Terrorized by famine and government

From a great height, not far from Lake Tana, the river plummets over the Blue Nile Falls. The Blue Nile originates in Ethiopia, one of the world’s poorest countries, often struck by drought. Because of this, around 49% of the population is undernourished. Fewer than half of them can read and write. Despite this, Ethiopians are cheerful, beautiful and friendly people.

1984: Around one million people in Ethiopia die from starvation. At the same time, the communist reign of terror destroys one church after another, puts Christians in prisons and forces church movements underground.

Through Hans Ollesch, AVC establishes contact with an Ethiopian free church and begins supporting imprisoned Christians and their families. Parallel to this, workers are supported in passing on the good news of Jesus underground. Since the political change in 1991, Christians can practice their faith openly again. In 1996, AVC starts its sponsorship project “Bless a child”.

Faith brings new prospects

AVC motivates and finances many Ethiopians today, too, who are taking the good news to their fellow countrymen. They reach thousands of people in remote areas who have never heard anything about Jesus before. In the last 18 years, hundreds of thousands have come into relationship with God and hundreds of churches have been planted.

Our partner church alone has grown from 70 000 members to over 2 million in the last 18 years. It goes without saying that this has a powerful social influence on the whole of society.