Called, trained, sent - for vibrant congregations around the world

We ask for your support to ensure that growing churches in partner churches have well-trained leaders who respond appropriately to people and organise helpful congregational work.

"In Ethiopia today, political uncertainty, terrible inflation and the resulting economic insecurity are unmistakable and of great magnitude," reports Dr Yacob Godebo, Director of Studies at the Mekane-Yesus Seminary in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

The partner churches need well-trained employees in order to be able to accompany people appropriately and develop church work. Many of them are growing: the Mekane-Yesus Church, for example, is now the world's largest Lutheran church with around 12 million members.

This is why the ELM supports training in a variety of ways: In Ethiopia, future lecturers at the seminary of the Ethiopian partner church are supported so that they can later train themselves.
One of them is Abigia Kuke. Studying is important to her, "to expand my knowledge and improve my understanding of theology. That way, I can serve my church with well-trained knowledge. It is also important for me to learn how to serve the community and equip future generations with a solid theological and biblical foundation. I am confident that I will make a positive contribution to the church with the scholarship."

Mihret Zenebe adds: "The programme has improved my teaching methods and now enables me to communicate theological ideas in a more accessible and engaging way. With the knowledge I have now acquired, I am able to advise and mentor others in their theological education."

Dr Yacob Godebo summarises: "As a result, we as a church have better trained leaders and clergy and can provide the congregations with better trained employees."

Nkosinathi M. Myaka, the leading bishop for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, writes in a similar vein: " The resumption of theological education in Umphumulo will help to bridge the gap between formal academic theological education and the practical needs and concerns of the congregations. And also to find contextualised theological answers to the social, political, economic and religious conditions in the region."

Or in the very practical words of Dorika Kadzombe, an evangelist in Lilongwe (Malawi): "The training for my ministry has changed me. I have gained self-confidence through the topics covered."

Thank you for your donation, so that growing congregations in partner churches can have well-trained leaders who respond appropriately to people and organise helpful congregational work.