Dear Pastors,
It is always great to see how God is working on all levels through BR-KC. I am writing you today about opportunities for your church to partner with the work BR-KC is doing in the Horn of Africa. As you know, five years ago Dr. Hammer had a vision to engage the unreached people group in Eritrea. In researching the opportunity to directly touch these people, refugee camps were discovered in Ethiopia. He led others to travel to these camps and the doors began to open for ministry to Eritreans in these camps. Through the many mission trips that Dr. Hammer has led us in, we met Pastor Temesgen from Shire, Ethiopia. Since then, a beautiful partnership has developed with many opportunities to reach lost people for Christ. Many have been part of these trips and our thanks go out to them for being eyes and ears listening to and watching for Holy Spirit as He works. I want to remind you of two areas that are a critical part of this partnership in Ethiopia.
First is with the refugee camps. We are currently working with Pastor Temesgen and his church’s ministry to get into the camps. So far we have been able to see two libraries built in the camps filled with books that churches of BR-KC gathered. A freezer was purchased for one of the camps. Many ministry opportunities with the children have taken place. Recently shoes were gathered by people from United Believers Church and sent over with Ed Newsome who went to distribute them. Soccer balls have been taken over. Clothes and candy, lots of candy have been distributed. All of these things have been done out of need, but also as an inroad to share Christ. Other things are in our conversations to do as well.
The second critical area is partnering with the church in Shire led by Pastor Temesgen. They began a Bible Institute two years ago to educate and train church planters. They have planted six churches and are looking for other places to plant. These plants are being pastored by students in the Bible Institute and they are winning people to Christ. Last year the team from here got to see some of those converts be baptized. Pastor Temesgen is also building relationships with community leaders to be involved in sports activities also with Compassion International to reach children’s needs. Also there have been efforts to help provide for basic women’s hygiene needs. The vision is endless all in an effort again to share Christ.
Now here is what I would like for you Pastors to pray about. That is to lead your church to give a one- time gift of $1,000 and put in your church budget $150 to $300 a month to support all this work in the Horn of Africa. For $150 a month, you can sustain a church planter. For another $150 a month you could provide for the cost of a meeting place for the church plants. I know it sounds unreal compared to our cost but it is true. Your church can send money to the BR-KC office labeled “Horn of Africa” and it will be processed and used to facilitate Gospel Outreach in the Horn of Africa.
Serving Christ Together,
Randy Messer
Pastor of First Baptist Oak Grove
You can learn more about the work BR-KC has been doing in Horn of Africa, view pictures, and find out how you can get involved here.
