Religion: Orthodox 50.6%, Muslim 32.8%, Protestant 10.2%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8%
Population: 77 million, mostly in rural areas
People Groups: 32% Amhara and Tigrean, 40% Oromo (primarily Muslim), 9% Sidamo, 6% Shankella, 6% Somali, 4% Afar, 2% Gurage, 1% other
Languages: Amharic is the official language. Arabic, Somali, Tigrinya, Oromo, Guaragigna, and English also commonly spoken
Government: Federal Republic under the 1994 Constitution. Ethiopia is presided by a Prime Minister and Bicameral Parliament
Capitol: Addis Ababa
Area: 471,776 square miles
Climate: Tropical monsoon with wide variation
Literacy Rate: 43%
As dangerous ethnic and religious tensions mount in an enviroment of daily hostility, Ethiopia is home to nearly 77 million people. Of these half the population are Orthodox, about a third are Muslim, and a remarkably large number are evangelical Christians. WorldServe Ministries is committed to enriching the spiritual growth of the Ethiopian people. Ethiopia is an underdeveloped country with an estimated annual per capita income of $1000 USD but 87% is earning $1 or less per day. Because the average life expectancy is just 46 years, it is essential now more than ever to reach these people for Christ. Our focus on education and church building in this mostly agriculturally rural society seeks to improve the substandard conditions and glorify God in permanent church structures. God's Word is transforming lives across the multi-ethnic culture.
Read below about the three major initiatives that WorldServe is carrying out in Ethiopia.
Church Planting
There are not enough churches for the believers in Ethiopia. As part of WorldServe Ministries' Accelerated Church Planting plan, Ethiopia 2,500 has a goal to plant 2,500 new churches over five years, equipping them with the tools necessary to reproduce themselves organically. Through this initiative, over 1,000 tin roofs will be provided for current churches not able to afford adequate covering.
• Challenges Facing the Ethiopian Church
• Determination to Share Conquers Disability
• Tin Roofs Make a Statement for Christ
Bible Distribution
The cry for scriptures is desperate in Ethiopia. Every Man a Sword is the mission to hear their cry and respond with needed Bibles, New Testaments and Tracts.
• Overcoming Hurdles
to Deliver God's Word
Training Pastors: Seeds of Support
Ethiopians today face a different kind of famine- a great hunger for God's Word. WorldServe is working in Ethiopia to nourish the people with both material resources and God's Word.
• Strengthening Leadership with Seeds of Support
