Having visited a variety of churches in the US, Asia, Europe and Africa over the years, one experience many of them have in common is serving coffee, usually at fellowship times and meals. While there may be a variety of other drinks (cold and hot) available in various forms, it seems that everyone serves coffee. I’ve often wondered how this tradition has become part of the Christian experience in so many different parts of the world. It has succeeded in making caffeine the most commonly accepted drug among all the various denominations. While there may be many distinctive approaches to Christianity, it seems that coffee is one of those threads found almost everywhere.
An Ethiopian brewed cup of coffee is just moments away as the Coffee Ceremony reaches its conclusion
Recently during a visit to Ethiopia, I was introduced to the early history of coffee. I learned that coffee was initially discovered over a thousand years ago among the Oromo people on the plateaus of Ethiopia in the district of Kaffa. It is this district from which coffee derives its name. The Ethiopian people have developed an extended process for grinding and brewing the beans called the coffee ceremony. With small cups neatly positioned on a tray (this stuff is pretty strong), the water is boiled in a clay pot to which the ground coffee beans are added. Heated over a coal fire, the brewing process can take several hours. The aroma of roasted coffee fills the air and raises the anticipation of a truly original cup of coffee. Jan-Erik Nyman of Ibra Media and I had a conversation about the coffee ceremony while we were waiting for our first cup. Listen in on our conversation: A Coffee Ceremony Description
One will find a number of connections to Ethiopia in the Bible. It goes all the way back to the time of Solomon and a visit from the Queen of Sheba. There is also the story of the Ethiopian eunuch hearing the gospel on his way back from Jerusalem. There are other stories in Ethiopia concerning the “lost tribe of Judah”, apparently Ethiopian descendants with Hebrew heritage. There is also a monument set up in a square in Addis Ababa called the “Lion of Judah”. The Greek Orthodox and Coptic churches both exist in the area around Addis, indicating a long-standing traditional connection to Christianity.
But not all people in Ethiopia have heard about Jesus, particularly in their own language. That’s why several of us from the Africa by Radio Steering committee were in Addis Ababa, to meet with church leaders and media practitioners to explore the progress of Christian radio broadcasts to the peoples of the horn of Africa. There are a number of broadcasts in the Amharic and Oromo languages, but several remain untouched. Africa by Radio seeks to encourage the churches to work together to use the tool of radio to reach into these more remote tribes effectively. The local representatives who met with us agreed to further coordinate the broadcasts coming via shortwave (local broadcasts not permitted) and develop programs in other languages. Please pray for their discussions that it will help make the broadcasts more effective.
I’m leaving next week for Mozambique to meet with the Feba Mozambique board. Please pray for this important visit as I work with the board to set the direction for ministry in Mozambique and determine what the next steps for ministry in the northern part of the country will be.
Filed under: Africa by Radio, Ethiopia, Feba Radio Tagged: | Africa by Radio, coffee, Ethiopia
Great Article! My prayers are with you, FEBA, Ethiopia and Mozambique, that God will provide the people, know-how and His Word to people groups whose hearts He has prepared to receive and accept the Good News.
Sharon Taylor