Location: San Jose, CA
As of 2021, CPC has adopted the Somali people group of Ethiopia. This means that we are supporting Horn Of Africa Evangelical Missions to raise up indigenous church planters to reach the Somali people with the good news of Jesus Christ! Horn of Africa was established in 2002 in San Jose, CA, focusing on planting Christ-centered, culture-affirming churches in the Horn of Africa and beyond and giving priority to people groups who have little or no access to the gospel.
The first duty is to serve those who are last to hear the gospel, the unengaged and unreached. Horn of Africa uses disciple-making movement strategies which defines a movement as at least 100 new churches that have multiplied to at least the 4th generation to see disciples multiply disciples intentionally, leaders multiply leaders, churches multiply churches, and movements multiply movements. They begin by forming a base of prayer, training local leaders, entering a community, finding the person of peace, starting DBS, coaching to salvation, then baptism, establishing the first church, multiply, and coaching to repeat the process.
There are four major Somali clan groups. The Somalis are primarily nomadic shepherds. A typical family owns a herd of sheep or goats and a few burden camels. Camels are the main form of transportation. The more camels a man has, the greater his prestige. The nomads live in portable huts made of branches covered with grass mats. They usually settle in communities and live as farmers or artisans. Having an abundant supply of food is a status symbol
among the clans. The Somali consider themselves warriors. They are a very individualistic people, sharply divided by clans. Fights often occur between the clans, resulting in many deaths. Typically, the Somali wear brightly colored cloths draped over their bodies like togas. The men may also wear kilts.
Although the Somali are nearly all Shafiite Muslims, numerous beliefs and traditions have been intermingled with their Islamic practices. The traditional Islamic prayers are usually observed; however, Somali women have never worn the required veils. Villagers and urban settlers frequently turn to the wadaad, a religious expert, for blessings, charms, and advice in worldly matters. They believe in spirit possession and spirits that live in trees, water sources, and hilltops. Although they profess strong allegiance to Islam, they hold stronger primary loyalties to self, family, and clan, in that order.
Very few Somali children attend school, and over half of the adults are illiterate. This is not surprising since they did not have a written script until 1972. Access to modern health services is very limited in Ethiopia. Droughts, famines, and wars have created numerous problems. Malnutrition alone has accounted for the death of thousands of Somali since the 1970s. The activities of missionaries among the Somalis have met with little success. There are only a few known believers among the Somali living in Ethiopia.
