Maranatha!

ማራናታ! Maranatha!

For those of you who haven't yet heard, it is with great sadness that we share the passing of Evangelist Ato Mesfin Tesfaye this past October. All who knew him remember his boldness and the clarity with which he preached the Gospel, his "Maranatha!" trademark, and his love for books. He was rarely seen without a book in hand. In fact, we are told, he often missed his plane as a result of being totally engrossed in a book.

Our deepest condolences and prayers go to the family.

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them." [Book of Revelation 14:13]

You may read a sketch of his life in the Dictionary of African Christian Biography. We have also dedicated a book review of the Amharic translation of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life in Ethiopianchurch.org.