Central + Ethiopia
In 2015 our Elder board was feeling led by God to focus the ministries of Central Church around a few initiatives. They wanted us to go deep instead of broad. Around that same time they became aware of Adams Thermal Foundations new work in Ethiopia. Mike Adams, founder of ATF and Central Church member, met with our Elders and shared his heart for Ethiopia and about the work at their two schools in Hosanna and Ottoro. After prayer and thoughtful consideration the Elders decided to commit to Ethiopia as one of our three initiatives. In January of 2016 Central sent its first team to Ethiopia and God has continued to grow and bless this ministry ever since.
Central's International Partners
Every child deserves the love of a healthy family. But children who have been orphaned or abandoned are often alone, separated from siblings, and left to fend for themselves in orphanages or on the street. Selamta recreates and empowers families so these children can grow up knowing their God-given dignity and worth, healing generational brokenness, and transforming lives. Selamta’s holistic, community-integrated, permanent approach brings children from institutions and the street into the loving arms of a healthy family where hope and healing are found. In 2022 The Kingdom Fund and the Elders approved the sponsorship of a Forever Home. Forever homes are made up of one mom, an “auntie”, and eight previously homeless or abandoned children. In 2023, Central took a team over to Ethiopia to host an English camp for the Selamta children, as well as children from the surrounding community. This provided the children with the opportunity to be immersed in the English language and converse with native speakers, as well as learn five Bible stories. Contact Kendra Michael, Associate Outreach Pastor, for more information about Selamta. The Timothy Initiative (TTI) exists to advance Christ’s Kingdom by multiplying disciples and disciple making churches around the world. It’s their vision to see multiplying, disciple making churches in every place and people group. Central and TTI began their partnership in 2020. To date through your generosity and gifts from the Kingdom Fund, Central has donated to TTI to see over 2,200 churches planted in Ethiopia. The Kingdom Fund also gave a gift to purchase 10,850 physical Bibles and 2,700 audio Bibles in local dialects. Central attendees and staff have also participated in multiple vision trips through TTI. Partners Worldwide is a global network of businesspeople working to end poverty through entrepreneurship so all can have the abundant life God desires. They partner with locally led community institutions throughout the world to foster job creation and empower businesspeople to be redemptive agents in the marketplace. There are 700 million image-bearers that live in extreme poverty of less than $2 a day and another three billion living on less than $10 a day around the world. God has given Partners Worldwide a model and message that works and that the world needs; a call to business and serving the poor. Learn more about Partners Worldwide In January of 2024, Central entered into a three year partnership with Partners Worldwide. The Kingdom Fund and Elders voted to cover all of Partners Worldwide’s program expenses in Ethiopia for that three year period. We are currently exploring mentorships and trip opportunities for Central attendees with business and entrepreneur backgrounds. To learn more about this partnership and how you can use your talents and treasures to further this ministry in Ethiopia, please reach out to Kendra Michael. Make Your Mark Global (MYMG) takes a holistic approach to meet the physical, spiritual, educational, social and emotional needs of every child they serve. They aim to empower each child to break free of the grips of living in the streets and from generational poverty by providing programs to help kids step into lives with the purpose that God has intended for them. Learn more about Make Your Mark Global In early 2024, Central began to explore a partnership with MYMG. During this time we have been able to provide them with the necessary materials to set up a computer lab as they teach the boys in their program, basic computer and tech skills. Kendra Michael will be officing out of MYMG starting in the Fall of 2024 and will lead trainings and Bible studies for their various programs. Contact Kendra Michael, Associate Outreach Pastor, for more information about MYMG. M.K.A. is an abbreviation for an Amharic phrase that means “Equipping for Christ’s Ministry.” M.K.A.’s mission is to equip pastors in Ethiopia through seminary education and seminars. M.K.A. also does a variety of outreaches to the least of these throughout the country of Ethiopia. In January of 2022 the Kingdom Fund at Central donated for emergency food and medical supplies to be distributed in the Tigray region. Central has also sent two teams to Ethiopia to work with M.K.A. through street evangelism and feeding programs in the city of Addis Ababa. Contact Kendra Michael, Associate Outreach Pastor, for more information about M.K.A. The Emmanuel Disability Association and Workshop located in Soddo, Ethiopia is often the only option for people in need of disability equipment. Melese Eyob, a founder of the association and workshop makes dreams a reality for disabled Ethiopians. Melese knows these struggles firsthand. He has had Polio since childhood and lived on the streets himself, until he was helped by Soddo Christian Hospital 15 years ago with surgery. Even with the surgery, he cannot get around without crutches. He started the association and workshop due to the dire need of medical supplies and job opportunities for the disabled. The workshop not only improves the lives of those they serve, but also those that they employ. Most of the employees are disabled, many of whom were living on the street before being offered shelter, training, and a job by Melese. He and his team work tirelessly with the minimal supplies available to them. To date Central has distributed over 100 wheelchairs and 40 prosthetic limbs through Emmanuel to people in need in Soddo and Hosanna, Ethiopia. Contact Kendra Michael, Associate Outreach Pastor, for more information about Emmanuel Prosthetic. Adams Thermal Foundation operates two K-12 schools for at-risk children in southwest Ethiopia. These schools also administer self-help programs so that women and mothers of students can learn business and job skills. Together, these programs seek to break the generational cycle of poverty and lift children and their families out of despair and hopelessness. Adams Thermal Academy Hosanna (ATAH) operates in a city located 115 miles southwest of the capital, Addis Ababa. The school only enrolls students who would otherwise be unable to obtain an education, due to poverty, disease, or the loss of one or both parents. ATAH is one of the top performing schools in the region and serves as an example for other public and private schools there. ATAH also operates a full-day academic schedule, while public schools typically offer only half-day opportunities. Learn more about Adams Thermal Central has been sending teams to Ethiopia through Adams Thermal since 2015. Through your generosity and the Kingdom Fund we have helped build two high schools, completed a water project for the community of Ottoro, developed a school feeding program, and an spoken English language program. Several hundred children are also sponsored at the schools by Central attendees. Contact Kendra Michael, Associate Outreach Pastor, for more information about ATF.
