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Dear the Western Ethiopia Union Mission of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church members,
It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved pastor, Pastor Niftalem Lencha, who left us on 18 February 2025.
He was a dedicated pastor and an integral part of our organization, contributing his knowledge in the expanding the gospel of the Lord when there were no transportation entire the Western Ethiopia Union Mission territory. Pastor Niftalem was among the first 10 baptized church members, the first pioneer, the first Evangelist, the first Pastor, the first department director and the first president of the former West Ethiopia Field . Countless moments were passed that we heard and shared from the mouth of our father.
Pastor Niftalem, will be remembered not only for his professional excellence but also for dedicated services in the gospel ministries and his unwavering kindness for the community. His absence leaves a void in our church and our hearts.
During this difficult time, we encourage the family of Pastor Niftalem, the entire members of our church, West Ethiopia Conference families in the country and abroad, and the community of Gimbie town.
The funeral ceremony was held on 19 February 2025 at Gimbie Seventh-Day Adventist Church, in the presence of the family, relatives, friends, Gimbie Seventh-day Adventist Church members and Gimbie town community.
With heartfelt sympathy
I had the unique blessing of attending the Gimbi Seventh Day Adventist Church in my formative years under the pastoral service, among other pastors, of Pastor Nephtalem. I also had the equally unique privilege of attending the Wollega Adventist Academy (though only for 1 year). Glory to The Almighty God for the immeasurable excellent work & invaluable investments that the SDA Church has made & continues to make in the spreading of the Gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ, for the education of many and, by the consequences, the development of society. I am grateful for the life and example that Pastor Nephtalem lived and modelled. He displayed the covenantal integrity that Matthew 24:13 (“but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved”) & Matthew 5:8 (“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”) call for. I remain convinced that Pastor Nephtalem’s blessed children will carry the message of the gospel forward. May the hundreds of thousands that have been touched through the chain of custody of Pastor Nephtalem’s pastoral work be upheld to the end (Matthew 25:13) by The Holy Spirit so that they, too, will be found in peace with our LORD Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:14)