COLIM Summer Mission Highlights
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:1-3
Kunama Lutheran Fellowship
Jesus’s promise is the ONLY SURE HOPE to those who currently feel like they have no place at all. This is certainly true for all those whose lives have been riddled with sin, suffering, uncertainty and sadness, and to those who are tired of the struggle with this fallen world and the sin that still lives inside of them. But how does Jesus’ promise of an eternal, glorious destiny help people unless they hear the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness of their sins? Here at COLIM, by the grace of God, we make the concerted effort to share the love of Jesus with groups from Ethiopia, such as the Kunama Somali Muslims. The Lord is at work in our mission. We are telling the least reached people about Jesus. Those who receive the message are being drawn to church, catechized, baptized and discipled. Ebenezer is so blessed to have them attend Sunday worship service with us, and have their children be active in our Sunday school. In addition, their teenagers are participating in our teens’ ministry on Friday evenings (see picture below). The Kunama teenagers are interested in starting Catechism class this coming Fall. Thanks be to God for all his Blessings in this area!
Ebenezer Congregation Ministry
This past July 6, 2025 Ebenezer Church celebrated the joy of 10 youth who confirmed their Christian faith, of which 4 were baptized.
Ongoing Somali Mission Outreach
Currently, we are engaging three Somali Muslims through weekly visits, religious conversations, dialogue and building relationships. The Lord uses people in unexpected ways. Last month (June), we met a Somali Muslim, Sultan Muhammad, who was considering converting to the Christian faith. Sultan was open to spiritual conversation after several encounters with him at the Somali community and, eventually, a visit to his residence. June 5, 2025, was Eid al Adha, the three-day “Feast of Sacrifice”, which is the most important holiday on the Muslim calendar when Muslims commemorate Abraham Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ishmail). During our conversation, I asked Sultan about sacrifices, “Do you know the Jews used to sacrifice every day? And Muslims sacrifice every year? Why do you think the Christians have never sacrificed?” In the Abrahamic story, at the very point of his willingness to sacrifice, God replaced Isaac with a ram, which was to be slaughtered in place of his son. In the same way, the Bible says, Jesus is the Lamb of God, the final sacrifice, who takes away the sin of the world, cf. John 1:29. Sultan is so interested in coming to Church and learning more about Jesus. Sultan reads the Bible and Christian materials at home. We visit with Sultan weekly and talk over the phone about Jesus almost daily. Most recently, Sultan invited two of his close relatives to hear about Jesus. They too are interested to follow Jesus and come to church. However, for fear of their Muslim community, for now, this new team chooses to remain undisclosed but still learning about Jesus. Thanks be to God!
In addition, there is a weekly Somali Christian gathering for those who have already been baptized. Once a month, these brothers and sisters in Christ join Ebenezer Sunday worship for the Word and Sacrament ministry.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Berhanu Arsse
Pastor – Ebenezer Church and Missionary with COLIM
Gratitude and Prayer Requests
Thank you to all friends who are partnering with us through your prayers and financial support.
Please pray for the Lord’s continued guidance, wisdom and courage for us to share the Gospel among the immigrants: Somali Muslims, Ethiopians, the Kunamas, and all nations.
Please pray for the Lord’s strength and provision for Somali convert Christians as they live out their faith among a very hostile community.
Please be a partner in the Gospel with COLIM through your prayers and financial support as we vigorously share the love of Jesus’ among the nations who are yet to hear the forgiveness and the hope of everlasting life that He alone gives.
God bless!