The Ethiopian FMC has stepped up its church-planting efforts and anticipates a more rapid increase of new churches and corresponding training programs to multiply church planters and pastors. Outreach ministries include International Child Care Ministries (ICCM) schools and a feeding and study program.
This work began in 1998 through the partnership of Free Methodist World Missions and the Free Methodist Church in Southern California. The first Free Methodist Church service was held in May 1999. On March 9, 2012, the Ethiopia FMC gained provisional annual conference status.
Ethiopia’s FM churches in six geographical areas. Our support, together with a more substantial portion from the Ethiopian churches, helps these churches carry out their ministries and support their pastors.
Training for ten pastor-trainers who come together three times a year for several days. Funds cover transportation and food costs, as well as the printing costs of over 60,000 pages of materials for the ten pastors and each of their two students.
The significant expense to bring pastors and delegates together for annual conference meetings. (The local churches of Ethiopia are spread quite widely.)
Costs associated with Supt. Makebib bringing pastoral training to different areas of Ethiopia: continuing education for district leaders, participants’ food and transportation for seminars and the overall organizing from Addis Ababa.
Ministry to street children carried on through the Megananga church in Addis. It includes Saturday programing, assisting participants to enroll in and continue in school, and some feeding.