In the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is home to more than 130 million people, including 33 unreached people groups – presenting a vast mission field. Despite its recent economic growth, it remains one of the world’s poorest countries, marked by political instability.
But God has not forgotten this country or its people. As we pray for this nation, we draw hope from the believers who stand firm in the face of intense persecution. Among them is the powerful testimony of Pastor Abdi* and his son-in-law Birra.
Victory Amidst Persecution
In July 2022, a faithful pastor named Abdi was abducted by an armed group in his home village, located in the troubled region of Oromia. After a week in captivity, he was brutally murdered — not for any crime, but because of his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.
To the world, it may seem a senseless loss. But he lived and died for Christ. And in that, there is unspeakable victory – a victory that becomes tangible when we see how God has used Pastor Abdi’s life and death to display His grace and power. As Tertullian once wrote: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” This is what we are witnessing in Ethiopia today.
From Bloodshed to Breakthrough
The region is known for instability, violence and religious extremism. While the armed group that controlled the area claimed political motives when arresting Pastor Abdi, their true agenda was clear: No faith but Islam would be tolerated in the area.
Yet what the enemy meant for evil, God has used for eternal good.
Since Pastor Abdi’s death, the church has experienced explosive growth. His son-in-law, Birra, has fearlessly continued his father-in-law’s mission, walking the same narrow path paved with sacrifice and glory. Trained as one of Harvesters’ first Hub Leaders in Ethiopia, Birra has already planted three churches and shared the Gospel with more than 5,000 people. This is a powerful breakthrough in the region – resurrection power at work!
Encouraged, Motivated and Mobilised
And Birra is not alone. Across the region, a growing number of Harvesters’ Hub Leaders are rising up, bold with holy fire.
In May 2025, they graduated after three years of church planting and theological training with Harvesters. The graduation does not mark the end of the pastors’ journey, but rather a new beginning – they are more encouraged, more motivated and more mobilised to spread the Gospel than ever before. The fields are white with harvest, and they are ready. Let’s pray for their mission, and that their courage would ignite our own.
Pray for Ethiopia
In the face of threats and violence, Pastor Abdi could have run. But with quiet courage and a heart anchored in Christ, he simply said: “I want to obey Jesus. I will stay.” He chose the cross over comfort, the will of God over personal safety. Let’s honour this legacy by praying for Ethiopia:
- Pray that those who are persecuted in Ethiopia and elsewhere will also stand firm in their faith.
- Pray for the Hub Leaders who recently graduated. May they also have quiet courage and hearts anchored in Christ.
- Pray that Christians in Ethiopia, in your own community and across the world, will also choose the cross over comfort, the will of God over personal safety.
- Thank God for His faithfulness – confess that what the enemy means for evil, He will turn into eternal good.
Pastor Abdi may have died for his faith, but the story doesn’t end in death. It begins again in resurrection power.
*All names throughout changed for security reasons