“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21) Â
 “I had never planned to go to Africa,” said Al Ewert. Nevertheless, he responded to a Macedonian Call when ministry partners in Ethiopia implored him to come. Upon his return, Ewert and other World Impact team members recounted the privilege of equipping second-generation church-planting leaders in Ethiopia.Â
During this recent mission trip, the World Impact team certified 15 new deans through the Evangel Leadership Training Program. These newly minted deans will train other church planters and initiate church–planting movements. Remarkably, these graduates emerged from the mobilization efforts of the previous generation of Ethiopian leaders. This multiplication of qualified leaders generates momentum within the country’s church–planting networks.Â
Ethiopia's First Evangel Church Planting Network
Because they speak a different language, the spread of the gospel in Ethiopia looks different from that in its neighboring countries. Ethiopian leaders have bridged the language gap by translating World Impact training materials into their heart language. They’ve also established Ethiopia’s first Evangel church planting network, the Tyrannus School. All partners connected through the network now work together to host World Impact church planting schools throughout Ethiopia. Â
 The combination of a network and training resources has allowed them to work with other believers who desperately need training materials in their heart language. During the trip, Ewert’s team was introduced to a local ministry director overseeing over 3,500 churches. “He said there’s no material for seminary-level training in their language,” Ewert said. His team was able to offer their resources to this director. “He said, do you have it in our language? Are you kidding me? This is what I’ve been looking for!” Ewert shared.Â
The Need for Solid Biblical Training is Urgent
With only two seminaries in the entire country, it isn’t possible to train the number of pastors needed to expand the growing church. Without biblically accurate teaching materials and a network to distribute them, new leaders are in danger of following the prosperity gospel that runs rampant in this region. “We need you,” Ewert recalled the leader saying to the team. “We need this training so we can build the kingdom of God. He invited us back because we’re one of the few organizations that has seminary-level training in their language.”Â
 Marty Sanders offered perspective on Ethiopia’s church planting network. “The pastor who opened the door for Ethiopia actually is an Ethiopian who presently lives in America, who came here and attended one of our church planting schools,” he said. “This energized not only a vision for reaching fellow Ethiopians here in the US but to go back to his homeland.” He was the catalyst for the Ethiopian church planting movement. Â
Help Us Expand Ethiopia's Church Planting Network
That’s what World Impact is all about. None of this is possible without your prayers and support. Our supporters across the globe are vital links in Ethiopia’s church-planting network. Together, we contribute to the advancement of the Gospel. God’s purpose prevails in our plans. Â
“Every time we go, there’s always those unexpected opportunities,” said David Estrada, World Impact’s Senior Ministry Developer. “Together, we’re raising up the next generation of leaders who will take the Gospel farther than we would ever be able to take it.”Â
Want to know what else is happening in Africa through World Impact because of your support?Â
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