January 23, 2009

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) joined leaders of several churches and church organizations from Africa, Europe and North America here Jan. 17-18 for the "Golden Jubilee" celebration of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY).

In 2008 the growing 5-million member EECMY became the second largest church in the Lutheran World Federation, surpassing the 4.7-million member ELCA.

Fifty years ago the EECMY was constitutionally recognized as a national church, but the church's history began in 1898. It has survived numerous challenges over the years, including a long period of communist rule in Ethiopia.

The Rev. Itefa Gobena, EECMY president, said the church provides "holistic service" by helping people spiritually and working to meet their everyday needs. The EECMY provides services in education, assistance to people who are blind and physically challenged, literacy programs and medical services. In addition to worship and Christian education, the church has translated the Bible in more than 20 Ethiopian languages, he said. Gobena thanked EECMY members, pastors and the current government of Ethiopia for providing "conducive conditions" for the church's holistic work.

Ato Degefe Bula, speaker, House of Federation, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, said the EECMY has contributed to peacemaking in Ethiopia. Noting that the country's constitution provides for freedom of religion, the speaker said "unity is strengthened in our diversity." Bula said he is a product of the EECMY.

The Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission, Chicago, represented the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop and LWF president, who was attending inauguration activities for U.S. President Barack H. Obama in Washington, D.C.

Malpica Padilla said considerable time has passed since Onesimos Nesib came to the country as a missionary in the late 1800s. Nesib, an Ethiopian captured by slave traders, was bought and freed by Swedes, educated and became a Christian.

Churches from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Germany and North America, reflecting Lutheran, Presbyterian and Reformed Church traditions, helped the Mekane Yesus Church in its early years, Malpica Padilla said. "This church has traversed the contours of this beautiful country, sharing the good news of the gospel, bringing people to Christ, serving those in need, faithfully and steadfastly proclaiming the gospel of salvation and hope," he said.

"The sons and daughters of this church who have come to America have been a blessing to our congregations, where they have shared their love for God and their passion for the evangelizing task that has been set before us," Malpica Padilla said.

The Rev. James A. Arends, bishop, ELCA La Crosse (Wis.) Area Synod, and his wife Lynn attended the celebration. "We pray you will bless us for another 51 years and more," he said in a prayer at a Jan. 17 celebration. Five of the 65 ELCA synods maintain companion synod relationships with the EECMY, including the La Crosse Area Synod.

The Rev. Gemechis Buba, a native of Ethiopia and director for African National Ministry, ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission, Chicago, said in a sermon that the gospel gives freedom. He said, "The gospel frees the mind, the spirit and the whole human being. You will declare this message of freedom to the nations. Let freedom ring everywhere."

A Jan. 18 worship celebration featured greetings by several EECMY partner churches and church organizations. The church also recognized several member couples who have been married 50 years.

Photos from the Golden Jubilee celebration of the EECMY are at http://tinyurl.com/bxmhlh/, on the Web.

Information about the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is at http://www.eecmy.org/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service