eNews December 2018

Researching Muslim-Christian conflict in Ethiopia Ethiopia is the second most populous African country, with over 102 million people, where Muslims (34%) and Christians (62%) have coexisted peacefully for over a millennium. In recent years, however, political corruption, economic injustice, and human rights abuses have led to social unrest, mass protests, and violent crackdowns. Many are hopeful that the new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed can ease some of the tensions in the country. Langham Scholar Anwar Berhe has been studying at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam, part of the Melbourne School of Theology. Prior to his studies, he served as the Muslim Outreach Director at a church in Ethiopia for ten years and taught multiple courses on missions to Muslims in various theological schools in Ethiopia. Anwar and his wife Tsigereda have a five-year-old daughter, Yididya. Anwar shares: My doctoral work focuses on investigating Muslim views of Christianity in Ethiopia and its contribution to community relationships in the contemporary period. This work will help the Church and Christian missionaries to understand the different Muslim perspectives on Christians and Christianity. It will also help them develop strategies for peaceful coexistence with Muslims, and to share their faith in non-coercive ways. My research will challenge Muslims to examine themselves and identify the Muslim theological ideas that lead to interreligious conflict. For the first time in the history of Ethiopia, this work will provide recommendations to policymakers for considering how theological ideas, along with ethnicity and Muslim identity politics, can be the causes of conflict. My work will also contribute to the literature and to the study of Christian-Muslim relations in Ethiopia. NOTE: Anwar has now submitted his thesis. He and his family will return to Ethiopia at the end of this month. Passion for Service During our time in Australia, my wife Tsigereda developed a passion for using her expertise in service of the Church. She spent eleven years teaching children in primary and middle schools in Ethiopia, and has received tremendous training and experience in caring for the elderly here in Australia. So, she will focus on mentoring and supporting vulnerable women and tutoring disadvantaged children. The Evangelical Theological College have offered me a faculty position to serve as the Head of the Christian- Muslim Relations and the Mission departments, in addition to my teaching responsibilities. This position will enable me to equip more kingdom workers for Ethiopian churches and beyond. My PhD work has significantly contributed to the development of my leadership and ministry goals in three significant ways. First, it improved my critical thinking, research, and writing skills. Second, my PhD studies have helped me to reflect on my past leadership and ministry experiences, and to make changes. I am now more equipped to engage with people around me to work as a team and to develop ministry strategies that suit the Ethiopian context.

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Lastly, as a Muslim background believer, I have a passion for promoting inclusive attitudes between Christian and Muslim communities in Ethiopia. My doctoral studies have deepened my passion for engaging with the Muslim community, for fostering interreligious dialogue, and for sharing my faith with Muslims. The development of my leadership and ministry skills will influence my future ministry endeavours. My future vocation will mainly involve teaching and training, writing literature, research, and personal engagement with Muslim communities. Thus, my doctoral work will strengthen the preaching and teaching of God’s Word in my cultural context.

Join us in prayer for … Upcoming Langham Preaching Events Where countries are considered sensitive re: security, the region is mentioned rather than the country. 16-22 December Sierra Leone, Ghana (2) 20-26 January Romania, Fiji 23- 29 December Liberia 27 Jan- 2 Feb Fiji, Myanmar, Philippines, Tanzania, West Africa, Guatemala, Romania, Spain 30 Dec- 5 Jan Eurasia 3-9 February Tanzania, Croatia, Romania, Spain 13-19 January Ethiopia, DR Congo, Spain 10-16 February Cote d’Ivoire, Cambodia, Spain SCHOLARS As outlined above, please pray for Ethiopian Scholar Anwar Berhe and his family as they return to Ethiopia at the end of this month. Pray especially that the Lord will supply for Anwar’s medical needs as he returns home. Pray for Egyptian Scholar George Bishai as he continues to study at Moore College, Sydney LITERATURE Pray for the shipping and distribution of this year’s library grant catalogue, to 1,000+ colleges, that there would be a good uptake of the slightly larger grant of £125, that all orders arrive safely without expensive customs charges or missing books and that colleges would also be able to find partners to fund additional book orders for course textbooks, extra library resources, and books needed for faculty and advanced study (which Langham Literature supplies at subsidised prices in partnership with certain publishers). PREACHING A Langham Preaching Facilitators Workshop will be held in Ethiopia in January, providing specific training for those that are responsible for leading Preaching Seminars in the country and training others. Please pray for a fruitful time of learning together. ______Langham Australia CEO Gillean Smiley writes… “Once a Langham Scholar, always a Langham Scholar” is a truth that sustains us through the mixed emotions of saying goodbye to a Scholar and their family. We are delighted that Anwar Berhe has completed his thesis, and will soon embark on his new role at home in Ethiopia. I find it hard to imagine a more important role than equipping North Africans for ministry to Muslim friends and neighbours in North Africa and the Middle East. Anwar’s own story of conversion is inspirational, and it is clear God has prepared him well for this vital responsibility. At the same time, the family will leave behind dear friends here in Australia, who have been blessed by their time with us and their contributions to College, to Church and to the community. However while Anwar has completed his time at Melbourne School of Theology, we look forward to ongoing connection through the Fellowship of Langham Graduates, and to his contributions through the different Langham programs offering opportunities for further writing, participation in Theological Conferences etc. Of course we hope to see him back for his graduation next year, and pray for God’s provision of appropriate medication in Ethiopia to sustain the improvement in his health! The Church in Australia has been blessed and enriched by the presence of each of the Scholars we have been privileged to host, and we look forward to welcoming Tha Lian Ci from Myanmar to Melbourne soon, as George, from the Middle East, also nears the end of his time in Sydney. We praise God for the richness and depth of our global family! May God bless you as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Thank you for your support in 2018!

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