About Us
Who we are:
First Priority Students and Youth Ministry is a Christ-centered movement dedicated to reaching the next generation with the hope of Jesus Christ. Our ministry began from a vision God gave to Benny Proffitt, a youth pastor, high school teacher, and basketball coach, who dreamed of uniting the body of Christ to impact young lives.
The first group of First Priority students was formed in 1985 in Irving, Texas, and by 1990 the ministry had expanded to Birmingham, Alabama, where the strategy continues to this day. Over the years, the vision has spread globally through First Priority Global, a church-based, school- and community-focused, youth-led ministry.
Our Vision
To see the hope of Christ in the next generation.
Our Mission
To equip the next generation to live and share the hope of Christ.
Core Value
Evanglism, Discipleship, Empowerment, Unity and Leadership
Our Journey
In 2020, the First Priority strategy was introduced to Evangelical Theological College students pursuing a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry as part of the course Evangelism and Campus Outreach. Following this, the first official training was held in January 2021 in Addis Ababa, in partnership with the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believers Church.
As the movement grew rapidly, it became necessary to establish a formal structure. With the permission of Benny Proffitt, founder and CEO of First Priority Global, the ministry was legally registered on April 6, 2023, as First Priority Students and Youth Ministry Ethiopia.
Our Leadership
Our ministry is led by a dedicated national team of five leaders, supported by local branch directors who serve across the country.
Each FP branch has three to five leaders who are empowered to raise and manage resources, build partnerships, and expand the gospel among youth in their communities.
Mulatu Betsegaw Mirkeno, one of the first students of the MA in Youth Ministry program, serves as the National Ambassador and President of FP Ethiopia. Under his leadership, the ministry continues to spread the hope of Christ throughout the nation.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Bible
is the perfect Word of God. It is holy and inspired by God. It is God’s only written source and final authority in knowing God and His will. 2 Timothy 3:15-16
The Church
the way God has chosen to accomplish His purposes is through His Church, the Body of Christ, best seen working together in local congregations in every community but also working as One Body everywhere using every means available. Ephesians 2:2; 5:25, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-20
The Trinity
there is one God, eternally revealed in three persons – The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Jesus Christ
is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and then took all our sins upon Himself on the cross. His death on the cross paid the penalty God has set for our sins. He rose from the grave, ascended back into heaven and is at the right hand of the Father in heaven working as our mediator and advocate. He is returning to earth to judge all mankind, the living and the dead, and will set up His promised eternal Kingdom. John 1:14, Matthew 1:20-21, Hebrews 4:14-16
Holy Spirit
Every Christian is born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian possesses the Holy Spirit as God’s redeeming presence and regenerating power in their life. Every Christian should seek everyday to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. John 3:3-8; 14:26, Acts 2:38; 15:8, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 5:25
Sin
every person everywhere is separated from God and will face the judgment of a holy and just God. Persons everywhere needs to enter into a redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ, which is humanity’s only satisfactory atonement. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:27
Salvation
to go to Heaven a person must accept Jesus Christ and receive God’s love and forgiveness, demonstrated and offered to every person, by God, only through His son Jesus Christ who shed His blood for our sin on the cross of Calvary. Romans 6:23, John 14:6, 1 Peter 1:18-21, Ephesians 1:7
Heaven
is a real place and is the eternal destiny for those people who have been made right with God through Jesus Christ.John 14:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:18
Hell
is a real place created for the Devil and his demons. All people who die without Christ will also be condemned to hell for eternity. Matthew 10:28, 2 Peter 2:4
Discipleship
every Christian is to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ which is God’s design and desire for their destiny. Romans 8:28-29, 1 Corinthians 7:1
Missions
every Christian must dedicate themselves to serve Jesus Christ. We must submit to His authority over our lives and to His purpose in our lives. Matthew 6:24; 16:24, James 4:7
Ministry
every Christian should pursue a holy Christian life and have compassion and concern for the well-being of every person, putting others before themselves. Matthew 22:37-39, Philippians 2:2-5
Our Team
Mulat Betsegaw
National Ambasador
Feven
Coach @ TefkiÂ
Barok
Coach @ Lafto Area
Saron
Coach at Beshale SchoolÂ