight over, I had a long and meaningful conversation with a Muslim man named Amin, a refugee from Sudan now living in the U.S. I had the privilege of sharing the full Gospel with him and even gave him a copy of the Gospel of Mark and a special resource called Adha in the Injeel. We’ve since stayed in touch, and I’m praying that God reveals Himself to Amin in a dream or vision.
Another man, Ali, worked at our hotel. Though our conversations were brief, they were warm, and on our last day, I was able to give him a copy of the Gospel of Mark. He received it with appreciation and asked to stay in touch. More seeds sown, and more prayers going up for God to bring a harvest.
Prayer Requests & Praises
Praises:
- A safe, successful trip to Ethiopia and God’s clear provision
- Strength and good health throughout
- The opportunity to train 97 leaders and impact 67 churches
Requests:
- For strength, protection, and perseverance for those we trained in Ethiopia
- For God to raise up “Timothys” among these pastors—faithful, multiplying leaders
- For bold, clear, and faithful Gospel ministry in Ethiopia
- For Amin and Ali to have dreams and visions of Jesus, and for ongoing discipleship opportunities
Thank you for partnering with us through prayer and support. Your investment is helping to equip leaders who will multiply Gospel impact across East Africa and beyond.
