Ethiopian Church Names South Sudanese ‘Peace Ambassador’
By Anteneh Yilma, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
As South Sudan entered crisis in December 2013, Ethiopia as a sisterly Country received more than 100,000 refugees from South Sudan. Some refugees are believed to move toward Uganda and Kenya while similar numbers of refugees are expected to settle in Sudan. Gatwech Koak Nyuon, a young man from South Sudan launched his campaigns to end 8 months conflict in his Country through ‘power of prayer’, a campaign which has been publicly supported by Christians communities around the World.
In three days conference organized by Youth of Lebu Kale Hiywot Church in Addis Ababa, Gatwech strongly urged the Christian Communities around the World to pray for South Sudan. He did not blame the warring parties but term the crisis as leadership struggle and it should simply be solved through dialogue and nonviolence. He added that thousands of deceased who lost their lives in the conflict will never be rose again. Meanwhile; the continuation of war between warring parties will swipe the productive ages and hinder the development in South Sudan. Both warring parties are due to kick-off next round of talk on July 30th, 2014. So far, IGAD had given 60 days to cease the fighting but both parties trade an accusation on battle of Nasir last weeks.
In a very emotional, provoking, charismatic speech attended by more than 200 youth, he hotly elaborated that “Christian Communities must bring this issue to an end through the power of prayer”. The audiences were so applause!! A 28 years old young man stood tall with purple suit was alone in the conference; I found him friendly and compassionate. Gatwech is the first South Sudanese to visit Lebu Kale Hiywot Church for the first time in history since its establishment in 1920s.
Ethiopian Kale Hiywot (Word of Life) Church (KHC) is the largest evangelical denomination in Ethiopia. Started in the early 1920s by pioneering Serving In Mission, formerly, Sudan Interior Mission, (SIM) missionaries, Kale Hiywot Church thrived in the South Central and South Western corners of the country during the five-year Italian occupation in the 1930s (Wikipedia).
Some audiences described Gatwech as the best motivational speaker ever. “He is so young; I didn’t expect this campaign to be initiated by him. His words inspired me. God loves him indeed!!” Mindaye Yohannes described.
Lebu Kale Hiywot Church’s elders received prayer request to continue with it until a change is seen through power of prayer in South Sudan. Currently the overall Ethiopian Kale Hiywot Church has about or more than 7,774 local congregation and estimated 6.7 million members and adherents.
South Sudan problem is our problem as Africans, as children of God and as member of entire Human family. I also urge the Christian Communities to put this very hot issue to their concern either at family level or at church level wherever they reside.
On their parts, the Lebu Kale Hiywot Church conference facilitator congratulated Mr. Gatwech for his roles as a peace maker and forwards the prayer request voluntarily.
Consequently, one of an Evangelist declared him to be an Ambassador for Peace on their prayers. “On behalf of my congregations, I declared Mr. Gatwech to be an Ambassador for Peace and South Sudan will soon recover from the dust”. An Evangelist Teshome.
Gatwech said that he would not give up. Instead he urged more prayers so that he should extend his visit to other African, European and US Countries for more prayers.
“As I started my campaign in Addis Ababa, this is just the beginning. I need more help from people so that this message should reach out globally and the only way to make this happen should be through prayers”. He calls on willingly people to pray for Ukraine, Syria, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Libya, Somalia etc…
Gatwech speaks ‘Amharic’ and currently schooling in Mekane Yesus Management and Leadership College, a College administered by Ethiopian Evangelical Mekane Yesus Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He disclosed that he is working on Documentary to be released on YouTube so that people will pray bases on real situation.
The Author is an independent writer on Education and other Human Rights Issues based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He should be reach on: antushyil@gmail.com
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