Pastor Gemechis Buba (NALC)

The Rev. Dr. Gemechis Desta Buba currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Mission in the North American Lutheran Church. He is originally from Ethiopia and now lives in Atlanta, GA, with his wife and three children. Dr. Buba received a Bachelor of Theology with high distinction from Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary, where he served as a professor for two years. After working on a Masters of Theology in Church History in the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology, he moved to the United States for further studies. In 2003 he received his Masters of Divinity and Masters of Arts in Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. In May, 2006, Dr. Buba earned a Doctorate Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA, specializing in missional leadership. Dr. Buba was ordained in 2001. He has served as a seminary professor, mission developer, senior pastor, vice president of the Southeastern Black Lutheran Pastors’ Conference, assistant to the bishop of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (ELCA), director of African National Ministries (ELCA), and president of the worldwide Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches. He was pastor of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church and the African/Oromo Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA. He is also the founder and president of LeadStar Theological College. In addition to academic study and ordained ministry, Dr. Buba participates in multiple international ministries through speaking, leading revivals, leadership development conventions, and evangelical mission events.