Prison Ministry
This past mid-August, Living Parchment Ministry witnessed a beautiful season of spiritual growth inside Sheger Prison. For two weeks, the prison environment was deeply impacted by the warmth of community, the energetic sound of children learning, and the profound truths of the Gospel through our Vacation Bible School programs.
Organizing these programs is never simple. Every single day, the journey from the heart of Addis Ababa to Sheger Prison, located in Daleti on the way to Sebetta on the outskirts of the city, presents a massive challenge. Between grueling traffic congestion and unpredictable transportation hurdles, just getting to the prison grounds requires deep patience and determination. Yet, driven by a passion to serve, our team made the journey faithfully.
Led by LPM’s dedicated Head of Circulation and Prison Ministry leader, Lizibie Fentaw, who prepared and delivered all the lectures and presentations, the team brought two distinct, life-changing curricula to life. Alongside her, volunteers like Mulumebet and several others poured out their hearts, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure every single detail ran smoothly. The impact was felt deeply by two very different groups of people.
“Called to Serve” — Light and Joy for the Children
For the children’s program, there were 28 kids who attended the VBS. While the regular school that LPM operates inside the prison for children has fewer than 28 students enrolled, this special summer program drew in a larger group of little ones who live in the facility alongside their incarcerated mothers.
Every morning at 9:00 AM, the children gathered for an immersive, deeply interactive program that ran until noon. Far from a dry lecture, the curriculum, titled “Called to Serve,” brought major Bible characters to life. The kids didn’t just listen; they learned the values of faith, resilience, and obedience through the stories of John the Baptist, Abraham, Deborah, Joseph, and Jesus.
The mornings were packed with laughter, themed games, creative coloring exercises, and hands-on activities. Because physical nourishment is just as vital as spiritual food, LPM provided nutritious daily lunches to ensure every child ate well.
A Practical Study of the Sanctuary Service for Adult Men
Simultaneously, a powerful VBS program was unfolding for the adult population, where 25 male prisoners dedicated their time to deep spiritual study. The central theme for this group was the Sanctuary Service, a topic focused on understanding God’s plan of salvation.
Rather than focusing purely on abstract theological concepts, the team taught the material in a highly visual and practical way. Using a detailed pictorial guide alongside a physical, real-life model design, the students were able to closely study both the inner and outer parts of the sanctuary.
The lessons bridged ancient scripture with modern reality, mapping out exactly how the sanctuary service applies to the daily walk of a Christian today. The men engaged deeply, asking questions and reflecting on their own lives.
At the conclusion of the two-week program, a combined graduation ceremony was held for both groups. Sr. Zewdnesh Mengistu, representing LPM, stepped forward to honor all the participants. For the children, she handed over official certificates and a little piece of chocolate, which brought great smiles to their faces. For the 25 male prisoners, she awarded certificates alongside copies of the book Steps to Christ, provided in both the Amharic and Oromiffa languages to serve as permanent spiritual companions in their cells.
Celebrating the Collective Effort Behind Our Prison Ministry
An outreach of this scale is a collective effort, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the Sheger Prison Administration. We are profoundly grateful to the prison leadership and staff for opening their doors, cooperating with our team, and allowing us to bring these vital lessons, spiritual resources, and care programs to both the adults and children under your watch.
We are also incredibly thankful to our dedicated supporters who made this possible, including Lelissie Buli from the USA, who fully covered the expenses for the books; our diligent college students abroad, who have no personal income but still support this ministry, sacrificing what little they have; and the many silent donors, both within Ethiopia and abroad, who choose to remain anonymous while consistently funding our work.
While you might prefer to keep your names hidden from the public, please know that we see you, we value you, and we know each of you by name. Most importantly, God knows your heart. He sees your quiet obedience and your sacrificial generosity, and He will reward you according to His riches.
Thank you for helping Living Parchment Ministry turn prison cells into places of praise!
On Friday, July 10, Sheger Prison hosted a milestone celebration that brought immense joy to many hearts. Six bright children, aged 4 to 6, celebrated their very first graduation from the early childhood education program run by Living Parchment Ministry (LPM). It was a day filled with proud mothers, encouraging words, and a shared sense of hope for the future of these little ones.
Light in a Dark Place: How the School Began
Sheger Prison is a large facility housing about 4000 male and 250 female prisoners. Living among the female population are children who were either born in the prison or joined their mothers there.
Before we stepped in, these little ones faced a quiet tragedy. Growing up behind bars, they had no access to basic learning. They were on a path to illiteracy, unable to learn their alphabet, basic math, shapes, or colors.
To change their story, we worked with the prison administration to completely renovate an old building they generously provided for us. We brought in a full-time teacher to offer nursery and pre-K classes, starting this little school over two years ago. About one year ago, we also began feeding the children lunch so they could have the energy to stay longer and learn.
A Graduation to Remember
The graduation ceremony was a beautiful milestone for these children. Our six graduates received brand new backpacks and special gifts, while the other 36 children who joined the celebration were blessed with toys of their own.
The ceremony was followed by a lunch for more than 50 guests. Some visiting officials from the Oromiya regional prison administration happened to be visiting Sheger Prison that day. When they were informed about the graduation, they came to witness it and were amazed by what they saw. They shared that in all their experience working with prisons, they had never seen such a ceremony or program for children.
Inspector Konjit, the head of children and women affairs at Sheger Prison, was also there. She was highly impressed by the education, the lunch program, and the great work being done. She asked us to share our future plans so the prison could help where possible.
The mothers of the children were incredibly happy and excited. Seeing their children get both an education and good food brought them immense joy.
The Prison Commissioner, Wakgari Challa, attended briefly despite his busy schedule. He signed a certificate of recognition for the ministry, which Inspector Konjit presented to our representative Dr. Gutu Amanuel. During the event, Daniel Nigussie gave a short sermon that lifted everyone’s spirits.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Room to Grow
As beautiful as this day was, it also reminded us of how much work is left to do.
Our coordinator, Lizibie Fentaw, who manages our prison ministry alongside her many other responsibilities, shared that we are already outgrowing our space. Right now, the children do everything in a single room. To run this program the way these kids deserve, we need at least two rooms: one dedicated solely to classroom lessons, and another where they can sit down and eat their lunches. We are praying for the doors to open for this expansion.
Sharing the Blessing with the Youth
After the graduation, there was some food left over. Lizibie and her group took it to a new section of Sheger Prison that houses youth prisoners between the ages of 13 and 18. About 100 young people gathered for a short program. They were so happy to receive the special meal. During the gathering, Gutu and his group sang some songs and taught the youth how to sing along with them. Lizibie shared the word of God with them, encouraging them to build their relationship with God and hold onto hope for their future, no matter their current situation.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Village
We say this often, but it is the absolute truth: we cannot do this work alone. This graduation happened because a beautiful village of compassionate people chose to care.
We want to extend our deepest, most sincere gratitude to the Sheger Prison Administration. Your willingness to collaborate, your help in securing the compound space, and your consistent encouragement have made this life-changing work possible. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership.
We also send our warmest thanks to the wonderful individuals who stand with us. We are deeply grateful to the members of the Ethiopian SDA Church in Kansas City, who diligently send financial support every single month to keep our lunch program running. Our thanks go to Medina Hussien, who has been a constant blessing by consistently providing toys and children’s items over the years, and to the Filwoha health professionals, Sister Zewdnesh, the family of Daniel Nigussie, and Muluemebet for supporting this graduation. Finally, we thank Amran for beautifully capturing the smiles and memories of this day.
To the many others who support this school through your financial gifts, daily prayers, and hands-on labor but are not mentioned here, please know we are deeply grateful for you.
Your prayers and support are changing lives, one tiny graduate at a time.
At Living Parchment Ministry, we believe books are silent evangelists. Over the last year and a half, God has moved powerfully through this ministry in both public libraries and prison walls. Today, we are overjoyed to share two major milestones that celebrate how your support is changing lives in Ethiopia.
Spreading the Word Through Public Libraries
We are thrilled to announce that LPM recently received a formal Certificate of Recognition from the Ethiopian Archives and Library Services, which operates under the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Even though the certificate mistakenly lists 24 books for both titles, we actually donated 20 copies of the Amharic translation of Christ’s Object Lessons and 24 copies of Pastor Truneh’s autobiography, Tarikie, (My Story). This follows a donation we made some months ago to the Abrehot Library, where we gave 20 copies of Christ’s Object Lessons along with other books like Steps to Christ.
While a piece of paper from these institutions is a wonderful encouragement, the true value of these books is found in the quiet, unseen moments where they change a single life.
The Book Finder: A Story of Answered Prayer
A few months ago, a man visited the Abrehot Library and checked out Christ’s Object Lessons. He was so captivated by its message that he desperately wanted a copy of his own. He searched local bookstores far and wide, but none of them carry it.
One day, he checked the library book out again. As he turned the pages, he noticed something he had not seen before: a phone number stamped inside.
He dialed the number and reached Lizibie Fentaw, LPM’s Circulation Head. Lizibie set up a time for them to meet at a convenient spot to hand him the book.
The man explained that he could not afford the full price all at once. He assumed it would cost over 1000 Birr, so he offered to pay a small down payment and bring the rest later.
Lizibie smiled and told him that the actual price of the book was only 200 Birr. The man could not believe that 200 Birr is the price it deserves for such a book. Then, she handed it to him completely free. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the cost had already been covered.
The man was utterly speechless. He could not believe that the very book his heart longed for was given to him as a free gift of grace. This is just one story we know of, but we believe there are countless others discovering God’s love through these library shelves. These books truly are doing the work of evangelism.
Bringing Hope, Education, and Bright Smiles to Sheger City Prison
Our second Certificate of Recognition comes from a place where hope is often hard to find: the Sheger City Prison, under the Oromiya Prison Commission.
For well over two years, LPM has been operating a special program inside the prison to care for the young children living there with their mothers. We believe every child deserves a childhood and a future.
To make that a reality, LPM covers all the expenses to employ a dedicated teacher, providing these little ones with a proper Kindergarten education. We also step in to provide nutritious lunches and essential hygiene supplies.
We are proud to announce that our first batch of kindergarten students officially graduated with a beautiful ceremony inside the facility. The journey continues with up to 20 nursery-level children now preparing for their own graduation day. A comprehensive report about the graduation ceremony will be shared soon.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Donors
None of this, not a single book on a library shelf, nor a single warm lunch for a child in prison, happens without you.
To our supporters: you are the backbone of Living Parchment Ministry. Whether you lift us up through your good thoughts, sincere prayers, love, or financial gifts, you are answering the prayers of a man searching for God in a library and putting a graduation cap on a child who deserves a chance at life.
Even though these two beautiful certificates of recognition bear the name of Living Parchment Ministry, we know the truth: these honors belong to you. Your generosity, love, and constant prayer made this recognition possible.
Thank you for standing with us and making this kingdom work a reality. We look forward to turning many more pages of this beautiful story together.
When seven men stepped into the baptismal water at Sheger Prison on April 4, it was more than a religious ceremony. It marked the end of a long, often violent road and the beginning of a life they never thought possible. While the world may see “prisoners,” these stories reveal that behind prison walls, hearts are being completely rebuilt for the kingdom of God.
A Fighter’s Rescue
One of the men baptized had spent years being a source of deep heartache for his Seventh-day Adventist wife. He was lost to the world, drinking heavily and bringing chaos into their home. It took a violent fight and a sentence at Sheger Prison to finally snap things into focus. But instead of seeing the bars as a punishment, his perspective shifted completely. He began to see his time behind bars as divine intervention. “God got me to prison to change me,” he now believes.
Freedom from the Streets
There is also the story of a man who spent five years living on the streets, having been on his own since he was a small child. He survived by stealing and pickpocketing mobile phones or whatever else he could grab. Trapped in a cycle of petty crime and a heavy cigarette addiction, he was eventually arrested and sent to Sheger. It was there, behind prison bars, that he truly found Jesus.
He spent long hours in Bible study and constant prayer, waging a war against his old habits and his past. By surrendering his life to Christ in this way, he finally found victory over his addictions. When he finally stepped into the baptismal water, he emerged with a new and vibrant life. He is a living proof that a person’s past never has to dictate their future.
A Dream That Felt Like Home
Life on the streets started early for another young man who had been surviving on his own since he was a boy. Even though his mother was an Adventist, his father was not, so he grew up knowing nothing of God. He survived on the streets through petty crime and pickpocketing while struggling with a heavy addiction to cigarettes.
After an arrest for theft landed him in Sheger Prison, he crossed paths with Lelissa Kenea. Lelissa is a fellow inmate who had found Christ behind bars and is now serving as a Bible teacher for the other prisoners. At first, Lelissa hesitated to even speak with him, but he eventually decided to reach out and offered the young man a spiritual book. Although the young man had zero interest in reading anything religious, Lelissa refused to give up on him.
Everything changed with a dream. One night, this young man saw himself clearly attending the Adventist church located inside the prison walls. The very next morning, he walked into that same church and happened to find Lelissa and another believer just sitting there. That encounter was the spark that started his transformation. Today, his life is completely unrecognizable from the one he once led on the streets.
A Mother’s Prayer and the Prodigal Son
Decades ago in the Ethiopian countryside, a Protestant mother suffered the heartbreaking loss of her twin babies. Traumatized and fearful, she eventually became pregnant again but lived in terror that this child would not survive. One day, while searching for a lost sheep, she prayed desperately for a sign from God. When she finally found the animal, it had just given birth. Seeing the newborn lamb with its mother, she took this as a divine sign: “As this sheep gave birth, I will also give birth.” She praised God and vowed, “I will have my baby in my bosom, and I will dedicate the child to God.”
When her son was born, she joyfully brought him to church for his dedication. However, as the boy grew, he became spoiled, quarrelsome, and prone to violence. He fell in love with a girl, but one day he saw his friend with his hand on her. Enraged, he took a knife and stabbed him. Fearing what his son might do next, his frustrated father handed him over to prison but worked behind the scenes with the victim’s family toward reconciliation. Eventually the charges were dropped, and when he was released, local pastors celebrated his return as if he were the prodigal son.
But the change did not last. He quickly fell back into his old life, joining the Oromo Liberation Army (Shene) and sinking deeper into a heavy cigarette addiction. After being arrested again and sent to Sheger Prison, he began scheming to smuggle and distribute cigarettes inside the walls. He attended various religious services only to hustle for money, even becoming a Muslim for financial gain.
However, everything shifted when he met Pastor Wakuma, the chaplain with the Living Parchment Ministry, who encouraged him to start studying the Bible. He began learning with our Bible teacher, Lelissa. Now baptized, he reflects on his journey with a new perspective. “With the SDAs, I didn’t get any money,” he shared, “but I got Jesus.”
Changing Lives Together
These men are now part of a growing family of 104 believers at Sheger Prison. While we have only shared four of their journeys here, each of the seven men baptized on April 4 represents a life transformed by grace. Their stories remind us that no matter how far someone has run, whether into addiction, violence, or despair, the light of the Gospel can still find them.
We thank our dedicated donors, whose consistent contributions allow Living Parchment Ministry to continue breaking chains and bringing the light of the Gospel to those in darkness.
The work of sharing the Gospel within the walls of Sheger Prison reached a new peak on April 4, 2026, as Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) conducted its fifth baptismal ceremony since beginning its outreach at the facility in 2024. This historic day saw 7 male inmates dedicate their lives to Christ through baptism, bringing the total number of individuals who have joined the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church from Sheger Prison to 104, including five women.
A Legacy of Witnessing
The ceremony was a testament to the power of inmate-led ministry. The baptismal class was taught by Lelissa Kenea, a fellow prisoner who was baptized in a previous LPM ceremony. A former Adventist who rediscovered his faith behind bars, Lelissa has dedicated his life to witnessing to his peers. Alongside Lizibie Fentaw, LPM’s Circulation Head, Lelissa’s mentorship proved vital in preparing the candidates for this sacred step.
One of the newly baptized, Isayas (name changed for privacy), shared a moving testimony. Despite growing up in a Protestant household, he admitted he lacked true biblical knowledge until Lelissa reached out to him. “I feel a joy I have never experienced before,” Isayas remarked. He shared that he feels completely relieved, as his burdens have been lifted by the biblical knowledge he received, allowing him to see a future filled with bright hope.
A Day of Worship and Fellowship
The event was marked by powerful music and spiritual nourishment. Pastor Mekete Tesfaye of the Asko SDA Church officiated the baptism, while Bereket Feleke from the CMC SDA Church delivered a stirring sermon.
The atmosphere was elevated by more than 40 singers from the CMC Church, whose songs of praise resonated through the prison. Following the ceremony, a fellowship lunch was provided for 150 attendees, with the CMC Church generously covering all meal and transportation costs.
Gifts and Outreach
To support their new journey of faith, each of the seven men received a baptismal certificate and a Bible. Special thanks go to Abiy Mulugeta, who donated five Bibles in the Oromiffa language to ensure the word of God is accessible in the inmates’ heart language.
The ministry extended into the afternoon as the CMC singers visited the female prison ward. They shared a sermon, sang songs of hope, and offered prayers for the women. Demonstrating the practical side of Christian love, LPM provided hygiene supplies, including soap and sanitary pads, to all 200 female prisoners in attendance.
Heartfelt Gratitude
Living Parchment Ministry extends its deepest gratitude to the CMC SDA Church for their overwhelming financial and spiritual support in making this day possible. We are also deeply grateful to Wubet and Desalegn, who generously covered their own expenses and provided us with these lovely pictures, saving these wonderful memories for our ministry. We also thank our dedicated donors whose consistent contributions allow LPM to continue breaking chains and bringing the light of the Gospel to those in darkness.
On Friday, April 3, 2026, Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) celebrated a historic milestone: the very first Seventh-day Adventist baptism held inside the Federal Prison Commission Higher Security Center also known as Aba Samuel Higher Security Prison. This event was the direct result of the seeds planted during our first-ever prison health expo held from March 26-29, 2025. It is inspiring for our readers to see these six souls commit to Christ as a product of an effort that began a year ago.
The Journey to the Water
The path to this day has been a steady journey of study. Following the health outreach last March, inmates began studying the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the SDA Church. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Temesgen Alemayehu, who served as the dedicated instructor. Despite a two-month disruption in the middle of the course, Temesgen did a wonderful job ensuring the students were ready. To confirm their understanding, the candidates completed both a written examination and a personal oral interview before the ceremony. Temesgen was deeply appreciated for his unwavering dedication, and in recognition of his service, Sister Zewdnesh Mengistu presented him with a special gift.
A Day of Celebration and Word
The program ran from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Gutu Amanuel shared a stirring message with the baptismal team and the prisoners present. Drawing from the words of Jesus, he reminded the audience that whether a person comes to Christ at the “11th hour” or has been there from the earliest hour, both will be rewarded with the Kingdom of God.
The baptism was conducted by Pastor Sintayehu Mekonnen of the Filwoha Church. Among the six baptized were two brothers, joining the family of God together.
The Power of Truth
The impact of these lessons has been life-changing. Some of the newly baptized men shared that learning the truth about the Sabbath and the biblical correction of the wrong doctrine regarding the immortality of the soul were entirely new concepts that gave them a sense of true freedom.
One particularly dedicated prisoner was set to be baptized on Friday but could not attend due to a scheduling conflict. Despite his family telling him, “When you get released, don’t come to our home; find another place to go,” he remained committed. He finished all his lessons and declared that no matter what comes to his life, he has committed himself to Jesus. He will definitely be baptized in the next round.
Fellowship and Service
The spirit of community was vibrant, with 17 church members from various congregations across Addis Ababa attending. These volunteers were instrumental in taking care of and serving the newly baptized and the rest of the audience.
- Music: Abraham Yoseph rendered a special song, and Hermela, Melat, Kidus, and Elsa also blessed the audience with a special song.
- Hospitality: LPM covered the expense for a celebratory lunch for almost 100 people.
- Gifts: Each newly baptized member received a Bible and a copy of Christ’s Object Lessons. Additionally, a few prison police officers were also given Bibles. Our appreciation goes to Dr. Tizazu Engidaw who bought the Bibles.
A Growing Ministry
LPM continues to be active in prison ministry across the area:
- Aba Samuel: Right now, there are 15 more prisoners at this facility who are currently taking another baptismal class.
- Sheger Prison: LPM has been engaged here as well, where about 100 prisoners have been baptized or joined the church through profession of faith so far.
- Note: At Sheger Prison, another baptism was conducted the following day, Saturday, April 4. We will provide a full report on that event in our next update.
Heartfelt Appreciation
This journey would not have been possible without the vision of Lizibie Fentaw, LPM’s Circulation Head. Lizibie is the person who made all of this happen. She coordinated the original health expo, followed up with the baptismal classes, and managed the efforts that led to these first-ever baptisms at the facility.
Finally, we extend our deepest thanks to our generous and consistent donors. All expenses for the lunch and the gifts were covered by the donations we collected from you. We seriously appreciate our donors; all of this is happening because of your support. Together, we have witnessed the very first SDA baptism inside Aba Samuel Higher Security Prison, and by God’s grace, it will not be the last.
To God be the glory for these new lives in Christ!
