Long journey leads pastor to Warren congregation

WARREN — Pastor Tsegayesus Hurisa Hunde has traversed the globe spreading the good news of Christ.

He started in his home country of Ethiopia, then traveled to Norway. Hunde is now the new pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, in Warren.

“I am on fire for the Gospel,” said Hunde, a minister for more than 28 years. He spent the last 20 years in Norway and studied theology for eleven years.

“I was called to Warren,” he said. “I was praying to God for guidance.”

Hunde began to look for other opportunities outside of Norway.

“In Norway things are becoming difficult now because of liberal theology,” he said. “When you start to interpret the Bible in a very secular way then you end up with liberal theology.  Liberal theology is really taking over in Norway.  As a conservative Christian, I didn’t like that. That is why I started to knock on other doors.”

He soon saw a job opening for a pastor at Warren’s Christ Lutheran Church.

“They wrote, they were looking for a pastor, who was guided by the Holy Spirit,” he said. “That touched my heart.”

Hunde had some reservations that an American church may not want a minister from Europe.  Despite those concerns, he contacted the church and said he and church officials began to talk.  He was invited to the church, preached a sermon and ultimately, he was extended an offer, which he and his family accepted.   

However, there were still some hurdles to overcome.

“The transition was not easy, it was difficult,” said Hunde.  “There was much bureaucracy in the process.”

The difficulties included getting Hunde and his family the necessary documentation to work and live in the United States.

Mark Woy, of Christ Lutheran Church, contacted Warren Mayor James Fouts and together with former Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Carl Marlinga and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, they were instrumental in assisting Hunde and his family in coming to the United States.

“I was happy to be part of getting the pastor to the United States,” Fouts said. “With the help of Carl Marlinga and the Congress, we were able to cut through the red tape.”

Fouts was the keynote speaker at the pastor’s installation last month.

“He is helping out a church in Warren in becoming a little more international, but it is also a good example of diversity from Ethiopia to Norway, now to Warren, Michigan,” said Fouts.

When asked what his goals for Christ Lutheran Church were, Hunde said, “My goal is very clear not just because of me. The church is called to spread the good news of Christ. That is the great commission of the church.

“As a pastor, I am leading the congregation toward that,“ Hunde said.

“We are welcoming all the residents of Warren and from the nearby towns to come to the church, and worship with us. We are open arms, open hands to welcome everybody who comes. Our church excludes nobody. Everybody is welcomed to the church,” said the pastor.