With deep sadness, we share that Gethsemane Children’s Ministry in Alem Gena, Ethiopia, has been shut down after authorities enforced compliance with their required syllabus and regulations. For more than a decade, we hosted about a hundred children brought by their parents every day (Monday–Friday), many of whom were poor and deeply appreciative of this ministry. Pastor Ephrem Chiracho and his co-labourers grieve this loss of opportunity to teach the children God’s Word and minister to them with Christian love. (A report of these events is published in today’s bulletin.)
Our mission partners in parts of China and India continue to face government and societal pressure to curb their ministries and close their churches. A recent report from India says, “Tough anti-conversion law kicks in this week, Mumbai pastors ask churchgoers to sign form [that] they are praying of their ‘free will’”.
Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 20:19 remind us that faithful service may involve painful trials and tears. “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews.” These words describe the spirit in which he laboured and the hardships he endured.
The phrase, “Serving the Lord”, identifies who Paul’s true Master is and the purpose of his ministry. Though his ministry benefited people, his allegiance was to Christ. He therefore would not shape his message to win man’s approval neither compromise the Gospel truths. He faithfully declared what his hearers needed, including “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 21).
“With all humility of mind” describes his inward disposition. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul knew that he must put on the humility of Christ. Humility enabled him to labour among others without making himself the centre of his ministry. With humility, Paul willingly accepted discomfort, ridicule, and persecution.
His service involved “many tears”. He also recalled warning everyone “night and day with tears” (v. 31). His teaching carried earnest concern for their spiritual welfare. He proclaimed the truth with pastoral affection while enduring afflictions. “Temptations” here refers to trials, including the plots of Jewish opponents. Paul’s humility and compassion did not shield him from hostility. Yet opposition did not turn him from his calling.
These words call us to examine our service for our Saviour and Lord. Do we serve for Christ’s glory in submission to His commands? Are we accepting and enduring troubles that come as we care deeply for the souls? Faithful ministry requires steadfast obedience when difficulties arise. Let us ask the Lord for grace to serve with humility, tenderness, and endurance.
As we hear of this sad development in our mission field, let us humbly uphold those who have laboured, pray for the children and their families, and ask the Lord to open more doors for His Word. Though this ministry’s work must cease, “the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). May we therefore remain “patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12), trusting the Lord to guide His servants in the days ahead.
Dear Pastor Koshy,
Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We are very thankful to God for all His mercy, goodness and faithfulness towards His servants in Ethiopia. The LORD has been gracious to us as we have been labouring in His vineyards. We are also heartily thankful for all the prayers, visits, and sacrificial support that God’s work and His servants have received from Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore. May the Almighty God richly bless our leaders and all the brethren in Gethsemane!
Recently, government agents from the Oromia Education Bureau visited Gethsemane Children’s Ministry (GCM) in Alem Gena. Although they greatly appreciated our work supporting the needy by offering free education in a morally upright and disciplined church environment, they asked us to comply with the MOE requirements.
This compliance means we need to register GCM as a charitable school, adopt the government’s curriculum, segregate the space used for teaching children (including the playground, toilets, classrooms, etc.) using a barbed-wire fence, and prepare separate office, staff, Montessori, and first-aid rooms for GCM. We are told that this is the standard set by the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Oromia Education Bureau is required to enforce it in our case.
We went to the Oromia Education Bureau and discussed with the officer the possibility of a special privilege that would exempt our church from these requirements. However, the office is not willing to allow us to continue in the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry format. Furthermore, the office insisted that it cannot allow our church to continue its teaching and learning work unless we register with the Oromia Education Bureau and comply with the conditions it has stated.
Because of this difficult situation, we had no choice but to stop the teaching and learning ministry in GCM. Our church is greatly troubled by the whole situation. We are very sorry to share this sad news. This is one of the saddest things that has happened to our work here in Ethiopia.
When we called those poor parents who have been receiving free education at our GCM and informed them of the temporary cessation of this teaching ministry, they responded with tears. However, we could not help them since we could not go against the rules of the land. So, we wrote supporting letters for the parents, and they took their children to various schools.
Yet our leadership prayed over this situation to see if there was a chance to bring those children back to our church to learn God’s Word. We decided to call parents willing to send their children to Gethsemane on Saturdays so they can continue learning the Gospel. Some parents responded positively.
And last Saturday, we received 18 children who came and studied God’s Word, even though it was a holiday in Ethiopia. We hope to receive more children the following Saturday, as we continue to teach them the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ through a series of messages from the Gospel of John.
We have also realigned a few of our full-time GCM teachers to other areas of church ministry. It was a difficult time, but the LORD has been merciful to us through all our difficulties. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Please continue to pray for God’s work here in Ethiopia.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Ephrem Chiracho, on behalf of Gethsemane B-P Church of Ethiopia
