The Unholy Battle for Ethiopia’s University Fellowships

Naol Befkadu Kebede

For decades, campus Christian fellowships in Ethiopia have been a refuge for students who seek spiritual growth, community, and purpose. These fellowships, which proliferated ever since the 1960s and 70s, have shaped countless lives, while helping students navigate the challenges of university life while deepening their faith. I remember my own experience at Tikur Anbessa Hospital Evangelical Students’ Fellowship as we used to gather at Lideta Mekane Yesus church every Friday after exhausting lectures or ward rounds, worshipping together, sharing burdens, and encouraging one another in our faith. For many of us, these fellowships weren’t just weekly meetings; they were our family away from home. But in recent years, something troubling has been happening. Instead of working together, some ministries are competing to claim ownership over these fellowships, and it’s hurting the very students they’re meant to serve.

In Ethiopia, various para-fellowship ministries have emerged over the years to support campus fellowships. Organizations like Great Commission Ministry Ethiopia (an offshoot of Cru), Evangelical Students’ and Graduates’ Union of Ethiopia (EvaSUE), Fellowship of Oromo Christian University Students (FOCUS), and Scripture Union have played a major role in disciplining students, training leaders, and organizing national conferences. They provided mentorship, materials, and a sense of belonging that helped fellowships thrive. We’ve seen similar ministries supporting campus movements globally such as InterVarsity in the U.S., The Navigators in the U.K., and IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), which works across multiple countries. The best of these organizations have one thing in common: they serve, not control. Sadly, in Ethiopia, that spirit of service has been clouded by unhealthy competition.

Instead of collaboration, ministries have started to act like rivals. EvaSUE, historically the leading organization, has often treated campus fellowships as if they belong exclusively to it. This has caused friction with Great Commission Ethiopia, which also seeks to engage students in discipleship and evangelism. A recent example of this happened at Bahir Dar University, where EvaSUE staff reportedly blocked Great Commission Ethiopia from engaging with fellowship leaders. The situation escalated, and in response, Great Commission Ethiopia started its own campus fellowship. But this was not an isolated case. Similar incidents have been reported in other universities, including Addis Ababa University, Hawassa University, and Jimma University, where EvaSUE staff allegedly discouraged or outright prevented Great Commission representatives from working with student leaders. In some cases, EvaSUE leaders have even instructed students not to attend events organized by Great Commission, claiming that they alone have the mandate to oversee campus fellowships. The result? Division. Instead of students growing together in faith, they are being caught in the middle of an organizational power struggle that serves neither their spiritual needs nor the mission of the gospel. What should be a unified movement of Christian students has, in some places, turned into a battleground for influence and control.

Why is this happening? One reason is the belief that EvaSUE “owns” the fellowships. But let’s be clear: students don’t belong to EvaSUE, Great Commission, or any other ministry. They belong first to Christ, and their spiritual growth is nurtured through their local churches. Their time in university is temporary, and their participation in campus fellowships is meant to strengthen them, not tie them to one organization’s control. Another reason is competition for influence and funding. Organizations that can claim ownership over large fellowships often have better access to donor funding and recognition. But should money and reputation come before the unity of the body of Christ? Lastly, theological and methodological differences have fueled divisions, where instead of appreciating different approaches to ministry, organizations have allowed them to become barriers to cooperation.

This isn’t just an Ethiopian problem. Similar struggles have been seen worldwide. In Kenya, divisions once arose between Student Christian Fellowship (SCF) and Focus Kenya, creating unnecessary barriers. In Nigeria, Christian fellowships on university campuses faced similar territorial conflicts between different denominational student movements. But in places where ministries have put unity first, such as in South Korea’s UBF (University Bible Fellowship), collaboration has led to greater impact and a stronger witness.

So, what’s the solution to this unholy feud? Here, I’ll outline three practical ways forward that can help bring an end to the division and restore the unity we desperately need.

1. The Ethiopian Evangelical Churches’ Council Should Oversee Campus Fellowships

The first step in solving the current crisis is to have a governing body that represents the collective interests of all evangelical ministries overseeing campus fellowships. I propose The Ethiopian Evangelical Churches’ Council (EECC), as the umbrella organization for evangelical churches in Ethiopia, as an ideally positioned entity to take on this responsibility. If the EECC steps in, it can ensure that no single ministry claims exclusive rights to campus fellowships. This would prevent ministries from treating fellowships as territories to control, as we have seen with the rivalry between EvaSUE and Great Commission Ethiopia. It is my strong opinion that the EECC or even ECFE’s involvement would help establish clear guidelines that all ministries must adhere to.

I speak from experience as someone who, during my time as a campus student, recognized the lack of a fellowship that met the unique needs of Christian medical students. EvaSUE’s approach didn’t resonate with us, and we needed a space that specifically addressed our academic pressures and professional aspirations while still nurturing our faith. So, I took the initiative to start the union of Christian medical students in Ethiopia, one that was free from the constraints of larger ministries (though it wasn’t realized because of the pressure from ministries who think they own the campus fellowships). Such movements can have room if a body like the EECC are in place to provide oversight and facilitate the collaboration between various ministries, ensuring that students can freely participate in the fellowship that best supported their spiritual and academic growth.

2. Rediscovering Mutual Respect and Love

The second solution revolves around fostering a spirit of mutual respect and love between ministries. Jesus’ command in John 13:35 is clear: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This should be the foundation of any Christian ministry, particularly when we work together to reach students. Too often, ministries allow theological differences or competition for influence to overshadow the core purpose of their mission—making disciples and spreading the gospel.

In Ethiopia, where Christian unity is already a challenge due to diverse denominational backgrounds, it is crucial that ministries learn to prioritize collaboration over competition. When I was involved in the leadership of a fellowship for Christian medical students, we were not concerned about who would “own” the fellowship; we were driven by the need to provide a space for like-minded students to grow in faith. The Ethiopian context makes it even more important for ministries to set aside their egos and theological differences for the sake of unity. Sadly, though they have contributed massively for the growth and strengthening of campus fellowships over the years, I have also witnessed firsthand how EvaSUE’s rigid control over campus fellowships stifled the spirit of collaboration, as their staff was unwilling to allow room for new ideas or ministries to emerge. Ministries must be able to appreciate each other’s strengths and work together, respecting each other’s contributions without trying to dominate.

3. The Harvest Is Plentiful—Focus on the Unreached

The third solution calls for a shift in focus. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Instead of ministries fighting over students who are already involved in campus fellowships, the focus should be on the thousands of students who have not yet been reached. Ethiopia’s university campuses are filled with young people who have never heard the gospel or do not have a personal relationship with Christ. These are the students who need our attention.

In my experience, many of the ministries in Ethiopia are focused on reaching the same group of students, while ignoring those who remain untouched by the gospel. The university campuses are vast, and the number of students who still need to hear about Christ far outweighs the number of active believers. We need to create space for new ministries to emerge—ministries that focus on the unreached rather than duplicating efforts. Ministries should be looking for these gaps—whether it’s medical students, engineering students, or those in rural universities—and finding creative ways to evangelize and disciple those who have not yet encountered Christ. Only by focusing on the unreached will we be able to expand the kingdom of God and truly make an impact.

In conclusion, I look back at my own campus fellowship experience with gratitude. It was a place where my faith was strengthened, where I met lifelong friends, and where I learned the importance of serving God. That’s what campus fellowships should be about. But today, instead of being united, ministries are fighting over them. This needs to stop. These fellowships belong to Christ—not to EvaSUE, not to Great Commission, not to any organization. If we truly want to see students thrive spiritually, we must let go of control, embrace unity, and work together for the sake of the gospel.