Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.
Psalms 145:3
ETC has students and faculty members with diverse testimonies. Listening to the mystery of salvation and the joy of embracing it through their testimonies makes us marvel. Moreover, witnessing the way the Lord has called each one to do the good work He has predestined for them makes us marvel even more at His amazing work. ETC in this process has the privilege of equipping the students for the good work ordained for them.
Our esteemed friends and partners you have a huge part in this incredible work given to ETC. Your unceasing prayers and support have made this significant work in the kingdom of God successful. Hence, we want to pause and give the Glory to God and thank you for your faithfulness in partnering with us.
Anwar Mehammed Berhe
One of the amazing testimonies is the story of Anwar Mehammed Berhe former ETC graduate who just finished his PhD in Islamic studies at Melbourne School of theology in Australia. He is appointed to be the Academic Dean for the Undergraduate program at ETC. He is also instrumental in spearheading the MA program in Christian – Muslim Relations that ETC is going to launch in August 2020. Here is Anwar’s testimony, the amazing salvation story and his ministry .
Salvation
Anwar who was born to a Muslim family was a very zealous follower of Islam. He strove to fulfill all that the Quran requires of him. He was in the 10th grade when he first encountered Christians who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their classmates. This infuriated Anwar. He was also very angry when he heard that a church was built 400 meters away from a Mosque in Borteno village where he lives. Anwar prayed (made Dua) against the church and was sure that soon the church will become a Mosque.
In the same year, Anwar saw a dream. He saw a man blowing a trumpet announcing that the end is near and those who do not believe in Jesus will die an eternal death.
Anwar woke up from his sleep troubled and decided to search for the meaning of his dream. He decided to ask the Christians in his school because he heard the man in his dream say “believe in Jesus.” What was troubling Anwar the most was the fact that Jesus is the Son of God and the mystery of the Trinity. His question was “how can God have a son?” He asked different Christians these questions for the next three years.
Finally, Anwar was assigned to do a job outside his village. Two other men were assigned with him. One of them was a believer and his life demonstrated the love of Christ to Anwar. He trusted his friend and started asking questions about Jesus and the Trinity. His friend gently explained the truth and was able to answer his questions. Finally, Anwar gave his life to the Lord.
Persecution & Celebration
When Anwar went back to his town his family found out that he had become a Christian. They urged him to become a Muslim again or he will face severe punishment. They also told him that he will not be part of the family and will not be provided with anything. His family were certain that Anwar will come back to Islam when everything he needed is taken away from him. However, Anwar was adamant about following Christ and he went through a very harsh rejection and suffering from his family. He finally got a job and was able to support himself.
One day a neighbor’s son was very ill and the hospitals and the witch doctors failed to make him better. As a final resort the father of the boy consulted Anwar and asked if he can be prayed for in church. Anwar took the boy to church. The boy was immediately healed from his illness and became a believer in Jesus Christ. The people who saw this miracle including Anwar’s mother, sister and brother came to accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior. What a celebration in heaven!
Ministry
Anwar had the privilege to visit and serve in the Borteno Kale Heywet Church that was established in 1992. The church was located 400 meters away from a Mosque in Borteno village where he lived. It had 12 households as members. When these few folks began to build the church, the surrounding Muslim community rose against them and bombed the church building and burnt down seven houses belonging to the local believers. The situation was horrific, but the believers stood firm and continued sharing their faith with Muslims and others.
As a result, many were included to the church over the years. At present, the church has grown to have more than a 1,000 members and has planted 27 daughter churches.
Recently, Anwar got the opportunity to travel and train more than 60 local missionaries in one of the daughter churches. He stayed with a family in a tukul where the Father and Mother are still Muslims but all their children, five sons and two daughters are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. This family opened their homes for Anwar to stay with them while teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anwar described the family as a lovely family that allowed him to have a time of fellowship and discussion regarding the Word of God around meals. What an amazing story!
Partnership
Dear friends and Partners of ETC, we are sharing with you these stories so that you will understand and rejoice with us in the great work the Lord is doing here at ETC. Moreover, we ask you to partner with us so that we can train more Anwar’s to reach out to our Muslim brothers & sisters with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your partnership and prayer have a significant place in the work of ETC and in the Kingdom of God.
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