2009 © Oromo Evangelical Luheran Church in Portland

About US

The Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church began with seven members in the fall of 1999. Many had roots in the Mekane Yesus Church of Ethiopia which had been started by Lutheran missionaries, mostly from Europe. As their numbers grew they asked and received permission to worship on Sunday afternoons at St. Philips the Deacon, Episcopal Church. Early contact was made with the North West District office but was not pursued by the congregation or the District.

The Oromo People are from central and southern Ethiopia. At 36 million they are the second largest language group in Africa. Because of political problem in Ethiopia with the Marxist regime and later, the war with Eritrea and internal problems, many Oromo people have immigrated to Europe and America. In the Portland metro region it is estimated that there are 9,000 – 10,000 Oromo speaking people. Since Ethiopia is one of the few nations in Africa that was not colonized, the Oromo people were not forced to learn English or French as were other Africans. As a result many will need to continue to worship in the Oromo language and will not be able to worship with English speaking congregations.

Through the efforts of the immigrants occasional visiting Oromo pastors, congregations have been started in Berlin, Germany, Norway, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Columbus, Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland and other places.

In 2000 board Lutheran Inner-City Ministries, agreement with the district, permitted African groups to use the Center at Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD at no cost. During one of the meetings contact was made between Haro Galgalo, one of the lay ministers of the Oromo Congregation and Pastor Robert Schmidt, a former missionary to Africa. The congregation wanted to know if they might use the Lutheran Center for worship. The congregation felt that if they could worship on Sunday morning their attendance would be much better. After an extended time and negotiation with the L1-CM board the Oromo congregation began worshiping in May of 2002.

When the Congregation began worshipping there were 35- 40 in attendances. There are about 115 regular attendants. Since music is a big part of the worship: there are two worship leading groups, one choir and several solo singers. Bible study is another important part of the worship and the congregation meets both in church building and at home around metro area. The Congregation also consist youth program and Sunday school.

1244 NE 39th Ave
Portland OR, 97232

Tel. 503-442-3684