Evangelicals Triple in Ethiopia | 21

Until the toppling of the Communist regime in 1991, Ethiopian Evangelicals were subjected to intense persecution. Since then there has been unprecedented growth in their numbers, and the present government allows full freedom of worship. According to a recent report, the Ethiopia Statistics Authority (ESA) indicates that Ethiopia’s population has reached 76.9 million, which makes it the second most populated African country after Nigeria.

According to this census, the number of Christians (Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, other) in Ethiopia has increased from 32.7 million in 1995 to 46.4 million this year. Most of this growth can be attributed to the Ethiopian Evangelical population which nearly tripled, growing from 5.4 million in 1995 to around 14 million today (18.4% of the national population). Meanwhile the Ethiopian Muslim population has increased from 17.4 million (32.8%) to 25.2 million (33.9 %).

Although the government allows freedom to practice and propagate all religions, evangelical Christians are being hampered in parts of the country where Muslims are in the majority. Despite the economic hardships caused by regular droughts and the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Somalia, the ESA projects that Ethiopia’s population could reach 115 million by the year 2015.

Source: Timma Times; Revival Media 

BIBLE STUDY: John 10:1-16

PRAISE: God for the fastest growing evangelical church in Africa. Pray for the training of leaders so that the Church may grow in the wisdom of Christ, and become a major influence in the nation.