Last September, Kathy and I set up a table with our resources at the International Orality Network conference (ION). A man from Africa came by and I said, “Let me guess where you are from . . . Ethiopia!” He said, “How did you know?” A few hours later, we saw him sitting by himself, and we asked him to join us. Then, we had lunch together. God was putting on my heart to spend time with this man and learn about him.

He was born into an Ethiopian Orthodox family, and as he grew up, he was groomed for significant leadership in that Church. Then, he met the living Christ, began boldly proclaiming the Gospel, and was thrown out of his house by his family!

Mezgebu Tsemru

Undaunted, he continued proclaiming Christ, founded a church, and now, 25 years later is the founder and president of Church Multiplication Gospel Mission (CMGM) which is taking the Gospel to every part of Ethiopia, including unreached tribal people.

During the ION conference, we had a private mini-conference. We shared with him about teaching the Bible as a story, using the 6 Cs – Creation, Catastrophe, Covenants, Christ, Church/Commission, and Consummation. We showed him our video, The Renewal of All Things, and God worked deeply in his heart.

350 Attendees, 15 Nations, 1 Goal

On April 27, Mezgebu Tsemru, will officially launch CMGM, and I will be there to help him. This event will be attended by 350 Church, Ministry, and Denomination leaders from 15 African nations. He will share the vision for Ethiopia and beyond.

One key component for his vision is our video – The Renewal of All Things. He said, “Your video is powerful, dramatic, clear, and concise. It is a shortened version of the Jesus film. We can use it to bring many to Christ, quickly, in Ethiopia.” He will show the Amharic version on April 27, explain his vision to use it in his country, and encourage others to translate it for their nations.

Mezgebu has asked me to join him in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the official inauguration of CMGM and to meet ministry leaders from these countries. We will go, and we have also committed to help with the costs for this great event. Many of those coming are poor, and there is much expense for their travel, food, lodging, and materials.

Will you join me in prayer for this event on April 27 and ask God is he would have you share a financial gift? WGS has committed to raise half the expenses for that evening – about $5000 – which will ensure a successful night of vision casting for all who attend. This night will accelerate the spread of the Gospel in Ethiopia and beyond.

You can mail a gift to WGS – PO Box 90047 – San Antonio, TX 78209. Be sure to mark your check for Ethiopia. You can also give online at www.WGSministries.org/product/partner-with-wgs-ministries/. When you check out, in the Notes box, indicate that your gift is for Ethiopia. We need your help!

A Happy Ending

There is a happy ending to this story. Even though Mezgebu was thrown out of his house, he continued to love his father and mother. Today, with his wife and three children, they live together! God is the God of healing and reconciliation.

We are grateful for this opportunity to help this man who is well-connected with leaders from around the world, and especially African countries. He is committed to and part of the Disciple Making Movement and the Church Planting Movement. Our desire is to assist him as he works with his evangelistic and church planting teams to see such movements take hold in his country and beyond.

Thank you for your prayers and sharing that will help us reach the people of Ethiopia and other countries.

Jonathan Williams – President, WGS Ministries

You can use this link to share your gift for Ethiopia.