The Early Days

“The Ethiopian Mission of BCMS began in 1934. The vision was to revitalise the 1600-year old Orthodox Church, that it might be effective in evangelising Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. At that time 30% of the population was Orthodox, 30% Muslim, and the rest largely pagan. Evangelical churches made up just 1% .

Later, Mr and Mrs Alfred B Buxton settled at Addis Ababa and established a Bible School. The work grew steadily until there were 37 students. So began a tradition of Bible teaching which has characterised the work in Ethiopia ever since. Buxton also pioneered the production of Christian literature, with missionaries becoming involved in translating the New Testament into Amharic and producing booklets. 

In 1937 all the native workers were imprisoned by the Italians, and the missionaries expelled.

Post-war 

When missionaries returned in 1947, they worked on a new translation of the Bible authorised by Emperor Haile Selassie. Printed in 1961, this remains the best-known Amharic translation of the Bible today.

The team undertook many other literature projects including magazines, a guide to family prayers and a translation of Pilgrim’s Progress. They were also involved in Pillar Books, 48 pocket books on the Old and New Testaments, Christian doctrine and living. Doris Benson in particular dedicated herself to producing Bible studies, storybooks, evangelical hymns, and children’s Bible-story books.

Pre-revolution 

With the Communist revolution, things became more and more restricted. Yet a research project on Christian literature in Ethiopia resulted in the production of an Amharic Bible Dictionary. Also a church students course on Christian Living has become a correspondence course used by many groups, one making 500 copies for their programme.

Crosslinks magazine Oct 2005 index