FACTORS AFFECTING EVANGELIZATION OF GARRE MUSLIMS IN MOYALE, ETHIOPIA:

Abstract

The Garre community is one of the Ethiopian Somali people who live in Moyale, Ethiopia. Since the gospel reached the area in 1929, the Garre Muslims have not been impacted by it; as a result, the number of Muslims is growing rapidly in the Moyale area. There are about fourteen churches in Moyale, yet they have not effectively influenced the Garre Muslims with the gospel. This study is designed to investigate the factors affecting the evangelization of Garre Muslims in Moyale, Ethiopia. Specifically, the study examines two churches, namely, Moyale Kale Heywet and Yehiwot Berhan church to investigate the affecting factors. The study uses a qualitative research method to come up with appropriate findings. Data was collected using interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed accordingly. The literature review sought to discuss different scholars’ views and ideas on Muslim evangelization issues. The researcher interacted with different materials to examine scholars’ views on the factors that hinder effective Muslim evangelism. The aim of this is to achieve a more in-depth and broader understanding of how various scholars approach the topic and also to identify the knowledge gap that exists on the same. Through the findings of this research, it has been established that the factors affecting the evangelization of Garre Muslims are lack of training, lack of finances, lack of unity of Evangelical churches, violence from Muslims, and a lack of strategical mission, which can help to reach the Garre Muslims. This study also uncovers the missiological implication for the Garre Muslims in the area. The findings also demonstrate that to reach out to the Garre Muslims, it is important to use contextualization, rendering holistic ministries. Churches should boost missionaries’ understanding about Muslim evangelism through giving training and supporting missionaries.