Addis Ababa Mekane Yesus Choir

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History and ministry

From Launhardt (2004), Evangelicals:

“[p. 212] The congregation at Wolete Yohannis Street for many years was the only known and registered Ethiopian Evangelical Mekane Yesus church in Addis Ababa. Evangelical believers visiting the capital or settling there attended the Sunday services.”

The [senior] pastors of the congregation at the present compound included:

Rev Karl Cederqvist (preached on Sundays 1913–19 †)
Rev Olle Eriksson (served 1919–22)
Qes Gebre-Sillassé Tesfa Gaber (1922–32 †)
Rev Nils Nilsson (1932–36)
[Waldensian army chaplain, Captain Bertinatti, preached in Italian from 1936–41]
Qes Badima Yalew (1941–66)
Qes Taye Wolde Sellassie (1966–?)

From Dawit Yohannes Wario (2008), Factors:

“[p. 43] In 1945, a man by name Habte-Ab Wolde Mariam was given the mandate to train the young people in music and singing. This was the beginning of choir ministry. A committee which oversees music ministry was formed, to strengthen and expand of music ministry.

The committee went public and presented different songs at the then Haile Selassie I Theatre and even to the palace of the Emperor for which “the [p. 44] Emperor presented to the choir a financial gift of about thirty thousand Birr.” [Source: Enaat Mekane Yesus 100th anniversary of Evangelistic Work (1904-2004, p. 44] The music committee has been directing different choirs (group of singers) formed in the congregation and presenting a yearly festival since its commencement.

Music and songs have a power to attract youth to churches. Therefore, nowadays almost half of the young people in the congregation are attracted to it due to the inspirational and life changing songs they often hear.”

Gospel musicians affiliated with the congregation’s choirs: