Mission History in Ethiopia

1959: The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) becomes a legally registered Lutheran church in Ethiopia.

2007: Rev. Dr. Kebede Getachew Yigezu attends Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri (LC-MS), where he receives advanced theological training and begins to fully understand confessional Lutheran theology.

2013: Kebede and 56 members leave the EECMY for doctrinal reasons and register the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia (LCE) with the Ethiopian government. The LCE opens Maor Lutheran Theological Seminary which is authorized to grant bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.

2014-2017: Representatives from WELS World Missions, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and African representatives from the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference visit with Rev. Kebede and the leaders of the LCE.

2017: WELS declares fellowship with the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia at Synod Convention.

2019: With help from WELS funding, the LCE dedicates a new multi-purpose building to house Maor Lutheran Seminary in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.

2021: The LCE opens Maor Lutheran School (primary and secondary) in Dukem with about 850 students.

2023: The LCE opens Maor Lutheran School in Gambella (primary and secondary). The Lutheran Church of Ethiopia numbers 438 members in one congregation and four preaching centers.

SUPPORT ETHIOPIA

Consider supporting mission work in Ethiopia with your prayers and gifts.

PICTURES OF AFRICA

Browse through and share pictures of Africa, taken by WELS missionaries and national workers.