The Church

Introduction

African Indigenous Churches (AICs), also known as African Independent Churches, are Churches founded in Africa. Since then, the emergence of these new Churches has ever since become rampant in other countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a large number of followers. In fact, today, the African Independent Churches have grown to the extent that some identify themselves as Pentecostal Churches, Praying Churches, Prophetic Movements Churches, etc. They have become a force to reckon with in terms of propagating the holistic gospel of Jesus Christ in Africa and in the whole world. One of these churches that has ga reat impact on society is Empowering Gospel Church.

History and Establishment of the Church

In pursuant to the Great Mission of our Lord Jesus Christ, written in Mat. 28:18-20, The founder hereby established this Church with the purpose to make the Gospel reach the people of our country, our continent and the world.

The Church, which is the product of the ministry of Man of God, Pastor Marco James Dak Koang and Co-worker late Apostle Michael Maluth Tut, was founded in Ethiopia,Gambella region in Itang town in July, 2003. It was originally named as Bezildit under Evangelical Covenant Church in Ethiopia. Many years later, the church locally operates by itself as Bezildit Gospel International Church. (Here, I am trying to acknowledge the period we have spent independently out of Covenant Church.)

In 2016, the Church was in plan to have its own license which subjected the institution known to FDRE; however, the name [Bezildit] was found to be Nuer dialect which is unrecognizable, and hence the name was translated and licensed as Empowering Gospel Church in accordance with the freedom of association and religion enshrined in the FDRE Constitution and the provisions of Proclamation No. 916/2016.

It has been helping a people for many years through preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ and bringing the presence of God into the midst of congregation through the work of Holy Spirit. Now it is operating in both Ethiopia and South Sudan with 27 local Churches, headquarter in Gambella region in Ethiopia.

Empowering Gospel Church was also registered in the State of Tennessee in North America on September 26th, 2024.

Name and Logo of the Church

The religious institution known as Empowering Gospel Church is named so being initiated by verse: Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and the end of the earth.”

A logo of the church is circular with the text “Empowering Gospel Church.”

Meaning of the Logo

• World map: To represent the idea that the Gospel does not have any limitation and is indispensable, it should reach all peoples of the world.
• Cross: The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should be revealed to the people of the world, and those people should believe in this act of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a redemption plan for all of us.
• Holy Bible: This is to show that Jesus is the Savior and that there is no other way to know and accept Jesus, only through His word.
• Dove: This symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s function in the Church.

Objective of the Church

• To produce generations that are useful to the country, the church, and themselves;
• To enable people who believe in the Gospel and are redeemed to become the disciples of Christ and dispatch them for service;
• To facilitate conditions so that people serving the church get education and training to render them competent in their service;
• To open theological colleges.
• To open orphanage School and supporting them.
• To Plant Churches in every villages in South Sudan and Ethiopia and of other parts of the world for sake of winning them to Christ.
• Trauma healing
• Widow and vulnerable charities
• Agriculture