Creeds, confessions, and catechisms are critically important in the evangelical Christian circles in Ethiopia. According to Ethiopian history, evangelical Christianity was introduced about a century ago to the land. It is held that it was first introduced by and as a result of the Pentecostal and charismatic movement. Starting from that time, the growth in the number of believers and distribution in all directions of the country has been robust. It is just the quantity, however, that has been enormously increased. There is no doctrinal clarity and firmness. Most confessing believers think that what matters is being inflamed with the Spirit and that studying doctrinal matters and church history has nothing to do with their spiritual life. The so-called prophets, apostles, miracle doers, healers, etc., all fake and false, have been infiltrating here and there and have been continuously deceiving millions of people. Appointing female pastors and elders are common activities in Ethiopian evangelical circles.
There is no order in church, no calmness; everything is disordered and everyone acts as they please and interprets the Bible as they like as if they are the first ones to read the Bible. Especially for the last five years, we have been witnessing these tragic and frustrating activities. It can be said that there has been no strong and well-established Reformed church in Ethiopia. Most of us used to attend Pentecostal churches, but we could not bear the situation there and gradually we inclined to isolate ourselves and hide ourselves in the writings and teachings of Reformed theologians and teachers from the Western world.
Having said that, we really believe that creeds and confessions are profoundly important for the church. In the Ethiopian context, we need them for doctrinal clarity. They help the church to maintain strong unity. Creeds and confessions are of critical importance to defend against heresy and false teachings. They are needed for spiritual maturity. We also need them for the historical continuity of Protestant orthodoxy and the transmission of the teaching of the Reformers and the historical church.
If God wills, we are committed to planting a pure Presbyterian church in Ethiopia. We have started gathering on Sundays to pray for the planting of the church. We are also translating the Three Forms of Unity (The Heidelberg Catechism is now available in Amharic), which we need in order to be able to deeply study them ourselves and to use for instructing new converts. We are planning to establish the church in Addis Ababa. We do not rush, but we also do not want to be slow in this endeavor. Our plan is to trust God’s providence and tell the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to anyone. There are tens of people we are instructing in Reformed Christian theology right now.
In the process of church planting, we face various challenges. Many Protestant believers in Ethiopia see Reformed theology as heresy, so they hate and prosecute us. There are also economical constraints to affording rent for a worship house and providing for God’s servants. Formal theological study and intensive training are also needed for church planters. Prayers are needed. Please pray for us as we navigate these challenges and seek the Lord’s blessing in spreading his gospel in Ethiopia.
©Jim Faucett. All Rights Reserved.
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Jim Faucett
Jim Faucett is the US director of Shadow Servants, a ministry that seeks to assist African pastors in their understanding and discipleship in the Reformed faith and in the planting and growing of Reformed churches. He was converted in 1972 after serving in the US Navy. His theological and ecclesiastical journey took a few decades but he in 2018, he was ordained a teaching elder in Emmaus Church, Nashibenyo, Kenya.
More by Jim Faucett ›
The real revival in Africa will be witnessed when there’ll be a wholehearted reception of the Reformed confessions and their covenant theology. It may be more quiet and start small compared to those of the Charismatics but it’ll be genuine. I pray for this to happen in Ethiopia.
Yesterday the White Horse Inn released an episode discussing the prevalence of what’s called the “New Apostolic Reformation” in East Africa. It’s well worth the listen if anyone reading this wants to get a better idea of the challenges Mr. Faucett and our reformed brothers and sisters face in Ethiopia. We will pray for the success of the church plant.