“Petros Network is walking through one of the most fruitful seasons we’ve ever seen. Thousands are finding Jesus. Whole communities are experiencing transformation. And through it all, we are standing in the middle of God’s will—completely in awe.”
RAY & LINDA NOAH, CO-FOUNDERS
Journey into Ethiopia’s Remote Regions
We just returned from Ethiopia, where we were able to travel to every one of our mission points. It was a powerful trip, though not without risk. As you know, we go to difficult, often unstable regions. Tribal tensions can surface without warning, so we’re always alert, always praying.
But what we experienced in one small village left us speechless.
Discovering the Abore Tribe
After a long, bumpy seven-hour drive into southern Ethiopia, we arrived in the land of the Abore tribe. The Joshua Project reports that only 1.67% of this tribe knows Jesus, and we weren’t sure if we would even be welcomed there. Life is simple and rugged. Families live in huts made of mud and sticks. Children run barefoot, unclothed, but still their laughter rises through the dust as they play as all children do. From our view, this is a place that feels forgotten by the world—but not by God.
The Abore people hold tightly to their traditional beliefs. We brought along bars of soap to give away, hoping to receive a warm welcome. When we asked the village chief how they worship, he explained that villagers bring him a goat to sacrifice. He slaughters it and offers it to the “sky god.” There was no understanding of Jesus. No knowledge of grace.
Our hearts felt so heavy.
Pictured above: A group of boys from the Abore tribe.
A Divine Surprise
We quietly began to pray as we walked—asking God to open a door. Then, almost in passing, our national leader turned and said, “Let’s go meet the Petros Network Church Planter.”
We stopped in our tracks.
We knew we had sent someone into this region, but we had no idea one of our indigenous leaders was working in this exact village.
And then we met her.
Pictured above: Petros Network church planter Jatani holding up her church planter ID card in front of her humble home.
Meet Jatani: A Mighty Woman of Faith
Jatani is 24 years old. Soft-spoken. Petite. Gentle. We looked at her and wondered—how can someone so young, so seemingly fragile, be making a difference in such a hard place?
But as we listened to her speak, we realized she carried something mighty: faith, courage, and a deep love for Jesus.
She invited us to visit her church, so we followed her. About 300 feet away, there it was—a church building. A sacred space she had planted. She told us that every Sunday, it overflows with people. She’s even started a women’s empowerment program with 50 women and is discipling them through Bible storytelling—sharing Scripture in a way that’s clear and easy to understand.
Pictured above: Jatani’s church plant among the Abore tribe gathers in this simple structure. Not all church plants have a physical building where they gather.
A Miracle That Changed Everything
And then she shared something that brought tears to our eyes.
One of the village elders had been bedridden for months. No medicine could help. No traditional healer had any answers. So, she and some members of the church gathered around him and prayed. Within days, he stood up and walked. Now he attends church every week and gives glory to Jesus.
This is the Gospel at work—bringing healing, salvation, and hope where there once was none.
Pictured above: Linda sitting with the village elders.
Join the Story
Stories like Jatani’s are happening across the globe through Petros Network. Young leaders are rising up, churches are being planted, and communities are being transformed. But there’s still so much work to be done.
Your prayers, your generosity, and your belief in this mission can launch hope in the most unlikely places. You can help raise up local leaders who are planting churches, launching women into purpose, and ushering in real, lasting change.
Will you join us? Would you take a moment to pray for this young church planter and the Abore village today? And if you feel led, your gift helps equip more leaders like her—bringing the hope of Jesus to the most forgotten places on earth.
Whether through giving, praying, or standing with us in spirit—your partnership can make an eternal difference in places the world has forgotten, but God never has.
AUTHORS
Ray and Linda Noah
Petros Network Co-Founders
