Gudina and Tsehay Legacy (GTL), is an organization created in the spirit of those two remarkable individuals. It would not be an exaggeration to say that these two individuals embodied the spirit of love, forgiveness, excellence and ultimate sacrifice throughout their lives. Gudina and Tsehay made it their life’s mission to pursue the cause of the Gospel so that all mankind can receive the truth. Their ministry was unique because it found a sense of wholeness in their holistic approach as both complimented one another. Gudina was a theologian, a great thinker and speaker. Tsehay on the other hand was not much for words but ministered with her whole heart, by feeding, providing medical treatment and creating economic opportunities. Many people have stories about how these two individuals were providers in their lives for example, Rev. Girma Kassa can be quoted saying, “Gudina Tumsa is our St. Paul. He and his wife showed our people Jesus Christ they shared our hunger and suffering.” The legacy of Gudina Tumsa and Tsehay Tolessa is one of unity and holistic ministry.
Gudina Tumsa was an Ethiopian church leader who lived from 1929-1979. He was well known for his physical stature, but even more known for his mental capacity. Gudina was later educated in Minnesota USA and he achieved a Bachelor’s of Divinity. He went on to lead the EECMY in the capacity of General Secretary for thirteen years. During his time there Gudina was able to institute major reforms. He developed a twenty-year plan, debated on land reform, established the Addis Ababa Synod along with a multitude of other things. In the end Gudina was kidnapped and murdered by the communist Derg Regime. As he was a public figure that refused to ignore the gruesome humans’ rights abuses. His stance for truth and mankind led his to execution as he posed a threat to the government. On July 28, 1979 Gudina was kidnapped and killed. But for thirteen years no one knew of his whereabouts.
Tsehay Tolessa may not be as polarizing or as famous of a figure as her husband Gudina, but her journey with Christ is just as wonderful. Born into a wealthy family in Wollega, Tsehay’s story of suffering began at the young age of eight years old. The Italians were occupying Ethiopia, and as they left they used scorched earth war tactics. This led to the death of most of Tsehay’s family. She was orphaned at eight and moved into the Swedish Mission Compound. A young beautiful Women, Tsehay was taught many skills in the Mission compound that would prove to be useful later on in her life. Tsehay and Gudina were married young, and the truth is if not for Tsehay, Gudina Tumsa as a theologian nor a man would not exist. Tsehay pushed him to study theology and become a pastor which at the time was a despised and impoverished profession. When he had to study she took care of all the family and financial things. She was the Barnabas to Gudina’s Paul. She made it possible for him to see his ministry to the end. After his kidnapping Tsehay suffered great suffering. She was arrested and tortured for ten years without any reason. In that prison Tsehay would become a minister and evangelist. Saving souls and lives.
The individual stories of these two servants of the Lord are both touching and impressive. The way a husband and wife can remain united in their mission even after death shows that service to the Lord transcends all things. Once Tsehay left prison she began legacy work, she travelled the world telling her testimony of a life in prison and she reunited her divided family. But here greatest tasks began when she returned home after the fall of the Derg Regime and the discovery of Gudina’s remains. For thirteen years she had lived with the hope that one day she would reunite with her husband, but in the end, it was discovered that he had died the night he was taken. Tsehay returned buried her husband and return straight to the mission. She established a prison ministry, planted a church, founded the Gudina Tumsa Foundation and The Gudina Tumsa Legacy.
The Gudina Tumsa Legacy was established first, it was on office of a few close individuals that intended to find out the truth about Gudina’s life, works and death. The office played a key role, in researching, and gathering whatever Gudina wrote in his life. This helped define Gudina as a man and as a theologian. Gudina and Tsehay Legacy (GTL) continued to do work by hosting seminars, conducting interviews and publishing various documents about Gudina. It also was crucial to the establishment of the Gudina Tumsa Foundation. A foundation that has been working on Gudina’s vision to serve the marginalized for over the past three decades. Tsehay lived out the reminder of her life after prison establishing her husband’s legacy and creating the means for God purpose through him to continue being carried out.
After many years, it was unanimously decided that Tsehay deserved recognition for her life and ministry as well. She was not just the wife of a minister. She herself had a great legacy, and began great works that should be continued to benefit the coming generations. And that is how we arrive to today, The Gudina Tumsa Legacy has officially been rebranded to the Gudina and Tsehay Legacy. An office intends to educate and continue developing these individuals’ legacies while creating the means for the legacy to become applicable to today.