From Devout Follower of Muhammad to Committed Disciple of Jesus: Principles and Methods of Transition Phase Discipleship Among Adventist Believers From a Muslim Background in Ethiopia

Islam is the second most dominant religion in Ethiopia commanding about 34 percent of the over one hundred ten million population of the country. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has not been successful, until recently, to effectively reach this large and growing Muslim population. In the last decade and half, hundreds of Ethiopian Muslims are coming to faith in Christ through the ministry of the Church. However, church members, leaders, and disciplers lack adequate understanding of the transition phase discipleship during which the new believers from Muslim background (BMBs) go through considerable challenges such as persecution, lack of social and economic support, and unanswered deep theological questions. Consequently, many of them lose their faith in Christ during the transition phase. In addition to studying the biblical data and other related literature to understand the principles of effectively discipling BMBs during transition phase, this study employed phenomenological research design to conduct the research. I collected field data from 30 purposively selected adult Adventist BMBs at three locations (north-central, central, and south-eastern parts of Ethiopia) using in-depth interviews. The data was further triangulated by three focus group discussions that involved 17 participants that included disciplers, mature BMBs, and pastors. All the study participants have current or recent transition phase discipleship experience either by going through the process or by discipling those in the transition phase. Based on the research findings, biblical data, and relevant literature, I suggested the following principles and methods for effective BMBs‘ transition phase discipleship. These include: working on worldview transformation among new BMBs to overcome theological challenges; educating new believers on the biblical concept of the cosmic conflict and caring for the persecuted believers to persevere in persecution; and applying biblical principles of transition phase discipleship such as temporary insiderness (where required), taking the required time to prepare the new believers for baptism, meeting physical needs, encountering folk Muslim worldviews from truth, allegiance, and power dimensions to overcome poor transition phase discipling practices. All these require patience, understanding, and strong support from disciplers, church members, and church leaders.