Ethiopian Christians are Calling on their International Brothers and Sisters:
"Join us on the road to Jimma!"
Hear the story of God’s work in Ethiopia over the last century. Discover what’s taking shape today as the Spirit stirs local believers toward their least-reached neighbors. And find out how you can partner with them.
Watch the video "A Fork in the Road" by the SIM Ethiopia team:
Jesus is Building His Church In Ethiopia
In the nine decades since SIM workers first followed the Spirit to serve among the unreached Wolyta people, God has been faithful and many hearts have opened to Jesus.
A strong Church now thrives in this region and more than 100,000 local believers gather each year to worship together. All this, in part, because 100 years ago people here in the U.S. were faithful to send workers who were willing to go where there was no other gospel witness.
Now, the church that was borne among those early disciples is eager to partner with SIM Ethiopia in taking the gospel to their unreached neighbors—more than three million of whom live in the region of Jimma.
They are inviting global believers to join them in their effort.
“We believe the Body of Christ, and mission, is most heathy when it is diverse and represented by many nationalities. So even though it is helpful to have local workers, the ministry is far more powerful when there is a multi-cultural team,” Said one of the Ethiopia team members.
American workers—if they come with the right posture and attitude—can bring valuable attributes, they say. They see many strengths in the Christians sent by US Churches that are much needed on their teams.
“A great strength of Americans is a desire for networking and partnership. As Ethiopians, we tend to stick to our own ethnic group and denominational circles. So having Americans on a team helps us to expand our ministry partnership in areas/ways we would not have on our own,” one team member wrote.
Another commented, “Americans are great with financial planning and fundraising. This is an increasing need as we want to move toward financial self-sufficiency.”
“One of the best strengths that Americans can bring is strategic planning, focus and evaluation. These are all things Ethiopians struggle with, and we tend to just go in a lot of different directions. So having people on a team who are good with identifying specific goals, plans and helping to work toward them is very helpful,” added another.
Their words also came with good news for those considering mission later in life: our international partners expressed great respect for mature and experienced workers.
Youth may come with energy and enthusiasm—but teams especially desire members who might bring the benefit of ministry or marketplace experience to help equip local leaders for greater effectiveness.
Please join with the global SIM community as, together, we ask God to raise and send the right workers from around the world to join the journey on the road to Jimma!
As Christians and churches here in the U.S., we can specifically pray for individuals and families in our own circle who may be open to the idea of serving Jesus overseas. Ask God to move in their hearts and minds with peace and clarity as they seek His will for their lives. Ask Him to raise more American workers to go!
There are many opportunities for humble, creative, optimistic, and diverse American believers on multicultural SIM teams around the world—including on the one headed for Jimma.
But, when it comes to qualifications, our international brothers and sisters remind us it’s the posture of the heart that matters most:
An Invitation
Please join with the global SIM community as, together, we ask God to raise and send the right workers from around the world to join the journey on the road to Jimma!
As Christians and churches here in the U.S., we can specifically pray for individuals and families in our own circle who may be open to the idea of serving Jesus overseas. Ask God to move in their hearts and minds with peace and clarity as they seek His will for their lives. Ask Him to raise more American workers to go!
There are many opportunities for humble, creative, optimistic, and diverse American believers on multicultural SIM teams around the world—including on the one headed for Jimma.
But, when it comes to qualifications, our international brothers and sisters remind us it’s the posture of the heart that matters most: