The Oromo Christian Fellowship held its 6th Anniversary Conference
No time has it happened in our history that as many church members come to the opening of our conference as on Fridays. Nov. 14, 2008. Over eighty people attended the opening of the 6th Year Anniversary Conference of the Oromo Christian Fellowship (OCF) at 3101 Univ. Blvd. Kensington, MD 20895. It is a big number for a congregation of 110 baptized members.
On 11/15/08 Saturday the church was full. 150 people gathered both OCF members, invited guests form the Oromo Community of Washington DC. Pastor Gemechisa Guja and many members of Lancaster Oromo Church PA were among the participants. Our heartfelt thanks goes to these people who drove for more than two hours to accompany us on our conference. Mrs. Adise Botcho the sitting Treasurer of United Oromo Evangelical Churches also participated on this conference with us. Members of the Spring of Life (Burqaa Jireenya) Pentecostal church are among the participants from the Washington Metropolitan area.
Pastor Amenti Theophilos of the Lamb and Lion Fellowship (Tokkummaa Warra Hoolaatii fi Leencaa) of Minneapolis and Pastor Wase Lema a pastor from the Mekane Yesus Church in Cary, NC brought the Word of God. Ms. Chaltu Tolla of Lancaster Oromo Church was our solo singer.
The theme of the conference was "Be strong and courageous, …The Lord himself will go with you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged!" Deut. 31:7-8. The aim of the conference was to strengthen and affirm the faith of OCF members and other participants. Other topics that were designed to augment the message of the theme were “Grow towards Christ (Eph. 4:14-16), “I have learnt the secret of being content” (Phil. 4:12), “Jesus Christ our message!” 1 Cor. 1:18-25. Finally the congregation was given a message to stretch out to the future forgetting what has passed Phil. 3:12-15.
One of the most important events was when the OCF Choir stood up in front of the c
ongregation for the first time in nine months. That confirmed the rise of OCF by the power of God. Many people wept tears of joy and gratitude. The choir opened their song books those had the churches’ logo on them as the congregation stood to receive them. The congregation just bought overhead projector and screen to use at worship services. We felt a lot of energy moving among us. People were enthusiastic than ever. We are very thankful to God our Father. All the members took part in preparing food, cleaning and organization.
We are so thankful to God that let us tell this good news!
The Oromo Christian Fellowship
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