Eshetu Koyra Abate

Eshetu Koyra Abate

June 29, 1955 - December 28, 2011

Eshetu Koyra Abate

June 29, 1955 - December 28, 2011

Obituary

Eshetu Abate, 56, was called to be with his LORD and savior Jesus Christ on December 28, 2011 in Fountain Valley, CA while his family was at his side.

A visitation service is being held on Friday January 6 at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills, CA from 7 to 9 P.M. In addition, there will be a farewell service conducted at First Lutheran Church, in Long Beach, CA at 1 PM on Saturday January 7 as Dr. Eshetu will be interred in his birthplace of Ethiopia.

Eshetu Abate was born in Arbegona, Ethiopia to Mr. Abate Koyra and Egigayehu Kassaye. From his early years, the good news of Jesus Christ reverberated in the Abate household. Nevertheless it was not until he reached the age of 18 that he realized his life’s purpose: to walk with the LORD and proclaim his grace and mercy to others.

After obtaining his doctorate in theology, 1988, from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Dr. Abate returned to Ethiopia to work at the Mekane Yesus Thelogical Seminary from 1988-2000. Afterwards he worked at the Bible Society of Ethiopia as a translation consultant from 2000-2002. His final professional spell was at Concordia University, Irvine where he worked as professor of Theology from 2002 until 2 weeks before his passing.

Above all, though, he esteemed working as a servant of the LORD; first as a Reverend at Addis Ababa Mekanye Yesus in Ethiopia and later in the United States’leading Ethiopian congregations in Long Beach and Los Angeles.

He will be remembered for his deep love and commitment to Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Amarech and his three children: Miseker, Eliezer and Benjamin.

Condolences and Donations may be sent to the family through:

Evangelical Mekane Yesus Lutheran Fellowship in North America
2001 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454

Bank Address:
Wells Fargo Bank
2600 E Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN
55406

Routing No. 0910000191
Account No. 9817300735

OR
You can send a check to the following address:
Francis Stephanos
4537 Cinnamon Ridge Trail
Eagan, MN 55122

No Events & Services

No Charities & Donations

No Gallery Photos

No Videos

26 responses to Eshetu Koyra Abate

  1. Eyob Kassa says:

    My heart is sadden at the loss of such a wonderful man of God. Dr. Eshetu was my former teacher, dean, counselor, and a man who was very close to me like a father, who always took a time to listen and help me with everything I had in my life. His respect for everybody, his gentleness, and kind spirit I will never foreget. We had a great plan to do together for the kingdom of God. Even though, you will not be here with me, I promise to continue what you placed in my heart. I will never foreget your love, kindness!
    May the good Lord comfort the rest of your family!
    Eyob B Kassa

  2. Dr. Eshetu!! What a dedicated man of God!!! And oh how it clearly shows in his family as well. I enjoyed spending time with the family and friends sharing memories, singing songs in the last few weeks. Dr. Eshetu was a father figure for me as he was the only one that would always say to these words to me many times “You are like a son to me”. We became especially close as my mother was in the hospital a year ago. He was there constantly in the hardest of time showing up in the middle of the night at times comforting me and my family when we needed him the most. I am so grateful to God , as was my mother, to have had him as part of our family.

    Rediat Fikreselassie

  3. Dr. Eshetu was my professor. For me, his theological wisdom and epistemic humility was a lasting inspiration. I have also learned the value of reclaiming our spiritual fathers (i.e, the Early African theologians) for contemporary theologizing.

    Tekle Belachew
    Chicago, IL

  4. Amsal Flood says:

    A man of unusuall giftings. How greatful I am to having known him. Dear Kids and Amarech you have been so blessed to have him. We miss him, yet we keep him in our hearts. We will see him again.

  5. Tamrat Reta says:

    What an amazing humble man he was!
    I will never forget his bright smile and soft- spoken words.
    It is a great loss for his family and for the body of Christ.
    May the Lord comfort his wife, children, family, friends and church members.

    Tamrat S. Reta

Reply to a Condolence Cancel reply

Choose a Candle