Ethiopian church and LWF tribute to visionary theologian Gedion Adugna

A tragic loss for Mekane Yesus and LWF communion

(LWI) - The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and the global Lutheran communion have paid tribute to lay theologian Gedion Adugna, who died on 19 November, aged 33.

Adugna was the Associate Dean of Theology at the EECMY Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa, where he also taught. He had served in a variety of posts in the church, and contributed globally to many theological education processes including at The Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

EECMY leaders expressed deep appreciation for the young theologian at a memorial service on 23 November. They noted his clear vision for the transformation of both his church and society at large.

EECMY President Rev. Dr Wakseyoum Idosa said at the memorial service held at the Mekane Yesus Seminary chapel that Adugna’s sudden and tragic death had saddened both the EECMY and the seminary where he taught. Colleagues at the theological education institution described him as friendly, bright and helpful towards his students, and as an outstanding leader with great potential.

In his message of condolences to the EECMY president, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge noted that Adugna had been an active, committed theologian in various LWF global endeavors and would be remembered as supportive, gentle and friendly by those who had met him.

“His contribution to the Mekane Yesus Seminary and the EECMY, especially around theological education, has enriched the work of various LWF global programs,” Junge said. “In this regard, his tragic departure is also a great loss to the LWF communion at large.”

Adugna was born in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia. He received a degree in Church History from the Mekane Yesus Seminary before serving the Central Ethiopia Synod, coordinating its youth department. After two years of service with the synod, he was invited to teach at the seminary in 2009.

In 2011 he completed a Masters of Theology at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and continued serving the Mekane Yesus Seminary as a teacher and associate dean.

Additionally, he served as a board member of the EECMY Children and Youth Department and participated in the preparation of the church’s children’s curriculum. He also developed curriculum for the seminary’s theology department.

He represented the EECMY at different meetings and consultations regionally and globally, including at the recent LWF conference on the global perspectives of the Reformation in Windhoek, Namibia. He was also an active member of Global Associates for Transformational Education, where he made a significant contribution to theological education focused on transformation.  

Adugna is survived by his wife Ayantu Shiferaw, and their son.

(Tsion Alemayehu, public relations officer at the EECMY, contributed to this story)