Addis Kidan Lutheran Church pastor to be guest speaker at '2023 Multiethnic Symposium'

Rev. Dr. Tesfai Tesema, the pastor of Addis Kidan Lutheran Church, will be one of the plenary speakers for the 2023 Multiethnic Symposium. (Photo by Kevin Gonzalez from Unsplash)

Rev. Dr. Tesfai Tesema, the pastor of Addis Kidan Lutheran Church in San Francisco will be one of the plenary speakers for the 2023 Multiethnic Symposium that will be held at the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL) from Tuesday to Wednesday, May 2 to 3.

According to the Reporter, attendees will delve into the difficulties faced by 1.5 and 2.0 generation individuals and celebrate their valuable contributions to the church's present and future. 

Aside from Tesema, the event will feature Rev. Dr. Joel Okamoto and Mary Griesbach, the Professor of Systematic Theology at CSL.

About Rev. Dr. Tesfai Tesema

Tesema is originally from Ethiopia and converted to Christianity while in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after being introduced to the religion by a Chinese Christian man. 

Tesema and his wife Abby, who also became a Christian, got married in a secret church in Jeddah. 

Unfortunately, their religious beliefs resulted in Abby's imprisonment, and the couple was eventually deported to Sudan. 

Despite this setback, they successfully established the first-ever Ethiopian Protestant Church in Khartoum.

Their efforts led to the establishment of several other churches across various cities in Sudan. Their success is attributed to the grace of God.

In 1984, Tesema and Abby relocated to the United States with their son Abel. 

Currently, the couple resides in San Francisco, where Tesema serves as the Senior Pastor of the Addis Kidan Ethiopian and Eritrean Church.

Tesema earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Missiology from Concordia Seminary Fort Wayne. 

His doctoral thesis explores the challenges faced by Ethiopians and Eritreans of the 1.5 and 2nd generations as they try to integrate into American society. 

As an expert on topics such as discipleship, missions, and multiculturalism, Tesema frequently speaks and teaches on these issues, along with second-generation immigrant church planting.

He also coaches leaders from both the first and second generations of the church.

He also wrote a book that explores the potential of second-generation immigrants in revitalizing Christianity in Western countries. 

Symposium

CSL  believes that the word "generation" holds great significance in the Bible.

From the very beginning, God has been creating and gathering a community of believers whom He cherishes. 

Through the ages, CSL stated that His love and faithfulness have persisted, and parents have been called upon to pass on the story of salvation to their children. 

However, when families move from one country to another, CSL stated that it could be challenging to share God's message across generations and to the wider world. 

Despite the difficulties, it’s a wonder if there is still hope for the church, both in the present and the future.

According to CSL, over 25% of the United States population consists of first-generation foreign-born immigrants and their children, known as the 1.5 and 2.0 generations. 

However, behind these numbers are real people with unique experiences and challenges. 

The 2023 Multiethnic Symposium aims to provide plenaries and sectionals that will help attendees gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by these generations and appreciate their contributions to the church. 

According to CSL, this understanding is essential for the continued growth and development of the church for years to come.

 

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