Ethiopia Report
by Richard Goebel SOC Field Worker
The School of Christ in Ethiopia is rejoicing and thanking God for a very fruitful year. We see the fulfillment of scripture every day, and we know the season of Christ's return draws nigh. In preparation of that great appearing, we see the Word being preached in all nations and the poor having the Gospel preached unto them.
The School of Christ works with five pastors throughout Ethiopia. These are our leaders and the men God has called to this work. They are some of the most pure hearted, Godly and committed men you could ever find.
In 2011, schools were scheduled in the months of January, March, May, July, September and November. Each of these months saw the completion of four schools. Many of these schools had between 30 and 50 students, but some had more than 100 students.
We continue to hear of the great work the Lord does in the hearts of Pastors as God reveals the true calling of Christ through His Spirit. The testimonies are ever a blessing and an encouragement. In every school we continue to see Pastors cry out to God for repentance, for mercy, for His Spirit to fill them and for their lives to be used of God as He desires. The fervent early morning prayer; followed by the Word (like a fire and as a hammer) continuously does the work of God. We see men that have been in ministry, sometimes for many years, brought to a face to face meeting with themselves, the old nature and Christ. The results of this encounter always amaze us and cause us to praise God for his great mercy and love. First the heart is changed. Then the life changes. Then the ministry changes. And finally we see the local assembly change. It is always life bringing forth life.
Men who have been preaching for years testify that they now see the true purpose for being saved and the true calling of ministry. We have seen men healed as they sat under the teaching of the Word of God. And when visitors have come to see what was happening; we have seen demons cast out and the alcoholic delivered.
The field of Ethiopia is white to harvest and we pray that the Master will send forth more laborers in the coming year. Doors are opening and we have many Pastors in very remote places who wish to hear the teaching of the School of Christ. Some of the schools are held in the capital city of Addis Ababa, but this year a great effort was made to travel to some very remote areas with the school. In some cases, it took our workers 2 complete days to get to the sight of the schools, but they went because they believed 80 or 90 pastors would be gathered. Only to arrive and find more than 130 pastors desired to attend. Every place the school is completed, we hear the same request; to please return to teach others.
In addition to these schools that were funded by the head office in Beaumont, we have had at least 5 other schools that were "self funded" during the year. This trend began in 2010, with at least 3 schools being funded by the local churches.Our prayer is that this trend will continue and increase in 2012.
The School of Christ has been planting seeds in Ethiopia for 4 years now. Over the past two years, great emphasis has been placed on the fact that Ethiopia must be won by Ethiopians preaching to Ethiopians. In the year 2012, we expect the school to continue to run smaller, (due to local budgets), but highly effective, self funded schools throughout Ethiopia.
The outgrowth of the Revival Fire that the SOC has brought forth is that there has been a great missionary outreach into many areas that have never known a true Christian witness. In 2011 alone, the workers that we work with have handed out more than 350,000 tracts. They continually send missionary teams into the remote and unreached areas; particularly in the Muslim and Orthodox dominated areas of the north. Thousands have heard the Gospel preached in the last 12 months.
Our brethren have suffered much persecution, beatings and jail for preaching. (As we write this report, at least two of our brothers are in prison right now for preaching the Gospel, and have already won souls to Christ while in Prison) Truly, the fruit brings glory to our heavenly Father. In one instance we were asked to purchase 148 bibles for new converts after a concentrated time of missionary outreach.
We continue to see opportunities in the whole Horn of Africa, that surrounds Ethiopia, as well. In 2011 we held our first school for brethren from Djibouti and our second school for brethren from Somalia. These students were all former muslims who were very hungry to learn more about the one who had washed away their sins.
We hope to run our first school in Sudan within the next few months. There is a great desire among muslims to hear about Christ. Many pastors have expressed interest in attending the SOC in these countries and we desire to see this happen.
We wish to sincerely thank our brothers and sisters who have prayed for this area of the world. We know that we are but servants to the great King, and we know that the results we see are the results of answered prayer. One plants, one waters; but God gives the increase!
The King is coming, let us be found faithful.
Bro. Richard Goebel
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