Shalom Lutheran Church is a confessional Lutheran church of Afaan Oromo speaking people living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Since I arrived in Canada in 2001, it’s been my heart’s desire to plant a Lutheran church. While it took longer than I expected, God’s timing was better than I could have ever imagined.

At the very end of 2019, I led a prayer service at the synod office chapel for several faithful Oromo Lutherans living in Winnipeg. It was determined at that time to leave our former fellowship and form a confessional Lutheran mission congregation. When considering a name for the newly founded group John 14:27 came to mind:

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. | John 14:27

Since Christ Jesus has called His Church to deliver the peace of His Gospel to the world, we decided to adopt the name Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace.

– Rev. Asefa Aredo | Missionary-at-Large, Oromo Outreach

Our Ministry

Thanks to God, our desire to have a confessional Lutheran Church for Afaan Oromo speaking people living in Winnipeg has become a reality. Since forming our mission congregation, we’ve been blessed with numerical growth, performing several baptisms within a few months, welcoming new immigrants and providing adult and youth instruction courses.

Our Lord has richly blessed us, and with the guidance of His Spirit we have not only been reaching out to the Oromo diaspora in Winnipeg, but we have also started a young adult ministry in English (which has become the prayer language of our youth). With the assistance of LCC’s Missions Director, Rev. M.L. Smith, we offer bi-weekly Bible studies in English for our youth and young adults. 

Beautiful Saviour Lutheran Church is allowing us to hold services in their building and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is allowing us to use their building for our young adult instruction.

2022 LCC Synod Convention

At Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) 12^th Regular Convention, Shalom Oromo Lutheran Church was unanimously received into membership! Rev. Asefa Aredo, pastor at Shalom, signed LCC’s constitution, accompanied by members of the congregation, including Shegitu Aredo, who is an administrative assistant in Synod office. After the signing of the constitution, the assembly joined in singing the Doxology.

Looking to read more Convention news? We are excited to announce that for the first time ever, LCC’s Convention News is available in Afaan-Oromo! You can view and print the newsletter below.