Our Pastor

our pastor

Our pastor Zecharias was born into a Christian home and came to faith in Jesus Christ under the ministry of his father Rev. Abraham Weldeyesus in Asmara, Eritrea.

After serving some years (1985-1989) as the director of youth ministry for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eritrea, Zecharias experienced a growing desire to preach the Word.  He attended Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 1989 to 1991, afterward attending Daystar University College in Nairobi, Kenya for a diploma in mass communications.  He then returned to Eritrea to work in radio ministry.   In 1996, Zecharias began working alongside missionaries of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church laboring in Eritrea.  Missionaries Steven F. Miller, Jonathan Falk, and Brian Wingard served as his mentors, with the goal of planting an indigenous Reformed church in Asmara.

On December 8, 2001, Zecharias was ordained to the gospel ministry and installed as the first pastor of Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Asmara, Eritrea.  He served that congregation until September 2011, at which time God in His wise and good providence led him to a new season of ministry.  For a time Zecharias served as pastor to Eritrean Christian refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, later moving to United States of America.  He took up residence in Taylors, South Carolina and continued his theological studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity in May 2016.  During this time he also served as a pastor at Covenant Community Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Taylors, South Carolina.

Zecharias began serving as the pastor of Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church in May 2016.    He is married to Bethel, whom he met at church in Asmara.  They have been blessed by the Lord with five children—Jokabed, Yafet, Josiah, Miriam, and Senay.

Former pastors:

S. Scott Willet

Tom Champness

Elmer M. Dortzbach


Elders:

Rich Hastings

John Mazunik

Ben Stahl

Bill Wilson

Lyle Zuck