ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 8, 2003

ELCA Pastor Featured On 'Day 1' Beginning Aug. 24
03-144-JAC*

    CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Gemechis Desta Buba is the
featured speaker Aug. 24, Sept. 28 and Nov. 2 on "Day 1," a
nationally broadcast radio program. Buba is pastor of Oromo
Evangelical Lutheran Church, Atlanta, a congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
    Buba studied theology in Ethiopia before coming to the
United States, where he continued his studies at the
Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta. He is
currently developing an Oromo congregation in the Atlanta area.
    "Renewal is at the heart of Christ's mission," Buba said in
a sermon based on the Gospel of St. Mark. "He renewed humanity
by killing the old self and rising up with a newly resurrected
identity of hope and future," he said.
    "Day 1," formerly known as "The Protestant Hour," is
broadcast on more than 150 radio stations nationwide and on the
American Forces Network to U.S. service men and women worldwide.
Each program includes a sermon and brief interviews with Buba. A
television version of the program is broadcast on the Hallmark
Channel's "America at Worship" on Sunday mornings.
    Day 1 has a home page at http://www.day1.net on the Web.

*Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. This summer she is an intern
with ELCA News and Media Production.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958
http://www.elca.org/news