Theodors (Teddy) Workeneh

New American of the Month

Teddy was born and raised in Ethiopia, East Africa and was baptized as a member of the Coptic Church of Ethiopia. His spiritual journey began with that church body and as an Orthodox believer, actively participated in their Bible School program. As such, he was well on his way to becoming a deacon, and perhaps a priest. On the evening of June 15, 1994, during a house prayer meeting however, he experienced what he can only describe as a very strong presence of the Holy Spirit. Thereafter, his life was forever changed.

Subsequently, Teddy became involved in a movement of spiritual renewal within the Coptic Church, but when this came to the attention of the church authorities, he was given the choice of leaving the renewal movement, or leaving the church body. Shortly thereafter, he left the Coptic Church and subsequently became a member, and later an ordained Pastor, of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekana Yesus (the Lutheran Church in Ethiopia). Interestingly, this large and rapidly growing denomination is now giving consideration to the possibility of becoming a Partner Church with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

A holder of a Bachelor of Theology degree from the Evangelical Theological College of Ethiopia, Teddy enrolled in the Addis Ababa University and in 2008 was granted an M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology. The focus of his thesis was the “Trafficking of Women and Children for Sexual Exploitation”, a subject which still causes him deep concern.

Currently, Teddy is an STM student at Concordia Seminary with the intention of undertaking PhD studies there as well. He also serves with CFNA as their East African Facilitator. His primary responsibility is working with New American students from East Africa enrolled in the CFNA scholarship assistance program. During the past few months however, Teddy has also provided significant assistance with the recruitment of East African New Americans for participation in the Health and Wellness Screening and After School Tutoring ministries.

Please join us in welcoming Teddy, his wife Aynalem (Ayni) Tadesse and his son Kibur Bezabih to St. Louis and to CFNA.

From information provided by Rev. Teddy Workeneh