Serving God in Canada

Ezra Mulu's grandfather was a wealthy, powerful man in his village in Ethiopia. When a church began in the village, his interest was piqued. He knew people would be afraid that he was looking for slaves if he attended, and so he disguised himself. Listening quietly to the teaching, he liked what he heard. At the end of the service, he threw off his disguise and declared that he wanted to become a Christian. He became an active member of the church, and his family followed his example and became Christians.

Growing up in a Christian family, Ezra learned about God from a young age. In spite of rebelling against the church as a youth, he always had a sense of a loving God. In the late 1990s, war broke out in Ethiopia, and Ezra fled to Kenya with his siblings. Two years later, they immigrated to Canada and Ezra began attending church again. Ezra points to one Sunday as a changing point in his life - the Sunday that a visiting pastor, Kassa Lemma, preached about God's call on one's life. Much to Ezra's surprise, he discovered that he had attended the same church as Pastor Kassa in Ethiopia. Wanting to stay in touch, Ezra and Kassa exchanged contact information.

Ezra was studying medical physics at Ryerson University in Toronto. Canada was beginning to feel like home when a call from his sister shook him up. "How are you serving God in Canada?" she asked. He did not know how to respond.

A few days later, while Ezra was still reflecting on this question, Pastor Kassa called. He shared his vision of beginning a church that would respond to the spiritual and physical needs of Ethiopian and Eritrean newomers to Canada. Again Ezra was asked, "How are you serving God in Canada?" Pastor Kassa invited Ezra to join him in fulfilling the vision God had given him. "How could I say no?" was Ezra's response.

Ezra is now part of the leadership team at Rehoboth Evangelial Church, the church plant that grew out of Pastor Kassa's vision. Pastor Kassa, Ezra, Abara and Awoke work together to give leadership to this fledgling ministry. Ezra plays guitar and keyboard as he leads worship. He works alongside Abara welcoming around 20 kids who come once a week to play soccer in the church gym. Ezra also leads a Bible study for new Christians. Rehoboth Evangelical Church is a new, growing congregation in MCEC, and enthusiasm for being part of building God's kingdom is evident in people like Ezra Mulu.