MWR : Ethiopia workers reach out with prayer

Last updated November 24.

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Jan. 4, 2010 issue

Ethiopia workers reach out with prayer

By Jewel Showalter Eastern Mennonite Missions

For two years, mission workers Jim and Anna Ralph have held 20 Agape Prayer Ministry Schools throughout Ethiopia, taught in numerous mission and pastoral trainings and led a trauma healing seminar in Kenya.

Eastern Mennonite Missions worker Anna Ralph teaches in the Agape Prayer Ministry School for pastors and elders in Bahir Dar. — Photo provided by EMM

The Ralphs, who are completing a term of service with Eastern Mennonite Missions this month, say Agape Prayer Ministry is an inner healing ministry that focuses on: 1) dealing with sin and forgiveness issues, 2) breaking bondages, 3) ministering deliverance and 4) healing spiritual and emotional wounds.

When the teaching sessions are completed, participants minister to each other, confidentially, in groups of three.

The Agape Prayer Ministry School the Ralphs held in Bahir Dar, in the heart of the Amhara region, was part of a larger movement to bring regional peace and reconciliation.

At the seminar for 35 participants, mostly pastors and elders, Anna Ralph shared her story about how God helped her and her family forgive a drunk driver who killed their mother three years ago. The story made an impact in a region where vendetta killings and vengeful attitudes have been part of the culture.

Her witness about not wanting revenge against the drunk driver deeply moved the group. An older man testified that he came under conviction about his vengeful attitude and that he wanted God to change that.

The Ralphs were humbled that God had allowed them to be a part of changing the culture of vengeance. The Meserete Kristos Church regional general secretary, Endale Gebeyehu, plans to make sure the Agape Prayer Ministry is introduced into all the local churches as they pray for societal transformation — beginning in the church.

Comments

I a pastor here in RDC I would like to be a blessing i your program if possible. Go bless you Pastor Kingsley

- Pastor Triumph (jan 27 at 11:15 a.m.)

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