He is known simply as “Church Planter 106.” His identity kept secret for his own protection and that of his family. He is an almost legendary figure among our Eastern Ethiopian church planters. Unfortunately, I was only able to hear his story second-hand but it is too amazing not to share.
Church Planter 106 is a former Muslim man who came to Christ after passing by a church and hearing them praying publicly and fervently for the conversion of the Muslim people. After conversion, He answered God’s call to be an evangelist to the Muslim people. His first convert came as he was running away from a Muslim who was seeking to beat him and possibly kill him for talking about Jesus. As he was fleeing from this man, the guy fell and broke his ankle. Rather than take his chance and escape, CP106 heard his cries for help. He turned around, went to the man, picked him up and carried him to the nearest hospital. He also paid his bill. Sound familiar at all? It’s the Parable of the Good Samaritan come to life! The crazy thing is that CP106 had probably not heard that story since he didn't have a Bible in his own language until very recently. Since that time, he has started three underground churches for former Muslims. His typical “evangelism strategy” is to go undercover into local mosques and pray silently to Jesus in worship. Usually one or two people will be drawn to him and he then invites them to come to his home. If they accept, he takes that as a sign that God has delivered them to him and he shares Jesus with them over a meal.
Such incredibly challenging and life-threatening work! And yet this man’s story is one among many in this area of Ethiopia which is so heavily dominated by Islam. One of the biggest things that strikes me is how critical it is to equip, empower, and resource local indigenous leaders for this work. A white western missionary would have little to no chance of penetrating this area with the gospel or it would take them decades to do so. The cultural distance is just too great. Thanks be to God that He is raising up hundreds of local, indigenous leaders to do this work! They are beginning to flood this area and plant churches in unreached villages all over. They are starting churches in places like Harar which is the 4th holiest city in Islam. They are starting churches in small villages with names like “Abudi” which means “We will die here” as a warning to any Christians who settle in the area.
Humility means relinquishing our western need for control. Humility demands we trust the work of the Holy Spirit as He moves in and among our indigenous leaders. Humility requires we let go of power and instead come to serve them as best we can. All for the glory of God and the sake of the gospel!