Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. It has been an independent country since ancient times, and unlike other African countries, it maintained its freedom from colonial rule except for a brief period of Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. Its monarchy was overthrown in 1974 and the country is now a democratic republic. More than half of the population is Christian and a third is Muslim. While Ethiopia has struggled with severe poverty and hunger issues, it currently boasts one of the fastest-growing economies on the African continent.
Presbyterian work in Ethiopia dates back to 1918. Regent Haile Selassie, soon to become king, invited the Presbyterian Church to come into the country to help with the great 1918–19 worldwide flu epidemic. Dr. Lamby, a Presbyterian missionary in the Sudan responded and established the present hospital in Dembidollo and the school and church there. He went on to establish hospitals in Addis Ababa, which became the Pasteur Institute then the Pasteur Research Institute (for infectious diseases). Another of the hospitals became the world-renowned ALERT (Africa Leprosy Research and Training Center). He is still looked upon as a national hero. Later, Haile Selassie, in the early 1960s, also invited the Presbyterian Church to send missionaries to two remote provinces of southwest Ethiopia in what was known as the Illababour-Kaffa project.
A number of long-term Presbyterian missionaries have continued the ministry in this area through the years. The PC(USA)’s partner church, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), includes 17 synods, five of which (each with “Bethel” in their name) are Presbyterian. Other synods have Lutheran and Reformed Church backgrounds.
If you’d like to know more about the work of World Mission in education or evangelism in Ethiopia, you can download and read the PDF below.
Reconciliation Efforts
Training Leaders for Community Transformation using CHE in Ethiopia
About our work
Sharon Kandel is serving as the regional liaison in Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. As such, she serves as point person for our global partners there, for U.S. constituents, mission co-workers, Presbyterian World Mission, and Presbyterian Mission Agency staff. Sharon is deeply engaged in South Sudan where she lives. South Sudan has multiple and diverse needs, so she feels blessed to be able to work with people in South Sudan with a wide assortment of talents and abilities. Sharon continues to work for peace in South Sudan and to be an encouraging partner presence for the Presbyterian churches there.
You can find out more about Sharon's ministry on her profile page, which can be found here.
Partner churches and organizations
Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY)
Bethel Synods Coordination Office
Eastern Gambela Synod
Illubabor Bethel Synod
Southwest Bethel Synod
Western Gambela Bethel Synod
Western Wollega Bethel Synod
Partner institutions
Bethel Evangelical Secondary School
Berhane Yesus Elementary School
Bethel Mekane Yesus School
Mekane Yesus Seminary
Presbytery partnerships
Shenandoah Presbytery
Susquehanna Valley Presbytery
Washington Presbytery
Ethiopia Mission Network
The Ethiopia Mission Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries, or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and develop strategies.
For information, contact Lynn Reeves at polygalagay@gmail.com.
The Ethiopia Mission Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries, or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and develop strategies.
For information, contact Lynn Reeves at polygalagay@gmail.com.
Sharon Kandel, Regional Liaison, sharon.kandel@pcusa.org
Ethiopia Mission Network - The Ethiopia Mission Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries, or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies.
For information, contact Lynn Reeves at polygalagay@gmail.com.