The entrance of SIM missionaries into Ethiopia in the 1920s is a story of miracles and heroism. When war erupted in Southern Ethiopia in 1937, the missionaries had to leave 75 newly baptized believers. But when the Italian army was driven out in 1941, the missionaries returned and found thousands of new believers. They recognized the great need for discipleship and training, but ninety percent of the converts were illiterate. The church formed by these converts is known as the Kale Heywet Church (KHC), which today has more than 4,000 congregations and 2,000,000 baptized believers. They have their own missionary outreach, medical work, ministry to human needs and development projects, Bible schools, theological college, women's and children's work, urban ministries program, and a literature publication centre.

SIM missionary numbers were severely reduced during the 1974-1991 Marxist rule in Ethiopia. During that regime, Christians suffered persecution and martyrdom, but the church was strengthened and refined. The present government has now granted official certification for SIM, but procurement of visas continues to be a challenge. The mission and the KHC have formed a Joint Strategy Committee and continue to work on their partnership agreement. They recognize that the proliferation of converts has reduced the level of discipleship, which is now a pressing need. Legalism and false doctrines are leading some church members astray.

SIM ministries are numerous, but generally fit within the following categories: church planting and evangelism among unreached groups, health and community ministries to human needs, outreach, media, Bible translation and literacy, and leadership training. Training programs include formal and non-formal theological education, training to evangelise Muslims, training women for ministry, training specifically to work among the Ethiopian Orthodox, and training evangelists reaching out to nomadic pastoralists and other groups.

Please pray for:

1. Growth in understanding and interdependent cooperation between the KHC and SIM.
2. All the various educational ministries to effectively produce Christ-like living and Spirit-empowered Christian service.
   
3. KHC evangelists that they may understand cross-cultural issues and effectively contextualize their message and ministry.
   
4. Continued growth of the church's vision for missions within Ethiopia and beyond.
   
5. New workers who will effectively evangelize unreached areas of Ethiopia, especially the north.