Ethiopia

Key Facts:
Leader: Meles Zenawi
Population: 74.8 million (65% Christian)
Majority Religion: Christianity
Type of Government: Federal republic

Christianity dates from the fourth century in Africa's oldest independent country.

Despite poverty, illiteracy, natural disasters and political upheaval, the minority evangelical Churches have seen remarkable growth, creating problems with some local authorities and Orthodox Churches – and radical Muslims in majority Islamic regions.

Churches have been attacked and converts beaten.

In 2006 murder and arson left 2,000 displaced, and some forcefully converted to Islam.

Prayer

• Pray for the witness of the Church in the face of hardship; for unity and renewal across all denominations
• Thank God for the growth of the Church
• Pray that the training of church leaders and the provision of Bibles and Christian literature will strengthen and encourage God's people.