Dear Friends,
This week, please intercede with us for Motuma B. Amante from Ethiopia.
Home to over 116 million people from over 80 ethnic groups, Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country after Nigeria. Around 67% of Ethiopians are Christians and 31% are Muslims. Nine months after the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan rebel leaders agreed to a ceasefire in the country’s northernmost region of Tigray, fighting erupted in the neighboring Amhara region between the government and an Amhara militia called Fano. Last week, a deadly airstrike in Amhara killed 26 people and wounded another 50, raising fears of further warfare in northern Ethiopia. Please pray for God’s peace to take root in Ethiopia.
Motuma is pursuing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Stellenbosch University (Cape Town, South Africa). His research compares the role of genealogies in the Jewish Antiquities and in Matthew’s Gospel. Prior to his studies, Motuma served as Associate Dean and Head of Distance Education at Mekane Yesus Seminary (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), where he also taught Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology. Upon graduation, Motuma will return as faculty to Mekane Yesus Seminary, the flagship institution of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, an Evangelical Lutheran denomination with over 10 million members worldwide.
In addition to supporting Motuma’s doctoral research through Leader Studies, Scholar Leaders also collaborates with Mekane Yesus Seminary through the Vital Sustainability Initiative. Motuma and his wife Lisanework Fekadu Lemessa have two daughters and two sons: Ketin (20), Sibrat (14), Yohannan (10), and Robenuf (5).
Motuma shares the following message:
Dear Friends at Scholar Leaders,
I am from Ethiopia. My denomination is Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. I was Head of Distance Education and then Associate Dean at Mekane Yesus Seminary in the Theology Faculty, as well as an instructor in Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology.
Before coming to Mekane Yesus Seminary, I was a director and teacher at Bako Parish Bible School and served in various ways in the parish. Then, I became an instructor and dean at Nekemte Christian Education College.
I am doing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa, and I am in my last year.
Prayer Requests
I would be happy to have you stand with me in your prayers.
1. I am in the last year of my studies and hope to complete my degree this year, though the graduation may be next year in late March or early April. Please pray for me for a successful defense.
2. Please pray for my family and me for God’s protection and guidance during this difficult time.
3. Please pray for Ethiopia for peace and for the problem of high inflation throughout the country.
4. Please pray for Stellenbosch University and South Africa in general.
In His service,
Motuma B. Amante