Partnership Transitions

From Frontier Fellowship’s beginnings, Harold Kurtz (our founder and longtime missionary to Ethiopia) planted God’s love in our hearts for the people of Southwest Ethiopia. For nearly 40 years now, our team of mobilizers has invested time, energy, prayers and resources into empowering the growing Church in and around the towns of Jimma and Maji, inviting many of you into meaningful partnership with our brothers and sisters in Christ there. We are pleased with the good work God has done to establish churches with strong, visionary leadership. We rejoice that many least-reached peoples have gained access to the Gospel through projects like the Bonga Training Center, Jimma Outreach, Maji Apple Nursery and Dizi Bible Translation.

As these projects continue to transform lives and sustain local churches as they introduce people to Jesus, we recognize that our role with Jimma and Maji partners is coming to an end. Over many years of partnership, we’ve watched God grow, develop and strengthen His Church in these parts of Southwest Ethiopia. We celebrate that Church’s commitment to carry on the work of frontier mission to the many small, least-reached people groups around them. At the same time, we hear God inviting us to explore and engage new frontiers among least-reached people groups in places like Mongolia, Indonesia, Brazil and the Buddhist world.

While it pains us to take a step back from our partnerships in the Jimma and Maji regions, we are glad for those who remain to carry on the work—both indigenous leaders and cross-cultural workers. We honor them and all who have invested so much over the years to see God’s Kingdom come to these regions—the impact is significant. We thank God for the privilege of walking alongside these partners for a season, and are confident that the One who began this good work will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). Pray with us to that end, and thanks for partnering with us to help make the Good News of Jesus known among all peoples!