Church and State in Ethiopia

May 2012Anne Marie Stoner-Eby, Ph.D.

Scott Stoner-Eby, Ph.D.IDSC 260: Cross-Cultural Studies

What are you looking for?

This cross-cultural is designed for those students looking for a powerful experience that will nurture significant relationships and profound learning.

This cross-cultural offers the opportunity to develop close relationships with Ethiopian evangelical college students and connect in a personal way with our global church.

For the three weeks of the course, Messiah students will room with Ethiopian evangelical students and experience the entire course with them -- including lectures, visits to historic sites, and in-country travel.

Itinerary

The course will begin andend at Meserete Kristos College in Debre Zeyit, which is ½ hour from the capital of Addis Ababa. Students will also spend aweek in Addis Ababa and aweek travelling to the Historic North to visit Aksum, Lalibela (near Dese), and Gonder.

Meserete Kristos Church

With over 200,000 members, the Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) is one of the largest Mennonite churches in the global Mennonite fellowship (only the U.S. and the Congo have more members). Mennonite missionaries arrived from Pennsylvania in 1948 and quickly established medical and educational programs. A church also began to develop which was soon led by Ethiopians.

When the church was forced underground in the years after the Communist revolution in 1974, it had 5,000 members. After the Communist regime fell in 1991, the church had 34,000 members with 50,000 just three years later! This vibrant evangelical church has continued to grow with a current growth rate of 37%.

Meserete Kristos College

Mesrete Kristos College was founded in 1994 by the evangelical Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) to meet the needs of its rapidly growing churches and their ministries. It began in the capital city of Addis Ababa, moving to a new campus in the

nearby town of Debra Zeyit in 2007.

The campus is located between a

seasonal lake and a volcanic crater lake

with majestic Mt. Yerer in the distance.

Around Campus at MK College

.

Sights of Addis Ababa

Ancient History of Christianity in Ethiopia

King Azana of Aksum converted to Christianity in 330 AD – long before most of the kings of northern Europe!

This stone-carved text describes his conversion, which like the Roman Emperor Constantine who converted aroundthe same time, involved victory in battle.

Azana’s coins reflect his conversion:pre-Christian symbols before, crossesafter.

Pre-Christian Obelisks of the Aksumite Kingdom

Christian Aksum

Lalibela: Built to be a New Jerusalem 13 monolithic rock-hewn churches dating from 12th

century

Castles & Churches of Gonderfounded 17th century

Day Trips from Debre Zeyit

Sodere: Its large pool contains warm water fed by a natural hot springs -- it’s also a favorite hang-out for monkeys!

Mount Zuquala: At its top are a monastery and a crater lake.

Ethiopian Cuisine

As one of the world’s most distinctive cuisines, Ethiopian restaurants are now found in most major cities, even Lancaster, PA!

Like Indian food, it uses a combination of spices -- both mild and spicy – to produce flavorful stews called wat.

It is eaten with a distinctive, spongy, flat bread called injera, made from an extremely fine grain called teft, historically grown only in Ethiopia.

All dishes are shared in a common round tray, traditionally eaten in a round basket table called a messab.

Personal Experiences

I was born in Ethiopia at the Mennonite Mission Hospital, and although my parents left when I was one-and-a-half, they later returned to Ethiopia, living in Addis Ababa for almost five years when I was 9-14 years old. Because of my family connections to Mennonites in Ethiopia, the President of MK College, Negash Kebede is an old family friend. I have many fond memories of my childhood years in Ethiopia; although I was also aware that it was a time of great hardship for many Ethiopian people since they were living under the brutal regime of the Communist dictator, Col. Mengistu.

Professionally, my academic specialty is missions and Christianity in Africa, and I am beginning a new project on the history of Mennonite missions in Ethiopia and Tanzania. So, both personally and professionally, I am excited about helping students connect, in Ethiopia, with the global Christian church!

Ancient Christian history still living in the Orthodox Church.

Christian kingdom that survived for 1600 years producing world famous architecture and art.

Vibrant Evangelical church history with churches growing underground during the Communist dictatorship.

Only one of two countries to remain independent during the European colonial period in Africa, now the headquarters of the African Union.

Addis Ababa, built amongst hills covered with eucalyptus trees, is currently experiencing a building-boom.

World-renowned, flavorful cuisine.Diverse and unique geography of highlands and lowlands,

with extinct volcanoes and hot springs.

Concluding Thoughts: Ethiopia is an Amazing Country!

Any Questions?

The current cost estimate for this cross-cultural is $3950.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions!

Anne Marie Stoner-EbyDepartment of Historyamstonereby@messiah.eduBoyer 262, x2046