Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus

The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus ( abbreviation: Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane EECMY = Yesus ) was founded in 1959.

History

The name " Mekane Yesus " comes from the Ethiopian Orthodox church language, from the Ge'ez, and is called translated into German: The place where Jesus lives.

The Mekane Yesus Church emerged from reform movements within the Orthodox Church and from the work of Lutheran missions from Sweden, Germany, Norway, Denmark and the USA. In 1975, she signed a cooperation agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, in which both churches recognized as full partners, mutually recognized the ordination and the pulpit and altar fellowship confirmed.

Under the ruling communist military regime since 1975 the EEMYC like other Ethiopian Church was subjected to severe repression, including confiscation and expropriation of ecclesiastical institutions and arbitrary detention of employees.

Beginning of 2013 the General Synod decided to end the partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and the Swedish churches. Reason is the position of these churches to the community of homosexual couples.

Tasks

In addition to theological and spiritual tasks today are medical supplies, craft training, irrigation, soil conservation and reforestation programs and the famine relief in important activities.

Organization

The Mekane Yesus Church is divided into 21 synods and two specialized agencies and has 6,644 municipalities and 2,818 preaching places (as of 2009 ). A synod is approximately equal in area extent and form of organization of a larger Protestant Church in Germany.

President of the Church since 2009, Pastor Wakseyoum Idosa, Secretary General is ( also since 2009) Berhanu Ofgaa.

The Mekane Yesus Church is both a member of the Lutheran World Federation and the World Alliance of Reformed.

At present it has more than 5.8 million members.