Staff Profile: Meet Abenezer 

Name: Abenezer Tafa

Title: Country Program Officer in Ethiopia  

About Abenezer: After college, Abenezer spent six years in banking, but he knew he wanted to engage in work that touched spiritual lives and impacted the larger body of Christ. Abenezer was introduced to Possibilities Africa in March 2022. When he heard about the mission and saw the programs in action, he started praying, “God, this is where I want to be. This is where I want to serve.”

God answered his prayer and Possibilities Africa’s prayer–he was officially hired in January 2023. It is evident from one conversation with him that his love for Possibilities Africa has only grown since.

He grew up with parents who served as church elders, which exposed him to the unique struggles Christian leaders face in an African context and influenced his passion for holistic transformation. Since joining the Possibilities Africa staff, he has been encouraged by the deeply held belief that “This is the time and this is the work,” he says.

He brings valuable experience to the table, as he has been involved in different church fellowships since high school, served as a teen teacher & coordinator, and participated in the church choir. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and also did short courses on business leadership and entrepreneurship.

Abenezer is involved in everything relating to Possibilities Africa’s programs–from the stage of recruitment to the exit of the pastors and from the community penetration planning to the plan execution. His duties include doing a baseline survey, sharing information, following up on program implementation, preparing progress reports, and documenting testimonies. His role directly relates to the holistic transformation of rural Ethiopia and is vital for Possibilities Africa at large to measure transformation among communities.

If you ask Abenezer what he enjoys about working at Possibilities Africa, he will tell you, “What is there not to enjoy?” He thoroughly enjoys meeting directly with the pastors, whether it’s expository, module training, or hearing their testimonies. Pastors trust him with their personal stories and frustrations, and his team is encouraged by his passion and initiative. He is detail-oriented and blesses his church with his gift of coordinating.

When he’s not working, you can find him on a long walk or in a conversation with a close friend about how they can become the solution to the problems around them. Abenzer is on a mission to serve human life with the larger purpose of glorifying God.

Prayer requests: 

• Abenezer asks God to make him a solution for the pastors he meets, as they often have great, multifaceted needs.
• Pray for God-sized capacity for Abenezer and for more leaders with passion, zeal, and wisdom to serve. Abenezer says the need he encounters is beyond human capacity.
• Pray for Abenezer’s desires to align with God’s will for his life. Pray for God to surround him with people to share his burdens, and to send him the gift of a wife.