ስለ እኛ Our Story & Mission

Who We Are

Name: Knowing God — EUCMD Young Adults Regional Gathering
Location: Emmanuel United Church of Maryland

"Wholistic Development for Wholistic Mission" (ሁለንተናዊ ዕድገት ለሁለንተናዊ ተልዕኮ) — Raising up mature disciples of Jesus Christ who transform families, cities, and nations.

Emmanuel United Church Silver Spring Campus Prayer & Worship

Welcome Home

Silver Spring, MD Campus

10:30 AM

Worship & Praise Live Sanctuary Band

Traditional Ethiopian Kebero Praise Celebration

Traditional Praise Kebero Thanksgiving

United in Intercession and Discipleship at the Sanctuary Altar

United in Faith

Altar Intercession & Community

ኢየሱስ ጌታ ነው

Next Gen Discipleship

Kingdom Kids Children's Ministry

Sundays 10:30 AM · Safe, joy-filled Bible learning

Welcome to Emmanuel United Church of MD

Driven By Mission & Vision

At Emmanuel United Church of MD, we are driven by a powerful mission and vision that shapes everything we do.

Our Mission

"To share the hope of the kingdom of God through Evangelism and compassionate service."

We believe in actively spreading the transformative message of God's kingdom through evangelism, reaching out with love and compassion to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Our Vision

"To see a transformed Ethiopian and Eritrean community in the DMV Area through the power of the gospel of God’s kingdom."

Our vision is to witness the powerful impact of the gospel in the DMV Area, particularly among the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities. We strive for transformation — spiritually, socially, and emotionally — as people encounter the life-changing message of God's kingdom.

We extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to you from the Emmanuel United Church family. Whether you're a long-time member, a first-time visitor, or someone just curious to learn more about us, we're thrilled to have you here.

At Emmanuel United Church, we believe in creating a loving community. Our doors and hearts are open to people from all walks of life, and we're committed to journeying together in faith and fellowship.

Explore our website to discover more about Emmanuel United Church of MD, our community, worship services, and the various ways we are actively living out our mission and vision. Join us on this incredible journey of faith, love, and service as we strive to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around us.

Join Us

"Join our uplifting gathering where we pray, sing, and listen to inspiring messages from the Bible. Let's come together, support one another, and find hope in our shared faith journey. Come as you are and be part of our welcoming community."

Blessings,

Emmanuel United Church of MD Family

Plan Your Visit This Sunday Our Story & Beliefs →

What We Believe

Our Statement of Faith

Uncompromising biblical foundations anchored in historic orthodox Christianity.

01

The Holy Scriptures

We believe the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, serving as the supreme rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

02

The Triune God

We believe in one eternal God, eternally existent in three co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

03

The Person of Jesus Christ

We believe in the deity and humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious atonement on the cross, bodily resurrection, and imminent return (John 1:1-14).

04

Salvation by Grace Alone

Salvation is a free gift received through repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from human works, regenerating the believer by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8-9).

05

The Holy Spirit & Sanctification

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers, empowering them with spiritual gifts to live a holy life and witness boldly (Acts 1:8).

06

The Church & The Great Commission

The Church is the body of Christ called to corporate worship, ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and proclaiming the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

Founder & Senior Pastor

📍 Born & raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Married to one wife & blessed with two children

✝️ Disciple of Jesus Christ since high school graduation

Senior Pastor & Apostolic Leadership

Pastor Dr. Bezalem Fisseha

Senior Pastor, Emmanuel United Church of Maryland · Executive Director, EECFNA

Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Pastor Dr. Bezalem Fisseha surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as a disciple upon graduating from high school. Driven by an unwavering apostolic burden for biblical discipleship, spiritual fatherhood, and wholistic transformation, Dr. Bezalem has faithfully shepherded congregations and Christian networks for over two decades.

🎓 Academic & Theological Qualifications

Doctorate Degree

Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)

M.A. Transformational Leadership

University of Greenwich (United Kingdom)

M.A. Biblical & Theological Studies

Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST)

Direct Email bezalemf@yahoo.com

Office Phone (240) 716-2246

Ministry Center 914 Silver Spring Ave, Ste 204B

⛪ Pastoral Ministry & Broadcast Outreach

Emmanuel United Church of Ethiopia (20+ Years)

Ministered faithfully as Senior Pastor, President, and Board Chairman of Emmanuel United Church of Ethiopia for over 20 years, providing spiritual governance and apostolic guidance to dozens of regional congregations.

Ethiopian Evangelical Churches Fellowship in North America (ESFNA / EECFNA)

Currently serves as Executive Director, uniting, equipping, and mobilizing Ethiopian evangelical assemblies across the United States and Canada.

Satellite TV Broadcast (Elshadai Television)

Produces and hosts a weekly 30-minute biblical teaching program broadcast via satellite on Elshadai Television, reaching thousands of families across Africa, the Middle East, and the diaspora.

Conference Speaker & Scholarly Research

Frequent keynote speaker at international conferences, regularly presenting research papers on leadership, ecclesiology, discipleship, and wholistic mission.

🏛️ Ecumenical & Institutional Leadership

01

Evangelical Fellowship of Ethiopia (EFE) Served 3 consecutive terms as Board Member of the national evangelical umbrella body.

02

Interreligious Council of Ethiopia Served as Council Member advocating for religious freedom, peace, and national reconciliation.

03

Evangelical Leaders Network Active catalyst involved in establishing a new collaborative network for emerging church leaders.

04

Compassion International Ethiopia Served as Advisory Council Member advancing holistic child development through local churches.

05

Evangelical Theological College (ETC) Served as Board Member guiding accredited theological higher education in East Africa.

06

International Leadership Institute (ILI) & Harvest International Served as National Director of ILI and volunteered as Associate Staff for Harvest International.

First-Time Guests