LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
A holistic view of challenges and solutions
Yared Tilahun (Evangelist) established Love Your Neighbor (LYN) in 2022 to address the needs of individuals living in extreme poverty through the local church.
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
Matthew 22:39 | Mark 12:31 | Luke 10:27 | Romans 13:9 | Galatians 5:14 | James 2:8
The Greek word for neighbor is πλησίον plēsion. It is used throughout the Bible’s Old and New Testaments to define who our neighbor is.
HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE?
According to the World Bank, extreme poverty is defined as a person living on less than $1.90 per day. Post-pandemic, it is estimated that globally over 700 million people are living in extreme poverty. The number is expected to increase by 100 million as the world is combating inflation and other post-pandemic effects. These numbers are astonishing, especially in countries like our own, where it is difficult to break the cycle poverty.
Furthermore, it is often stated that poverty disproportionately affects women who lack the resources, skills, and opportunities needed to escape the trap.
LYN supports individuals chart a pathway out of the poverty trap through targeted and holistic interventions under the LYN’s five pillars.
LYN programs aim to instill hope and provide knowledge and tools that would enable people to chart their pathway.
Understanding that money is not the only challenge, as the problems faced are multifaceted, multiple interventions that can bring about sustained change are required.
For example, people in extreme poverty face social exclusion which is a barrier to accessing stable income, quality education, and healthcare. When viewing the challenges holistically, it is evident that people are marginalized, and vulnerabilities extend beyond income to include access to basic infrastructure and public services.
LOVING HEARTS, HELPING HANDS!
Charting a pathway to break the poverty cycle requires targeted and multiple interventions.
Besides meeting the basic need of food, shelter, and clothing, LYN will work with local churches to address the immediate needs focusing on access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, healthcare, and education.
To fulfil the above mentioned needs, what is required is loving hearts and helping hands! Through small but impactful interventions, the basic needs of those around us can be met.
LYN will equip the local church to address the needs through training and development, advocacy, and availing program management tools and techniques, ensuring that sustainable solutions are implemented.
The founder of Love Your Neighbor, Yared Tilahun (Evangelist) was born on Christmas Day, 1968 in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
From an early age, Yared had a strong inclination to the letters and arts. During his teenage years, he worked at the Ethiopian Broadcasting Services and the Ethiopian National Radio as a children’s programs’ host. During that time, he continued to pursue opportunities to invest in his artistic skills taking various classes during the “summer” holidays. His love for writing also developed during that time, where he won awards for his short stories. He authored his first book, “ከርታታዋ እናት” at the age of 15, which paved the way for many more short stories that were published in different media outlets. He is also the author of several plays which were performed in various Addis Abeba theaters.
He had the opportunity to act in Tewodros, a popular play during the era. In addition, he has written several songs for popular Ethiopian artists.
In 1978, in pursuit of a better life he decided to migrate to the developed world. This landed him in Djibouti, where he started life as a refugee. When the toll of migration and refugee life became unbearable, he contemplated suicide; but, he was fortunate enough to hear the Good News of the Gospel which transformed the trajectory of his life. However, living in Djibouti, worshipping the Lord as a refugee started becoming difficult. he unlike others didn’t want to pursue the passage to the more developed countries. Instead, he wanted to stay obedient to the voice he heard from the Lord which instructed him to return to the land of his fathers, and there, the Lord promised to be generous to him.
As such, he returned to his home, Ethiopia, where nothing had changed, but, he came back a changed person!
Upon his return he lived with his parents in Addis Abeba, and joined the Full Gospel Believers church underground movement; at the time, freedom of religion was still restricted in Ethiopia. He devoted his time to studying the world and readying himself for Ministry. Finally, in 1983 he embarked on the full-time Ministry journey.
Yared had a desire to serve all Evangelical churches. Thus, in 1999, he established Golden Oil Ministries; through GO Ministries he continues to train and equip emerging preachers, provide weekly radio and TV programs on Evangelical channels, publish books, articles, and blog, all for the growth of the local church and the edification of the saints. As a travelling Evangelist who has shared the word of God with millions in 60 Ethiopian, and 198 global cities over the last 3 decades, he has influenced millions of lives. In addition to sharing the good news with all, Yared is passionate about social justice, and he often uses his platforms to advocate for equality and fairness.
Since 2022, he is focused on establishing a new vision of helping alleviate the struggles of those living in extreme poverty.
He resides in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Megnote Kifle, and their two children, Kidus and Fikir.
Board Members
Sibilu Bodja
Sebilu Bodja is the Global Regional Director for Bethany Christian Services, overseeing Bethany Global’s Country programs in four countries from Ethiopia.
Sebilu joins the board of Love Your Neighbor with extensive experience in the non-profit sector as a program developer and strategic leader, bringing perspectives that inform design, implementation, strategic partnership, and broader shifts in culture and systems.
Sebilu joins the board of Love Your Neighbor with extensive experience in the non-profit sector as a program developer and strategic leader, bringing perspectives that inform design, implementation, strategic partnership, and broader shifts in culture and systems.
Sibilu Bodja
BOARD MEMBER
Girma Bishaw
Girma Bishaw (Rev, Dr.) is the pastor of Reality Church in London and the Director and founder of Gratitude Initiative UK.
Gratitude Initiative exists to introduce and promote gratitude as a formative language that transforms and energies how we approach solving individual and social problems, resulting in harmony and reconciliation, building bridges to make the cross-cultural mission possible. He also serves as Director of Movement and Community Engagement for The London Project. He has also served as a pastor of the Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church, planting diaspora Churches across the UK.
Girma joins the board of Love Your Neighbour with extensive experience in NGO start-ups, building solid partnerships, and problem-solving.
Gratitude Initiative exists to introduce and promote gratitude as a formative language that transforms and energies how we approach solving individual and social problems, resulting in harmony and reconciliation, building bridges to make the cross-cultural mission possible. He also serves as Director of Movement and Community Engagement for The London Project. He has also served as a pastor of the Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church, planting diaspora Churches across the UK.
Girma joins the board of Love Your Neighbour with extensive experience in NGO start-ups, building solid partnerships, and problem-solving.
Girma Bishaw
BOARD MEMBER
Wendmsyamregne Mekasha
Wendmsyamregne Mekasha (MSC, MA, MBA, DBA) is a Senior Operations Officer (Consultant) at World Bank Ethiopia.
He is a seasoned Operations Manager with extensive experience in economic analysis, operational excellence, program design, and business development strategies. He has demonstrated the ability to identify solutions for program implementation.
Wendim joins the Love Your Neighbour board with extensive experience in program implementation and management both in the public and private sectors.
He is a seasoned Operations Manager with extensive experience in economic analysis, operational excellence, program design, and business development strategies. He has demonstrated the ability to identify solutions for program implementation.
Wendim joins the Love Your Neighbour board with extensive experience in program implementation and management both in the public and private sectors.
Wendm Mekasha
BOARD MEMBER
Kalkidan is the the Founder and Managing Director of Covenant Engineering GMBH in Germany.
He has gathered extensive expertise and experience in the field of engineering and project management working with various international, mega, and medium-sized projects in Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Lithuania, Turkey, France, Belgium, Romania, and Equatorial Guinea.
Kalkidan has a surplus of leadership and managerial experience; has successfully lead dynamic engineering and construction projects; is a sought after resource to partner with.
He has gathered extensive expertise and experience in the field of engineering and project management working with various international, mega, and medium-sized projects in Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Lithuania, Turkey, France, Belgium, Romania, and Equatorial Guinea.
Kalkidan has a surplus of leadership and managerial experience; has successfully lead dynamic engineering and construction projects; is a sought after resource to partner with.
Kalkidan K. Gashawtena
BOARD MEMBER
coming soon
BOARD MEMBER
coming soon
BOARD MEMBER
Yared Tilahun
YARED TILAHUN
BOARD SECRETARY
Board Members
Sibilu Bodja
Sebilu Bodja is the Global Regional Director for Bethany Christian Services, overseeing Bethany Global’s Country programs in four countries from Ethiopia.
Sebilu joins the board of Love Your Neighbor with extensive experience in the non-profit sector as a program developer and strategic leader, bringing perspectives that inform design, implementation, strategic partnership, and broader shifts in culture and systems.
Sebilu joins the board of Love Your Neighbor with extensive experience in the non-profit sector as a program developer and strategic leader, bringing perspectives that inform design, implementation, strategic partnership, and broader shifts in culture and systems.
Sibilu Bodja
BOARD MEMBER
Girma Bishaw
Girma Bishaw (Rev, Dr.) is the pastor of Reality Church in London and the Director and founder of Gratitude Initiative UK.
Gratitude Initiative exists to introduce and promote gratitude as a formative language that transforms and energies how we approach solving individual and social problems, resulting in harmony and reconciliation, building bridges to make the cross-cultural mission possible. He also serves as Director of Movement and Community Engagement for The London Project. He has also served as a pastor of the Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church, planting diaspora Churches across the UK.
Girma joins the board of Love Your Neighbour with extensive experience in NGO start-ups, building solid partnerships, and problem-solving.
Gratitude Initiative exists to introduce and promote gratitude as a formative language that transforms and energies how we approach solving individual and social problems, resulting in harmony and reconciliation, building bridges to make the cross-cultural mission possible. He also serves as Director of Movement and Community Engagement for The London Project. He has also served as a pastor of the Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church, planting diaspora Churches across the UK.
Girma joins the board of Love Your Neighbour with extensive experience in NGO start-ups, building solid partnerships, and problem-solving.
Girma Bishaw
BOARD MEMBER
Wendmsyamregne Mekasha
Wendmsyamregne Mekasha (MSC, MA, MBA, DBA) is a Senior Operations Officer (Consultant) at World Bank Ethiopia.
He is a seasoned Operations Manager with extensive experience in economic analysis, operational excellence, program design, and business development strategies. He has demonstrated the ability to identify solutions for program implementation.
Wendim joins the Love Your Neighbour board with extensive experience in program implementation and management both in the public and private sectors.
He is a seasoned Operations Manager with extensive experience in economic analysis, operational excellence, program design, and business development strategies. He has demonstrated the ability to identify solutions for program implementation.
Wendim joins the Love Your Neighbour board with extensive experience in program implementation and management both in the public and private sectors.
Wendm Mekasha
BOARD MEMBER
Kalkidan is the the Founder and Managing Director of Covenant Engineering GMBH in Germany.
He has gathered extensive expertise and experience in the field of engineering and project management working with various international, mega, and medium-sized projects in Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Lithuania, Turkey, France, Belgium, Romania, and Equatorial Guinea.
Kalkidan has a surplus of leadership and managerial experience; has successfully lead dynamic engineering and construction projects; is a sought after resource to partner with.
He has gathered extensive expertise and experience in the field of engineering and project management working with various international, mega, and medium-sized projects in Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Lithuania, Turkey, France, Belgium, Romania, and Equatorial Guinea.
Kalkidan has a surplus of leadership and managerial experience; has successfully lead dynamic engineering and construction projects; is a sought after resource to partner with.
Kalkidan K. gashawtena
BOARD MEMBER
Trent Post is a husband, father, adoptive/foster parent, author and Founder/Executive Director of Make Your Mark Global. Trent with his family have lived in Ethiopia for over a decade leading MYMG in bringing children, youth, and teenage mothers out of street life, to a life with purpose. He has a deep passion to help vulnerable children overcome their challenges to reach their full potential in life.
