Gidada Theological College
Preparing Pastors and Evangelists
Gidada Theological College (GTC) prepares evangelists and pastors for service to God within the rapidly growing churches in the Western Wollega Bethel Synod. In this quickly changing environment, it is imperative that men and women be trained for the ministry to which God calls.
GTC fulfills that role and more. In recent years it has grown from a 2-year certificate program to a 4-year diploma program.
GTC fulfills that role and more. In recent years it has grown from a 2-year certificate program to a 4-year diploma program.
Today:
Today, sixty-six men and women are enrolled, training as evangelists and church leaders in preparation to serve in their communities and congregations.
Since Western Wollega Bethel Synod currently employs 286 ministers (161 ordained pastors and 125 trained evangelists), it is likely that most are basically the result of the work of Gidada Theological College.
Today, sixty-six men and women are enrolled, training as evangelists and church leaders in preparation to serve in their communities and congregations.
Since Western Wollega Bethel Synod currently employs 286 ministers (161 ordained pastors and 125 trained evangelists), it is likely that most are basically the result of the work of Gidada Theological College.
Rev. Gizaw Dina, Director of GTC, in front of the college's library
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Classroom building and some of the students at Gidada Theological College
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Blind Gidada Solon, Evangelist
History:
Gidada Solon, an Ethiopian evangelist, is the inspiration for Gidada Theological College. Beginning in 1924 and in spite of his blindness, which was the result of smallpox, Gidada (along with other evangelists) traveled throughout Western Ethiopia teaching, preaching, and planting churches in many villages. [For a brief biography of Gidada Solon, click here.]
With the collapse of Ethiopia’s communist Derg Regime (1974-1991), a revival of Christian faith in the Western Wollega Province, and the need for pastors and lay leaders in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), Gidada Bible School was established in 1993. In the beginning, it offered a two-year curriculum, continuing education opportunities for church leaders, and a lay leadership training program.
In 2012, the WWBS Council (the second-highest decision-making body) decided that Gidada Bible School be upgraded to a four-year program, changing its name to Gidada Theological College.
Gidada Solon, an Ethiopian evangelist, is the inspiration for Gidada Theological College. Beginning in 1924 and in spite of his blindness, which was the result of smallpox, Gidada (along with other evangelists) traveled throughout Western Ethiopia teaching, preaching, and planting churches in many villages. [For a brief biography of Gidada Solon, click here.]
With the collapse of Ethiopia’s communist Derg Regime (1974-1991), a revival of Christian faith in the Western Wollega Province, and the need for pastors and lay leaders in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), Gidada Bible School was established in 1993. In the beginning, it offered a two-year curriculum, continuing education opportunities for church leaders, and a lay leadership training program.
In 2012, the WWBS Council (the second-highest decision-making body) decided that Gidada Bible School be upgraded to a four-year program, changing its name to Gidada Theological College.