Ethiopian Lutherans Make New Home in U.S.

Each year, thousands of Ethiopians – many who are Christians – immigrate to the United States. Over the past decade, the LCMS has begun to connect to many of these immigrants, and now LHF is adding its support with Amharic and Oromo translations of Lutheran books like the Book of Concord, catechisms and A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories.

“Lutheran churches have become a safe oasis for all our diaspora (scattered) communities by welcoming them and reaching out to them with the compassion of Christ,” said Rev. Gemechu Olana, pastor of Oromo Lutheran Church in Los Angeles since 2009. “Reaching out to the Oromo-speaking people with the sound Gospel of Christ, in a language that’s meaningful to them, is critical.”

LHF has already translated several books into the Amharic language for Ethiopians, and the Oromo Small Catechism and A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories are underway.

“[It’s important to] notice that Ethiopia is the only Christian-ruled country in the horn of Africa, which has been the major focus of the Arabs and other Muslim countries,” reflected Rev. Olana. “So translating some of the basic Lutheran confessions into the Oromo language is a critical strategic mission endeavor that not only supports the diaspora in the United States, but the Christians in Ethiopia as well.”