From September 14–25, 2026, EGST’s Community Engagement Programme, through the Church Leaders Capacity Building Project (CLTP), in partnership with Petra Institute, conducted a two-week Facilitators Training at Kuriftu Kalehiwot, Bishoftu. The training focused on “Serving God Together” and “Entering into the World of Children.”
The training brought together EGST students, alumni, staff, and selected experts from CDTRC to strengthen a pool of capable facilitators who can contribute to EGST’s growing community engagement initiatives. In addition to developing participants’ knowledge and skills, the training aimed to establish a sustainable pool of training facilitators that EGST can draw upon for future training, capacity-building, church engagement, and experiential learning activities across different contexts.
Facilitated by Dr. Juan Muller, Mrs. Liza, and Mrs. Meriam from Petra Institute, the training explored what it means to serve God and the church together, enter the world of children and families with the attitude of Jesus, and strengthen intergenerational relationships. Participants reflected on intergenerational ministry as an important foundation for transferring faith across generations, strengthening families, and building healthy relationships within churches and communities.
Dr. Juan, Mrs. Liza, and Mrs. Meriam, who tirelessly facilitated the training, shared generously not only their knowledge and skills but also their hearts, passion, humility, and commitment with the entire training team. Through biblical reflection, experiential learning, peer facilitation, practical workshops, and reflective sessions, participants described the training as eye-opening, practical, and deeply impactful. A key feature of the training was the opportunity for participants to apply their learning in real ministry contexts by facilitating workshops in three different churches. This practical component strengthened their confidence and competence as facilitators while providing valuable experience that can be further utilized through EGST’s Community Engagement Programme.
Beyond the immediate outcomes of the training, the two-week training programme marked an important milestone in strengthening the institutional partnership between EGST and Petra Institute. The collaboration has created a valuable platform for both institutions to share expertise, strengthen the capacity of EGST facilitators’ pool, learn from one another’s experience, and identify opportunities for continued areas of collaboration on training, research, resource development, and community engagement. More importantly, it lays a strong foundation for a sustained partnership that can contribute to strengthening churches, nurturing families, and promoting the flourishing of communities.
The two-week journey concluded with deep gratitude, renewed inspiration, and a shared sense of commitment among participants. The training participants returned with strengthened knowledge, practical skills, and a renewed commitment to serve God by strengthening families, equipping churches, and contributing to the flourishing of communities. The experience has therefore been more than a training programme; it has been an important step toward building a community of practice and a lasting partnership committed to transformative ministry and service.
We seek to subject our thoughts and actions to God’s Word and affirm the power of Scripture to effect change in individual lives, churches and society.
We come together as a community of learners not for our sake only but also for the sake of others. We seek to grow in our understanding of God and his ways, so that we may help others to acknowledge his governance over the world with its rich possibilities for both individual transformation and for social and cultural renewal.
We believe that theological education speaks to and out of its local context as a dynamic interaction between the local context, the global context and Scripture.
We strongly believe that unity among the churches of Ethiopia is important and can be fostered through cooperative, inter-denominational graduate-level theological education. We also seek to partner with individuals, institutions, churches and organizations within and outside Ethiopia.
We value learning alongside people from different traditions and churches. Exposure to varying traditions challenges thinking about God and the diversity of his work in the world. While EGST promotes unity, it also appreciates and respects diversity.
We value the importance of worshipping God with our minds and strive for excellence both in our rigorous study of Scripture and in our critical analysis of context.
We seek to be people who model Christ’s values such as love, humility, compassion, justice, integrity, self-control, and holiness.
We seek to promote ecumenical relationships among churches in Ethiopia in order to enhance mutual understanding.
