Advent 2024 - Ministry Highlights

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

      Luke 2:10-11

Outreach

The Gospel is an appeal to investigate the light of Christ which is always visible and shines for all the world. Through the ministry of COLIM, lives are being eternally transformed as we proclaim Jesus’ love to immigrant communities of different nations.

This past Thanksgiving, we were blessed to share the Gospel message, while building relationships with and inviting Muslim immigrants from Somalia, Yemen, and Senegal to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Some of those invitees are still coming back. Due to stringently intolerant Islamic rules, it is nearly impossible to bring the Gospel to these people in their own home countries. Yet, thousands of Muslims live around us here in central Ohio, where we can tell them about Jesus with a lesser threat to them and to us. The Lord is at work. The freedom of worship God gives us here cannot be taken for granted. We invite others to join us to worship Him with us. Thanks be to God!

Baptism and Discipleship at Ebenezer

God is blessing Ebenezer with more youth eager to learn the Word of God and be catechized. Currently, 10 Ebenezer confirmands actively participate in catechism classes. Three of these catechumens have never been baptized, and they are so excited to be baptized!

Reaching Somali Muslims for Jesus

Christmas is a special time to share God’s love with Somali Muslims. We go into their apartment complexes and share food (groceries) with those in need. This is the best way to initiate a relationship, or friendship and gradually invite them to Church.

For the sake of Christ’s mission,

Rev. Dr. Berhanu Arsse
Pastor – Ebenezer Church & Missionary (COLIM)

Advent Report and Prayer Requests

Please pray for the abundance of the Lord’s grace and Spirit to strengthen, and work with/through us as we work to reach unreached peoples for eternity in light of the Great Commission.

Please pray for Somali Christians to grow in faith, and multiply in numbers.

Please pray for the safety of Somali Christians as they continue to experience rejection and hatred from their Muslim community.

Several Somali Christians are praying to start small businesses where they can work together to sustainably lead their lives as tent-making missionaries, most of all, to use these businesses as a platform to attract Muslim Somalis and share the Gospel with them. Please pray for God’s provision of finances.

It is a heavenly joy for us to share the Good News of Jesus with the least evangelized people groups here in Central Ohio (Luke 15:7; Isa. 52:7; 1 Tim. 2:4). This cannot happen without you. Would you please continue supporting COLIM in reaching Somali Muslims and other immigrant nations here in Columbus? Please help us fulfill this God-pleasing mission and increase the Kingdom’s impact in 2025.

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!