July/August - Ministry Highlights

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

      Hebrews 1:3

Outreach

In 2024, the Lord gave us a unique opportunity to share the Gospel and disciple Somali Muslims here in Columbus. As of February 2024, we have been holding two distinct weekly Somali meetings. The first meeting is geared toward Somali outreach. That is, we invite Somali Muslims to attend our fellowship, talk about the Good News of Jesus, allow them to ask questions, and give them answers (1 Peter 3:15). The other meeting is aimed at confirmation, spiritual growth, and discipleship for Somalis who confess their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

During one of our outreach meetings in July 2024, a Somali Muslim, Ousman Abdullah, came to attend our outreach meeting. In that session, we were discussing the problem of sin and the way of forgiveness. Meanwhile, Ousman asserted that only Allah can forgive sins. He then asked, “How could Jesus forgive my sins?”

This question led us to talk more about Jesus as written in the Bible. Jesus is not only the prophet/exact representative of God (Hebrews 1:3, quoted above), but He is God Himself. He is the eternal Word of God (John 1:1). He was with God in creating the world (Colossians 1:16). As the God-man, Jesus is the full revelation of God. No other prophet can give us a clearer view of God than Jesus. Jesus is the complete expression of God in a human body. Jesus is the God who fully reveals God. Moreover, by His death on the cross, Jesus can forgive our sins.

Ousman holds strong Islamic convictions. However, he keeps coming to our outreach meetings. He is open to hearing the Word of God, asking questions, at times arguing, and learning more about who Jesus is.

Christian Love and Care Paves the Way

This past August, Zahra, a Somali Muslim woman and a mother of five children, called to come and visit our church. Ousman, who has still not confessed Christ as Savior, told Zahra about the love, respect, and care he received at our meetings. So Zahra is going to attend our Somali outreach meeting at our church. We are praying and expecting the Holy Spirit to convict and convince this brother and sister to believe in the Gospel.

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Berhanu Arsse
Pastor - Ebenezer E.E. Church - LCMS & Missionary with COLIM

Thanksgiving Report and Prayer Requests

Please pray for our two weekly Somali mission and Gospel ministry meetings, including both those who came to Christ to grow in their faith and those who attend to learn about Jesus and trust in His forgiveness.

Please pray as we continue to share the love of God by giving away food, cards, and clothes and offering transportation support to those in need.

Please pray that all we say and do to proclaim the Gospel will radiate Jesus among the Somali Muslims who still need Him.

Please pray for some Somali Christian brothers and sisters planning to pursue vocational/tent-making ministry to sustain the Gospel outreach.

As the Lord blesses you and as you feel led, please prayerfully consider supporting our Gospel mission outreach financially. Your partnership has an eternal impact on the lives of the many Somali Muslims who are yet to hear and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Please note that we sincerely thank you for your support (prayer, financially, and in other miscellaneous ways, such as giving gas cards and/or assisting with transportation). We thank God for you as we carry on Christ’s Great Commission among the Somali Muslims here in Central Ohio!