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It can’t be. Churches do not grow that fast. Certainly not Mennonite ones. There must be some mistake. You have 90,000 baptized adult members, with another 32,000 requesting baptism?” My knee-jerk reaction was, “You’d better count again. There must be some mistake, somewhere.”

Last February, my wife and I represented the International Mennonite Church at the Jubilee celebration (50 years) of the Ethiopian Meserete Kristos Church in Addis Ababa. We encountered one amazing fact after another.

1. It took them 20 years to reach the mark of 1,000 baptized adults, 30 years to reach the 5,000 mark, 40 to reach 50,000 and 50 to reach 90,000, where they are today. If that was not startling enough, they reported that they are presently instructing an additional 32,000 who have requested baptism. At this rate they will exceed 125,000 in two years.

2. The church went underground from 1982 to 1992, when the harsh Communist regime closed every one of their churches, so they had to restructure their lives completely to “survive” underground. Instead of barely surviving, they grew from 5,000 to 50,000 in those exacting 10 years.

3. While their major leaders were in prison a new generation of young leaders shouldered the demanding task of leadership, both men and women.

4. Bursting into the light of freedom, the church is building its churches on a truly massive scale. They used their newest and largest church to host the Jubilee (seats 5,000 comfortably). I was reminded of the fact that Ethiopia is a relatively poor nation, even by African standards, yet they are developing an institutional life which is breath taking. They have begun a liberal arts college which is already in its second year of a BA program.

5. Their spirituality is decidedly Ethiopian. My wife and I sat there through an entire weekend of marvelous, moving hymns, hearing none that evoked even an inkling of translated Western music. The worship bore the stamp, “made in heaven, clothed in Ethiopia.”

6. They had their own “Pentecost.” Why this growth? I sought missiological reasons and found many, like the happy transfer of power from missionary to local hands, able leaders, testing in affliction, the challenges posed by atheism which stirred many to believe, the way civil servants were moved all across the nation during the communist era which resulted in many church plantings. This list can not explain it.

I listened to their story. Prior to the communist era a dedicated group of university-age students committed themselves to do and be what the Lord desired. After weeks of prayer, Bible reading and fellowship, they found a new power working among them, the dynamic moving of the Holy Spirit. They were caught up by the compelling love of God and soon moved out, empowered to spread the news of the liberating power of the gospel. They called themselves “Heavenly Sunshine.” Soon the churches felt their influence and were likewise transformed. This spiritual renewal enabled the church to prosper in the toughest times which followed.

I believe that a story like this lies at the heart of every advance of the gospel. Each movement begins with something like a localized “Pentecost.” This is the fuel that ignites the believers for new advances in the kingdom. Why should I stand aghast when I see astounding growth? Does not the same Holy Spirit who enables believers to suffer for Christ’s name also delight in adding people to the swelling hosts of men and women around the world who cry, “Worthy is the Lamb?” I must learn to give glory and honor to God for rapid growth. He enjoys it, I am sure. Why shouldn’t I?

May 24, 2002