History of Missions in Ethiopia

The history of missions in Ethiopia is a long and storied one. Most like to point back to the story of Solomon being visited by the Queen of Sheba in the belief that she took her new faith back to her people. Another Biblical instance of missions to the Ethiopians is in Acts chapter 8, when Phillip evangelizes to the Ethiopian eunuch. There is a deeper significance to the eunuch from Ethiopia because he is studying the book of Isaiah when he meets Philip indicating that there was already a Jewish presence within the country. This account of Philip takes place within the first century. (1)

By Spicer, William Ambrose, 1866- [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

By the third century Frumentius takes the gospel to Ethiopia and the King of Axum in Ethiopia declares Christianity to be the official religion of the land. Then began a quiet period at least as far as Christian missions were concerned. (2)

When Muslims were persecuted in Mecca there was a significant migration of Muslims to the country of Ethiopia. The initial growth of Islam was hampered by both the native Christians and the native belief systems of the various people groups, including the Oromo. (3) This migration is thought to be sometime around the time of the 6th century. Christianity and Islam grew in numbers till the 15th century when conflict began to spread through Ethiopia. (4) It is believed that Sufi Islam composes the majority of muslims in Ethiopia. (5)

By أحمد.طارق (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Around this same time Jesuits began to minister within Ethiopia to the point that the King is believed to have been converted. Protestants followed in the 16th century. Germany, Sweden, Norway, Holland, and America all sent missionaries to reach the people of Ethiopia. The first Protestant missionary was a Lutheran named Peter Heyling. (6) The various missionary efforts by different groups came to a stand still at the end of the 1930’s when fascist Italy marched into Ethiopia. Yet during this time, the small churches began to blossom and experienced a great revival among the people. In more recent times other denominations began to flex their missionary might in the Horn of Africa. Baptists began their work officially in 1993.(7) the Church of Latter Day Saints began in the same year. (8)

By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Other religions such as the Baha’i faith arrived early in the 20th century. A community was established in 1934, and from this there has been enough growth to make it worth mentioning. By 2005 there were some 26,581 who claimed Baha’i religion.(9) 

Buddhist and Jehovah’s Witness carry a small minority within the country. It is clear that these faiths, most especially Christianity and Islam, have growth. Local belief systems have not experienced such growth as either of these major religions. Judaism also retains a part of the population from early times.  

By Nevet Basker (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

It is clear that Christianity and Islam have had a significant impact on the Ethiopian people throughout history. The wars between these two faiths have had an impact both of the major towns and on outlying people groups. They have influenced also to ruling elite within the country. Christianity which first came to Ethiopia has in many ways defined the nation. It was because of this Christian heritage that the Portuguese originally sought out contact with Ethiopia. They hoped to unite with these Christians in a strong front against the Muslims, both for religious and economic reasons. Although when Islam first migrated to Ethiopia there was a general peace between the two faiths, from the 15th century on there have been sporadic tensions. In 2011, 55 churches were burned due to interfaith conflict.(10) 

1. SIM. "Ethiopia." Serving the Church Across Cultures. Accessed August 9, 2016. http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/ET.

2. “Missions time line." Missions Mobilizer. Last modified January 29, 2015. Accessed August 9, 2016. https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/line.htm.

3. “Islam in Ethiopia." Wikipedia. Last modified May 2, 2016. Accessed August 9, 2016.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Ethiopia.

4. Ethiopian Treasures. “The Muslim-Christian War."Accessed August 9, 2016. http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/rel-war.htm.

5. Shinn, David H. “A Look at Muslim-Christian Relations in Ethiopia.” International Policy Digest. January 21, 2014. Accessed August 9, 2016.http://intpolicydigest.org/2014/01/21/a-look-at-muslim-christian-relations-in-ethiopia/.

6.“Missions time line." Missions Mobilizer. Last modified January 29, 2015. Accessed August 9, 2016. https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/line.htm.

7. Africa. "Ethiopia." Baptist Mid-Misiions. Accessed August 9, 2016. https://www.bmm.org/country/ethiopia/.

8. Facts and Statistics. "Ethiopia." Newsroom. Accessed August 9, 2016. http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-statistics/country/ethiopia.

Google. "Privacy Policy." Google Policies & Principles. Last modified July 27, 2012. Accessed August 9, 2016. http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.

9. Wikipedia. “Baha’i Faith in Ethiopia." Last modified April 21, 2016. Accessed August 9, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahá%27%C3%AD_Faith_in_Ethiopia.

10. “Religion in Ethiopia." Wikipedia. Last modified May 10, 2016. Accessed August 9, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Ethiopia.