Debre Ganet Kidus Gabriel
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, In N.J., Inc


The goal of the Church is to render religious and secular services in the community; to reconnect and educate the displaced and disposed African descendants back to their true culture and lineage of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, in a special and meaningful way, with the aim of improving lives and promote peace, order, and purpose into the life of the individual.
​
The Mission of Debre Ganet Kidus Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church In New Jersey is to:
- Preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ through the teaching of the Apostolic Faith.
- Share ancient Christian doctrine and principles.
- Provide spiritual education and guidance in order to empower and be productive.
- Reach the needs of our community.
- Restore the people to unity with God and each other.
​
We desire to make the Church a pillar in the community where people can get effective help through services like Health Fair, Clothing Drives, Soup Kitchen, and College preparation, etc. Also, we want to be a beacon of light in the area through our religious services to enlighten and empower the people. What is important to our Church is that people can understand the message of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ in a fresh meaningful way, and can apply it to their daily lives.
​
The target audience is the entire Essex County, New Jersey, but mainly the cities of Orange, East Orange, West Orange, South Orange, Maplewood, Irvington and Newark; and irrespective of race, gender, creed or age. Our philosophy is to conduct all affairs with faith, positivity, high degree of integrity, harmony, peace, love and tolerance.
​
To educate the community through religious teachings and secular services. The short-term changes we foresee include extending more services to the community. Long-term services includes expanding our membership and outreach programs.. We will develop and grow and have enough efficiently trained, competent and result-oriented staff to promote the development of our Church.
​
As the demographics shows, most of the population in the Oranges and surrounding cities are between the ages of 18-65 and a relatively high percentage are unemployed and living below the poverty line. Although some are able to sustain an adequate life style, there is a dire spiritual famine. Many are seeking the truth and meaning to their lives, others are lost. Our Church is tremendously rich spiritually, and has all the tools necessary to fulfill this need.
​
We want to attract all who are seeking a better way of life, and not any particular peoples or groups. Many are successful materially, but realize something is lacking. Some want to connect with their true culture and heritage, others want the truth; still others want a relief from the pressure of life and a way to handle it. Today, vast number of people suffer from various emotional pains, depression, boredom, anxiety, restlessness, inability to learn, inability to work, inability to make commitments and from lack of freedom to be human.
​
The growth potential of our church is great. We have a universal message which promotes the Fatherhood of God and The Brotherhood of Man. We are all God's children, created and cared for by Him. The foundation in the message is love which Jesus Christ openly showed on the Cross. Because of some hopelessness and confusion, many have resorted to drugs and illegal activity as a means of escape. Others have the attitude of indifference and still others are seeking to find the truth and real meaning of their lives.
​
The Church is the link between God and man and as such it is the duty of the Church to identify itself with the needy.
​
One of the main barriers to erase, is the notion that the Church is a Rastafarian Church. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the oldest Christian Church in the World; and has biblical roots (Acts 8: 26-39) the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
​
Many Rastafarians are members of the Church, but they have to believe and accept Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Creator and Savior of the World. The doctrine of the Church is grounded in the teachings of the Apostles, whom our Lord Jesus Christ commissioned to promulgate the Faith before His Ascension into Heaven. Thus the doctrine of the Church is built on the Foundation of the Prophets and the Apostles, and not on heresy.