Ethiopian-born Aredo first PAT program graduate
WINNIPEG, MB—When speaking about why he is a pastor, Assefa Aredo points to the Great Commission in the book of Matthew.
"When we [look] around us, there are a lot of people with no hope," Aredo says. "People need help. They need encouragement … and they need to know there is a life after this one - not only the life we have in Canada, but eternal life."
The 43-year-old moved to Canada from southern Oromia, Ethiopia 10 years ago. After years of working two full-time health care aid jobs, Aredo earned his theological diploma and was ordained this past April in the Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC). He is the first graduate from LCC's Pastors with Alternate Training (PAT) program.
In 2002, LCC recognized that Canada's ethnic diversity continues to increase, meaning churches face new challenges in providing pastoral ministry to immigrant populations in a language and context they understand. PAT was designed to prepare candidates for culture-specific or site-specific pastoral ministry.
Aredo worked full-time as a health care aid while studying in the program and also ministering to the local Lutheran Oromo community. He will continue to serve the Lutheran Oromo community in Winnipeg now that he is ordained.
Aredo says he and his congregation are looking forward to sharing the gospel with their neighbours.
"Right now I'm working with the Oromo people, but the gospel is not only for Oromo Africans - it's for everybody," he says. "Our whole congregation is looking at how we can take the gospel back to the community, into the city we are living in."
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