Pastor Brian brings greetings from Ethiopia
September 21, 2009
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Brian Cooper writes:
Greetings in the name of the Lord!
I just returned from Ethiopia and am very encouraged by what God is doing. It was amazing to hear the stories and miracles of how God is revealing himself to the Ethiopian people. It is our hope & desire to share these experiences with you! My team was able to survey 22 of the 36 Ethio-Free Methodist churches. Many of these churches are still unsponsored and it is my hope that we can find sponsors for all of our brothers & sisters in Christ. Below is a list of churches that we were able to survey:
Shashamene
Arbegona
Shalobele
Tete
Kokosa
Betela
Bono
Shashohoncho
Akile
Daei
Zeway
Alem Tena
Nazret
Dera
Genjo
Aroresa
Bofa
Doni
Gembora
Sifa
Sima
Addis Ababa
We were able to visit 17 of the 22 sites and obtain HD video as well as photographs to help you get to know the churches and their pastors. At each church visited, we were able to have a sit down video interview with the pastors, take pictures of the church property, and find out the spiritual, educational and health needs of the local community. My team and I are more than willing to try and meet with you and your staff to introduce you to an Ethio-FM church that would be a good fit for a partnership with you and your local church. Feel free to email me at: brian@mvfmc.org or call my cell phone at: 626-233-4944.
If you already know which church you'd like to sponsor, simply go the conference website: http://fmcsc.org/sponsorship.html and register.
Please continue to remember the Ethio-FM churches in your prayers. Many are experiencing persecution from the Muslim communities and those that practice witchcraft. It has been extremely encouraging to hear that 2 of the biggest things that are converting Muslims and sorcerers to the gospel are:
- 1. miracles and signs that are being manifested through our Ethio-FM churches and
- 2. Christian education. Schools are in high demand in many of our church communities and Muslims, as well as sorcerers, will send their children to a Christian school in order to educate their children. Unfortunately, many of the communities don't have a school nearby so many don't even have the option of being educated. The amazing thing is that in many cases, a school only costs between $2,000 and $10,000 to build! Such a small price to advance the gospel and impact a community for Christ.
Join me in prayer!
Shalom,
Brian Cooper
Mountain View Free Methodist Church
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Ethiopia Update from Brian Cooper
September 20, 2009
Greetings family and friends!
Our time in Ethiopia has been extremely fruitful! Our hearts have been hopeful, encouraged, and broken. We are seeing so much being done in the name of the Lord, but there is so much more to be done. Thank you for your prayers! We have definitely felt them upon us as we've traveled across Ethiopia. Keep the prayers coming!
We had a fantastic trip to the Arbegona area. We were able to physically visit 5 of the 9 churches in the region. Because of a heavy rainfall, we were not able to travel to the remaining 4. However, Pastor Taye (their district superintendant) gave us a detailed description of the churches and their current needs. Many miracles and healings are being done in that area and there is no doubt that God is being reveled to those people. I've had the opportunity to preach, encourage, and pray over our Ethiopian pastors and God has blessed us tremendously!
I am currently in Nazret and we are getting ready to survey Alem Tena and the Nazret churches. We are excited about sharing all of this information with you and know that it will encourage your hearts! We will be in Addis in 5 days so I will be able to send out another update before departing the country.
Please pray for:
1. Heather and Rob have a slight stomach bug, not too pleasant. Pray for healing.
2. I find myself spiritually exhausted by the end of the day. I've been pouring myself out onto our Ethiopian brothers and sisters and have been leaning on the Lord for strength. There is a definite spirtual battle taking place for our team. Pray for strength!
3. Pray for safe travel. Those of you that have been in country know that the driving is crazy here! Pray for a hedge of protection around our vehicle!
So far we've crossed the thresholds of:
Shashamene
Shalobele
Tete
Arbegona
Kokosa
Betela
Zoway
[map]
One thing that has been a growing challenge for all of these churches is the growing Muslim aggression. Many of these villages are experiencing persecution from the Muslim presence. Pray that the Lord will let these churches shine in a dark place! They need our support and love. I look forward to sharing what God is doing in Ethiopia with all of you when I return.
Oh yeah, the coffee over here is FABULOUS!!! ;)
--
Shalom,
Pastor Brian
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Update on Ethiopia - Arbagona area churches
September 19, 2009
Pastor Taye (Ethiopia) reports that the churches around the Arbagona region are booming.
We can praise the Lord together for the way God is building His Kingdom.
From Pastor Taye:
Greetings!
I rejoice when I read God’s word (Psalm 37). I learn more and more from this passage & am blessed by it.
Language barriers & accessibility keep me from communicating and reporting more frequently and directly. I’m praying for Gods help here.
Concerning Church ministry in our district:
The church ministry is continued in faith, peace and grace. All church servants and church members are cooperating with each other in their respective ministry services and in a friendly manner. For example, last month in the Betela & Bono churches, 31 new people came to Christ & were baptized.
Furthermore, in the Shshewencho, Shalobele and Dahe churches 72 new people were added and are ready to be baptized.
In Arbegona I meet every day with the local government district leaders & we discuss Eden Projects. They are so appreciative of ERP's efforts to restore their local environment!
Praise God!
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New Extended-Term Missionaries in Ethiopia
September 18, 2009
Free Methodist World Missions announced on October 16, 2008, the appointment of three new extended- term missionaries by the Missions Executive Leadership Team. One of these three are the Triers!
"Tim and Jervaun Trier of the Southern California Conference were appointed to Africa and will be serving in Ethiopia. The Triers' ministry will include the areas of evangelism, outreach and compassion. They are members of The Lamb's Fellowship in Lake Elsinore, CA, and have two elementary-aged children, Juliette and Timmy."
From Tim:
“Jervaun and I are excited and humbled that God has chosen us for His mission. I recently read something from the Word of God. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is small and ordinary, it doesn't boast size or stature, in a sense it is humble and meek. But it grows to the largest of garden plants. The kingdom of God is like this? It is. The kingdom of God is the transforming presence of Him in ordinary humans who live out the love of Christ. We are ordinary humans and it is our desire to live this out as we serve the Ethiopians for Jesus Christ.”
Let's remember to support them prayerfully and financially.
Ways You Can Support
- Post a picture in your church [link].
- Send an e-mail [link].
- Offer your financial support by mailing/completing this donation form [link] and mailing it to:
Free Methodist World Missions
PO Box 535002
Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002
Your check needs to be designated to: "Trier MSA"
Keep checking back; next week we'll post more specific needs as the Trier's head out.
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Photos from Steve's Trip to Kenya
September 17, 2009
As many of you know, Steve Fitch recently returned from a 15 day trip to Kenya. During this trip Steve met with Dr. Modry and was able to see first-hand some of the rabies inoculation work that we have partnered with through Eden Projects. Here are some pictures from the trip.
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