A letter from Stephen Stelle preparing for service in Ethiopia
FALL 2013
Akkam Obboleessa and Obboleettii
or Hello, Brothers and Sisters, in the Oromo language
Brenda and I are excited to announce our appointments as Presbyterian World Mission co-workers to Ethiopia. We ask that you pray for us as we prepare for our new work.
As I sort through all the items we’ve collected in our home, my eyes fall on an unfinished table … the table we received before our marriage … the table I was always going to refinish … the table that 31 years later is still only three-fourths completed. The table reminds me how our own ministry is only three-fourths completed. I always thought I would finish that table for Brenda, just like I always thought I would finish my ministry in the local church. However, God has called Brenda and me to complete our ministry in a totally different way. And I am reminded of the apostle Paul telling us in Phil. 1:6: “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” The table is not finished, and neither is our ministry.
Our global partner, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), has invited us to serve in their country to help address the issues of poverty alleviation and evangelism. Brenda will teach English at the Bethel Evangelical Secondary School (BESS). Having a good education is a key to rising above the poverty level in Ethiopia. Students who complete their degree at BESS receive a quality education that enables them to attend college, ensuring them of being able to attain an excellent job. The EECMY is growing rapidly as their members share the gospel with non-Christians. Consequently, there is great need for pastors to serve the new and growing congregations. I will support and train pastors at the Gidada School of the Bethel Theological Seminary, preparing them to serve the churches and instruct new converts.
As we continue to prepare for our new call, we encourage you to prayerfully consider becoming our partners in carrying out God’s mission for the people of Dembi Dolo. We invite you to participate in this journey through your prayers, your correspondence, and your financial support. Throughout the months of October, November, and December we will be available to visit churches to share the story of our call and introduce you to the work of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. We would love to add you to our schedule of visits. Please contact us anytime by email at brendastelle813@yahoo.com or by phone at 724-301-9053. Some of the venues for interpreting our call are morning worship with a moment for mission or sermon presentation, meeting with the mission committee, or even a luncheon or supper with interested members of your congregation.
Thank you for your support of God’s work in His world, especially with the people in Ethiopia. We invite you to consider joining us in our upcoming ministry. We ask you to pray for our work and the people we will minister to in Ethiopia. We seek your correspondence with us as we value and appreciate your words of encouragement. And we thank you for your financial gifts so that together we can accomplish the Lord’s work in Ethiopia. We look forward to the opportunity to introduce ourselves and share more as our journey unfolds.
In Christ’s service:
Steve and Brenda Stelle
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 133
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