33Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Christian communities are facing serious religious freedom issues. Non-traditional Christians get the harshest treatment from local authorities and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC).

Converts from Islam, especially in the east and southeast, and those from Orthodox backgrounds face intense family and community pressure. In other regions, Christians are attacked by Islamist mobs and often denied community resources, leading to social isolation.

The political violence over the past three years, along with recent conflicts in the Tigray, Amhara and Oromia regions, have made things worse for Christians. Many churches have been attacked and destroyed, and even those seeking refuge in churches weren’t safe from violence.

Meet Desta

“Because I came [to the Open Doors trauma care seminar], countless things have changed in me … Jesus was also hated, and He was also cast out. So what I’ve learned is to befriend these people. We need to know they won’t love us, but we need to live for them.”

Desta (name changed)

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors works through the local church to strengthen Christians in Ethiopia with leadership, persecution survival training and economic empowerment projects.