Below you can read a couple of reports from the last couple of trips.
He is a modern-day Paul and he represents a breathtaking revival amongst Muslims in Ethiopia.
I am sitting in late November with my team (Robin Sanderson from Watford Community Church and Peter Skinner from New Life Derby) in a sun-kissed café drinking thick mango juice, trying to digest one of the most remarkable testimonies I have ever heard.
Two years ago Sheikh Mohammed* was a militant Muslim. He was the country-leader for Ethiopia in one of the most active Islamic terrorist networks.* Fuelled by Arabian oil dollars, his work took him all over the world as a young and influential Jihadist leader. On two separate occasions he attended conferences in Kashmir where he met, and was instructed by, Osama bin Laden.
Now, because of the grace and power of the Good News of a loving Saviour he leads Muslims to Christ almost every day.
“I used to beat many people,” he tells us, “now I am the one being beaten.” I ask him about what changed his life and he tells us about a faithful Muslim-background believer who described to him a God of love. Mohammed began to read the Bible in secret, and realised that, though the Koran said many insightful things about Isa (Jesus), only the Christian Bible made them clear.
“Then, in a dream, a man in white robes appeared to me,” he recalls. “I realised it was Jesus. He said, ‘I need you.’” Mohammed surrendered his life to Christ and his world turned upside down.
A militant of hatred became a missionary of grace.
The cost has been high. Mohammed has survived numerous assignation attempts by his former colleagues. Thank God the sniper’s bullets and vicious beatings have not taken his life.
In the summer of 2007, Mohammed was co-leading a small training conference for ex-Muslim converts during which 15 people came to Christ. He was beaten, dragged into prison and later poisoned with the full knowledge of prison guards. They left him in a gutter to die. Remarkably, a Christian brother found him outside the prison unconscious, prayed for him and called for medical help. It is a miracle he survived.
As we talk about the ministry he is now part of, supported by AoG World Ministries, it is like a sequel to the book of Acts. The cripples are publically healed, prominent Sheikhs are leading thousands to Christ and would-be assailants are knocked over and killed by falling trees!
Mohammed graciously commends us for supporting him. “Thank you for your prayers, your financial support, everything… we are partners.” Subsidising Mohammed’s ministry costs just £50 each month; others with similar stories in less expensive regions can be supported with just £40 each month. That’s what I call ‘curry money’!
As we finish our time together, my colleague Robin asked Mohammed about the last few days’ ministry: “So, how is it going?”
“I led five people to Christ this morning.” He testifies. “We met at the bus stop, and they were amazed when I told them in Arabic about the love of Jesus. They invited me home to question me: How could a Sheikh renounce Islam? I told them about God’s grace and the Holy Spirit changed their hearts.”
A one-off incident? No, an almost daily occurrence. God is moving here!
What more must be done? To avoid syncretism, these Muslim-background believers need to be discipled, trained and equipped for ministry.
Teklu Wolde, leader of Ten Forty Ministries has been given some land to build a training centre in an ideal location. We visited the site and found a half-completed structure. £20k has been spent already, donated by Ethiopian Christians. They need another £30k to finish it. When it is completed, former Sheikhs will visit the centre in safety, retreat with God and be empowered to help lead the revival. A revival Teklu describes as a ‘tsunami’ of new disciples.
Teklu shows us a mountain that has been systematically decimated over recent years as quarry workers harvest stone at its foot. “God spoke to me from Zechariah 4:7 about a mountain being flattened. Islam is being eroded in this land and we have many quarry workers ready to play their part.”
You and I can play our part, too.
*I have changed/omitted one or two minor details for security reasons
Having visited Ethiopia over the last 4 years, I have observed that it is a changing country under immense pressures. The political situation is in turmoil – the democratic elections a year ago were a failure – the ruling party held on to power amidst public outcry, protests and violence. The religious climate is also unsettled. There is mounting pressure against the Christian church by Muslim extremists and Islamic leaders. Ethiopia is surrounded by Muslim nations and Islam is on the increase within its borders. Persecution of Christians is on the increase and the need for bold evangelism has never been greater.
In this climate is a great man of God, Teklu Wolde. He is the leader of the Guenet congregation and a evangelistic ministry called 10/40. My colleague Nathan Schofield and I we will be spending this next 9 days with him. Please pray for our trip, that we will be a great encouragement to him and all the leaders and evangelists we spend time with.
I do not have more time to outline prayer needs, but I trust that the Holy Spirit will lead you as you intercede for us.
May the Lord have his way with us all. May you be inspired and empowered for YOUR full-time ministry as well, and may the kingdom of heaven be extended day by day.
Here is the itinerary, as Teklu has arranged:
Thursday (30 Nov) : Arrive early morning. In Addis Ababa with Teklu Wolde.
Friday (1 Dec) : Prayer time in with Teklu and his wife Salam. Meet and pray with Muslim converts. Lunch, Tim to share the Word.
Saturday (2 Dec) : At 07:00 travel to Lake (more than 200km from the capital to South East), baptismal ceremony of 50-70 people. Langano
Sunday (3 Dec) : Weekly Worshiping program in Arsi, Tim preaching. There are about 350 attendants. Negele Guenet Church
Monday and Tuesday (4-5 Dec) : Travel to Shashemene on Monday morning; Tim will be helping train Ethiopian missionary evangelists who are called to the Muslim world.
Wednesday (Dec 6) : Travel back to Addis Ababa
Thursday (Dec 7) : Visit the Head office and executive board of Ethiopian Guenet Church, and lunch with the Meserete leaders. Kristos Church
Friday (Dec 8) : Morning back to UK.
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