The work in Ethiopia first started in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, in August 2005. It was started by Rev. Ephrem Chiracho, who was a member of Gethsemane B-P Church (Singapore) when he was studying at Far Eastern Bible College.
While the church has grown steadily over the years, it is not without trouble. The church faces many oppositions from the charismatic churches in the area. We thank the LORD that the church and its members have remained faithful.
Since 2012, the work has been headed by Pr Engida Tefara. Pr Imane Dola, a graduate of Bible College of East Africa, co-labours with Pr Engida. Rev. Ephrem Chiracho continues to give the pastoral oversight to the church in Addis Ababa.
The work in Alem Gena was started by Rev. Ephrem Chiracho in January 2009. By God's mercy, the work in Alem Gena also includes spreading the gospel to villages in the nearby area. These villagers are mainly animists who are devotees of ancestral spirits while the rest are adherents to the Ethiopian Coptic Church. We need much prayer for the fruitfulness of this great work.
There is also an evangelistic children's outreach to the poor children in the area. The children are taught to read and write, and the gospel is also shared to the children.
Gethsemane Bible Institute in Ethiopia is a crucial global missions arm of the Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore. It was set up with the purpose of providing sound biblical, theological and practical training for full-time ministers as well as lay people to equip them for the accomplishment of the Great Commission. The GBI is located in Alem Gena.
The GBI was officially inaugurated in 2012 during the third missionary conference of Gethsemane B-P Church that was held in Ethiopia. Its facilities were built from the generous and sacrificial giving of God’s people in Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore, and other like-minded Bible-Presbyterian churches. The Bible Institute includes a chapel, a college block, a dormitory block, and a dining hall.