For over five years the Joel Generation
Army (JGA) has proclaimed the awesome power of God to the
world from the Washington, D.C. area. The JGA has inspired
youth in North America to boldly serve God since January,
1999.
A prophetic word about the army
was delivered by Pastor Dan Sileshi in 1998. “You are
the army of Joel,” he declared, describing the mighty
youth revival that would arise out of the Ethiopian Evangelical
Church and shake the nation.
Just six months later, Pastor Teddy, after
doing an in-depth study of the book of Joel in the Bible,
preached about this army. He delivered this message at a Youth
for Christ service and discussed several aspects of the army.
The Joel Generation describes the end
times, and these are the end times, so the title of Joel Generation
Army is fitting to use on the youth of the current age. It
is based on Joel 2:2, “…A large and mighty army
comes, such as never was of old, nor ever will be in ages
to come.” This is a powerful army of God that stands
out and whose soldiers know their direction.
Soon, Pastor Zerubbabel Mengistu (Pastor
Z) came to lead the youth group at the church. He applied
the name of JGA to the young people there and led the group
for five years. Birukus, one of the earliest members of the
army, said, “…Just spending time with [Pastor]
Z. was inspiring. He truly is a blessed man of GOD.”
Pastor Z’s
friend and partner, Sahle, shaped the outlooks of many young
people and exemplified a holy life. “
He was a Spirit-led man,” David, a longtime member of
the JGA, stated. Now, Pastor Z and Sahle have taken up ministry
in Ethiopia, continuing to be lifelong members of the JGA
as they serve God in Addis Ababa.
In June, 1999 the first JGA conference,
in which youth from cities around the United States came to
D.C, was held. Since then, there were conferences in 2000,
2001, 2002, and 2003. Young people from every region of the
United States and parts of Canada came to these gatherings.
There were people from New York City, New York; Dallas, Texas;
Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota;
Toronto, Ontario; just to name a few.
Numerous lives have been affected by the
emergence of this army. One of the early members of the JGA,
David Teshome, was greatly influenced by people in the army,
especially the leaders. “Through Teddy,” David
wrote, “I learned what righteousness truly means…and
how to make it grow.”
Sam, who joined the army in 1999, was
also powerfully impacted by God through the JGA. She wrote
in a letter that “…It was at Monday Night Prayer
that I got filled with the Holy Spirit, got blessed with a
wonderful job, and got to witness the sacrificed love of my
brothers and sisters in the Lord.”
To further its cause, the JGA continues
in prayer, the sharing of its message through personal contact,
producing videos from conferences, and using the internet
as a medium for declaring the truth of the Word of God. Future
plans include raising a youth ministry that is composed of
many ethnicities, broadcasting sermons over the internet,
and becoming united with other churches in fulfilling God’s
purposes.