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October 16
Butajira – South Regional State, Ethiopia
Ashewameda, Ethiopia
Today marked the first full day of training in Ethiopia, and it was a meaningful and impactful start. Blake co-led the training alongside Pastor Ashebir and Pastor Gezu (who also served as his interpreter), in partnership with the Ethiopian Gospel Believers Church Council.
The team met with 38 local pastors in the rural town of Ashewameda for a day focused on discipleship and evangelism. Blake taught the discipleship portion of the training, while the Ethiopian leaders emphasized the importance of developing disciples who make disciples. It was a powerful message of multiplication and spiritual growth.
What made today especially significant was the reach of those in attendance. Many of the leaders present oversee entire denominations—together, they represented more than 100 churches. These leaders plan to take the tools and principles from today’s training and bring them back to their own pastors, creating ripple effects across their regions.
Blake has had very little sleep since beginning his travels two days ago. Please be praying for deep rest and renewed strength as the training continues in the days ahead.
October 17
Debrezit – Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia
On the second day of training, the team gathered in the town of Debre Zeyit, where 32 pastors and church leaders came together for a powerful day of equipping and encouragement. Collectively, these leaders oversee more than 250 congregations, making the impact of this training both deep and far-reaching.
These leaders only have the opportunity to attend training at the local ministry center twice a year, making today’s session all the more significant. Pastor Ashebir led the morning with a teaching on servant leadership and visionary outreach, casting a compelling vision for reaching not only Ethiopia, but the predominantly Muslim, North African nations with the gospel.
Dr. Gezu followed with a session on Organic Outreach, helping the leaders envision practical ways to share the good news within their own cultural contexts. Blake then taught on personal discipleship and essential leadership principles for church evangelism and discipleship, encouraging the leaders to invest deeply in their own walk with Christ and in raising up others.
The setting for the day was a beautiful church perched above a peaceful lake—an inspiring backdrop for worship and learning. As a special expression of hospitality, the church community lovingly prepared and served lunch using vegetables and food grown right on the church grounds. It was a reminder of the deep generosity we have witnessed among the Ethiopian believers.
Please continue to lift up Blake and the team in prayer as they press on in this important work.
October 18
Butajira, Ethiopia
Saturday’s event went very well with 40 leading pastors in the Butajira area of Ethiopia. Just a couple of photos – Blake is out of service range but the local leaders managed to get us a few photos.
October 23
Kigali, Rwanda
The teaching in Kigali went very well. There were more in attendance than we had planned for, which is always a good thing – praise God!
Please be praying for those who attended the event, that they would return safely to their homes and that they would begin to put into practice what they have learned.
Also, yesterday at 1pm, a weary Blake landed in Amarillo and was reunited with his family.
Today, Bishop Simwa and Pastor Stanley Nsofwa are making their way to Chingola Zambia. It is a long day of travel for Peter, so please be in prayer for him that he will be able to rest on the way.
Finally, please be in prayer for those who are even now on their way to Chingola to attend the event on Saturday. Last year, the event was on a weekday and many could not attend because of their work (they are all bi-vocational). This year they are so excited that they can attend and they are eager to learn more of what they only heard about second-hand last year.
October 25
Chingola, Zambia
Last year when I went to Chingola, Zambia to teach it was on a weekday. We had about 50 in attendance because so many could not get away from their day jobs. I promised them that this year we would teach on a Saturday. I am stunned at the number of pastors and leaders who attended. Over 100! Bishop Simwa and Pastor Nsofwa conducted the training and report that the audience was very attentive throughout the day. I can’t wait to see the fruit begin to develop following this event. Simwa and Nsofwa will be moving on to Lusaka, Zambia tomorrow and will hopefully get some much needed rest.
Please pray for the leaders who attended, that they would keep the momentum as they take these concepts to their churches. Pray also for our teachers as they travel and prepare for the next teaching event on Tuesday, October 28th.
October 28
Lusaka, Zambia
From Pastor Stanley Nsofwa – OOI Leader for Zambia:
“This is Lusaka meeting we had few people because it was a Monday but it more impactful because we dealt with the youthful leadership who were trained well by bishop peter and the churches involved requested we again invite bishop peter for more leadership training .
Bishop simwa he is a gifted communicator and he won crowds here they love his style of teaching , though those once saw you last time missed your presence and your teaching, we had to explain why.”
November 1
Zanzibar, Tanzania
I finally heard from Bishop Simwa. The internet is still blocked, but he was able to get a message out via his cell provider. The Dar es Salaam event was well attended. Everyone was ready for a brief respite from the political unrest and riots. The pastors who attended are eager to get back to their churches to begin putting into practice what they have learned.
There were some flight issues, but Bishop made it to Zanzibar where there was an even greater reception to the curriculum. Peter returns (God willing) to Eldoret, Kenya tomorrow. Please continue to pray for peace in Tanzania, safe travel for Bishop, and momentum for those who attended the teachings in Tanzania.
Thank you for joining OOI on this journey. Your prayer support s not only appreciated, but coveted.
