The Ministry of Ezra
Ezra Rural Ministry, (ERM), is a ministry founded in Africa and supported by partners in the United States of America, respectively referred to as: Team Africa and Team USA.
Team Africa is based out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dereje Shiferaw is the director, with one additional teacher and an office manager comprising the paid staff. When there are changeovers, these are filled by qualified staff as the need arises.
Team USA is based in Dillon, a town of about 5,000 in SW Montana; support for ERM is generated from Prairie Bible Church, (PBC), and friends from several other states. ERM is a mission of PBC and has an all volunteer Board of Directors that meet four times each year. This Board provides oversight and financial accountability of donated funds.
The actual work/teaching takes place in several cities in Ethiopia: Hosanna (pop. 65,317), Butajira (pop. 30,456), and Tiya (pop. 3,363. The rural Christian workers from surrounding areas travel to these cities and towns for instruction and then return home to share the Gospel with their villages.
There are three levels of instruction available at this time: the 1-year Certificate Program, the 2-year Diploma Program (which includes the courses in the Certificate Program as the first year's coursework), and the Instructor/Teacher Program (a post- Diploma program.)
Certificate Program Courses:
Evangelism
How to Interpret the Bible
Preaching Method
Understanding Islam
Understanding Orthodox
Dealing with Cults
Spiritual Leadership
Family Life
Discipleship
Basic Health Education
Diploma Program Courses:
Christian Ethics
New Testament - one
New Testament - two
Old Testament - one
Old Testament - two
Mission in Ethiopia
Church Planting and Growth
Basic Bible Doctrines
How to Evangelize Illiterates
Pastoral Ministry
The Instructor/Teacher Program is offered to graduates of the Diploma Program who show and aptitude and "calling" to teach. They are then given instruction in teaching techniques and curriculum for teaching the Certificate courses in their home villages.
There are outreach seminars held for: church elders, youth leaders, government workers and for husbands and wives. Three have been presented: Marriage Seminar, Leadership Seminar and Evangelism Seminars, with good reviews by the participants.
Recently, Dereje has been presenting a seminar in "Tent-making" about the value of working an occupation while spreading the gospel, taken from the example of Paul in the New Testament. This has been well received and we are seeking God's wisdom and provision for expansion.
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