Anwar is a Langham Scholar who did his PhD at the Melbourne School of Theology in 2018. Since then, he and his wife Tsigereda have been ministering in Addis Ababa in their home country of Ethiopia.
Anwar serves as academic dean for the undergraduate programs, lecturer, and head of the MA in Christian-Muslim Relations program at the Evangelical Theological College, Ethiopia. He is also involved in leadership roles, preaching, teaching, training, and evangelistic endeavors at his church (ABKHC) and other churches in Ethiopia.
Tsigereda serves in the children’s ministry as a Sunday school teacher and team leader in the love and mercy ministry at the Alemgena Bethel Kale Heywet Church (ABKHC), Ethiopia.
Bringing the voice of Ethiopia to Christian literature
Anwar continues to use his voice to resource the church in Ethiopia and beyond through writing and contributing to various publications.
Anwar shares, “I wrote a book chapter that was published in 2024. The book’s title is “Islam: Global Christian Perspectives: Voices of Majority World Christian Scholars of Islam.” I wrote on “Contemporary Christian-Muslim Relations.” The chapter overviews interfaith engagement initiatives around the world made by both Muslims and Christians in recent times.”
Currently, Anwar is starting to work on a book entitled “Called to Faith and Called to Serve.” He will analyse the stories of conversion, discipleship, and ministry and what cultural, spiritual, social and theological dynamics are involved in people’s journeys.
This is an exciting project you can pray for as he starts to write!
New teaching and training
In his teaching ministry, Anwar is leading the new Master of Theology (ThM) in Islamic Studies program, which will be launched at the Evangelical Theological College in June 2025. This program is a research postgraduate degree that aims to equip Christian missionaries, leaders, educators, and writers with knowledge and skills in research and writing.
Recently, he was also involved in running a 5-week course on evangelism via Zoom for Ethiopian Christian students in Indian universities.
Anwar shares, “These students live all around India and interact with university students every day. Some were church leaders in Ethiopia and had a huge positive influence in their community back home.”
The lectures focused on evangelistic methods and approaches, discipleship, and responding to common questions of those from other faiths.
Anwar says, “The training went well, and the participants made a firm commitment to share the gospel and support the mission work that is going on in communities in Ethiopia and beyond.”
Navigating persecution and challenging contexts
For Anwar, Tsigereda and their family, Ethiopia poses many challenges. There is real danger and persecution for Christians, some of which Anwar recently encountered in January. Please pray for them and for the people of Ethiopia.
Please pray:
- Ask God to keep Anwar and his family safe
- Praise God for sustaining Anwar through his trials in January and for the resolution of that particular serious persecution matter
- Ask God to continue to grow people through Anwar’s teaching
- Ask God to bless the launch of the new Master of Theology (ThM) in Islamic Studies program at ETC in June 2025
- Ask God to strengthen Tsigereda in here ministry in church and in the home
- Thank God for how He is at work through Anwar and Tsigereda so powerfully