Wolliso

(written March 26, 2015)

Approximately 140kms west of Addis Abba, you’ll find the community of Wolliso. We made the journey to this community to visit with Pastor Tamru.

Tamru was the pastor who first discipled Fanosie when he came to faith in Christ! At the time Tamru was serving as a leader in the Sire congregation. Today he serves as an unpaid volunteer leader in the Meserete Kristos Church in Wolliso.

Tamru’s wife works in the local hospital and they have a combined family income of 3,000 Birr/month (approx. $187 CDN/month). At the end of the month when they receive their pay, Tamru and his wife have a unique tradition that they have followed for as long as Fanosie could remember. They take all the money they have, place it on the floor and together stand on top of the money, declaring, “This money will serve us! We will not serve this money!” 

 

Tamru led us on a tour the congregation’s compound – a large sprawling place by Ethiopian church standards! Like many of the outlying congregations they also host a Compassion ministry office that seeks to work with the children in the community…as we toured the grounds a group of boys launched into a vigorous game of soccer.

The Wolliso church is a “Mother Church” for the region.

The congregation was originally planted out of the Meserete Kristos mother church in Nazret. As of today the congregation has birthed 18 established churches, has three local congregations under its direct supervision, and is actively working in 14 church planting centres (including one that worships under a tree because they can’t afford a building!). To save you doing the math, that’s 35 congregations birthed out of this one congregation!

Our driver Adiso

As we traveled through the streets of Wolliso, Tamru pointed out the palm trees that line many of the boulevards of the community. Each of these trees was planted by the Wolliso Meserete Kristos Church as a gift to the community! Tamru was quiet and humble about this action taken by the congregation, but did admit that the congregations active participation in the beautification of the community had greatly increased the respect the congregation and its leaders have in this community…and now we understand how the congregation was able to secure such a large compound!

Suffice it to say, this visit challenged me! Lots to think about…