The CMCR is convened by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, an LWF member church since 1963, and one that is well-known for its deep commitment to mission as holistic, emphasizing that preaching the gospel must always come together with serving the neighbor.
“This gathering is an expression of mutual empowerment, which guarantees mutual responsibility and mutual accountability. Christianity is becoming all the more global … and the first thing to recognize is that we need each other more than ever,” said EECMY President Rev. Yonas Yigezu Dibisa, opening the meeting.
"Christianity is becoming all the more global … and the first thing to recognize is that we need each other more than ever." (EECMY President Rev. Yonas Yigezu Dibisa)
The church participates in God’s mission
The CMCR is gathering this year for its 40th annual meeting. But it has not been a simple journey, first coming into being in 1979 at a meeting in Denmark, as Christians in Ethiopia were facing persecution and foreign missionaries were not allowed into the country.
Junge noted how the histories of the LWF and the EECMY have been intricately related since the LWF’s inception, expressing gratitude for the EECMY’s involvement in the more than 70-year journey of the communion.
“‘Here I stand’, said Luther once. ‘Here we journey’ we add today, amazed by the power of the message of justification through faith by grace alone…” Junge said, “We are just coming out of the events and activities to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, and we can confidently state: it’s not over. Reformation is ongoing.”