Literature Evangelism
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.
The Filwoha SDA Church Joint Choir recently continued its musical tour, repeating the performance of the cantata “No Greater Love” at two distinct venues: the JPII TVET Institute on May 22 and St. Matthew Anglican Church on May 29. These performances mark the second and third stops on the tour following the initial presentation at the Yared Music School.
The Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) literature distribution team, consisting of Lizibie Fentaw, Isayas Denboba, and Israel Getachew, served at both locations to share publications with attendees. The distributed literature included Steps to Christ, Christ’s Object Lessons (COL), Giziew Magazine, and various other English magazines. At both venues, the music drew audiences consisting largely of individuals who had never been exposed to the Adventist message.
JPII TVET Institute (May 22)
The presentation at the institute was highly received by both the administration and the students.
- Both the director of the institute and the music department director delivered speeches, formally inviting the choir to return for future performances.
- The director noted that they intentionally did not invite their own institutional choir due to limited seating capacity, expressing regret over that decision. He stated an intention to host the choir again in their larger hall.
- The music director expressed amazement at the presentation, stating that the choir sang the gospel in music from start to end, which was a style of music they had never heard before.
- Publications were distributed to music students and other attendees, who accepted them gladly, and almost everybody in attendance received the books.
St. Matthew Anglican Church (May 29)
- Prior to the concert, Lizibie and Isayas stood outside the church to invite people into the musical presentation.
- Attendees expressed extreme satisfaction with the program. Many remarked that they had never heard this style of music before, noting they initially expected typical, highly celebrated Pentecostal music rather than this specific type of gospel oriented choral work.
Networking and Ministry Impact
Following the presentation at St. Matthew Church, the choir leadership arranged a reception where cake, pie, and juices were served. This social hour provided a relaxed setting for the team and attendees to talk, reflect on the presentation, network, and engage in further witnessing. The environment also allowed the team extra time to hand out additional literature.
Overall, the books were received with great appreciation, and not a single publication offered was rejected. Reports indicate that news of the Filwoha choir’s tour has begun spreading to other non-SDA churches, with members encouraging one another to attend future performances to listen, learn, and evaluate the singing style for themselves.
LPM extends its sincere gratitude to all the donors whose financial support covered the expenses of these books, as their contributions directly enabled this entire distribution effort.
On Sabbath, May 16, the Filwoha Seventh-day Adventist Church Adventurer Club held a special literature distribution day.
The idea for the outreach came from Adventurer leader Israel Getachew. To make sure everything went smoothly, Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) Circulation Head Lizibie Fentaw and Rebeka Bayissa helped manage the children throughout the day.
In total, 17 to 20 kids between the ages of 6 and 12 took part in the event.
The children distributed a variety of books and magazines, including tracts on the State of the Dead, Christ’s Object Lessons, and Preparing for the Final Crisis. They also handed out copies of Giziew Magazine and older issues printed under its previous name, Parousia.
The group started by giving out tracts right outside the church. After that, they walked from the church toward the Ghion Hotel, singing songs together along the way. The children were very energetic and stayed happy and enthusiastic during the whole walk.
Like the stories in the Bible where disciples tried to send children away from Jesus, a few people on the street rejected the materials. However, most people were very glad to receive the literature from the kids.
After finishing the distribution, the children said they were very happy they got to participate and that the experience was fun for them.
This outreach was made possible by the generous support of Living Parchment Ministry donors. The ministry is very grateful for your continued help in making these programs happen.
Yesterday evening, the Yared Music School hosted a performance of the cantata No Greater Love, presented by the Filwoha SDA Church Joint Choir. The music hall was packed to capacity, with an estimated audience of 150 people or more, including many local music professionals and students who came to appreciate the choral work.
A Powerful Presentation of the Gospel
The concert itself was a nonstop 50 minute presentation, seamlessly blending music, live narrations, and a slide show depicting the life of Jesus. The program beautifully illustrated how God has spoken to humanity through different means across history, ultimately revealing Himself through His son Jesus Christ, who came to live, die, and resurrect. It brought the evening to a powerful close by reminding everyone that there is final victory for all who follow Him, because He has defeated death and given us eternal life.
Following the performance, the conductor, Zewdu Seblework, shared his joy, saying, “Praise the Lord! It was an excellent presentation.” He noted that the hall’s acoustics were excellent and added that the choir is already preparing and set to sing at other venues across Addis Ababa in the coming days.
Literature Distribution and Ministry Impact
Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) was present for the event, led by our Circulation Head, Lizibie Fentaw, and her team members, Israel Getachew and Isayas Denboba. Throughout the evening, the team shared a variety of spiritual resources with the attendees. The books distributed included Christ’s Object Lessons, Steps to Christ, The Desire of Ages, Preparation for the Final Days, and Giziew Magazine: America in Bible Prophecy, along with several tracts.
The books were received with genuine gratitude. One particularly encouraging moment occurred when a man approached Lizibie’s team to share his experience. He had received a copy of Christ’s Object Lessons at a previous concert and told the team how much the book had helped him, describing it as a life changing book. He was eager to take home additional books that evening to continue his study. Everyone who was offered these books gladly accepted them.
Recognition of Quality and Legacy
The musical performance itself left a strong impression. Many guests commented that they had never heard music of this quality before. The music professionals in attendance specifically noted the high level of discipline and effort shown by the choir, acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to perform such a piece.
Yeshumnesh Taye, the Vice Executive Dean of the Yared School of Music at Addis Ababa University, made an opening remark highlighting that the choir has a rich history spanning over forty years, close to fifty years, and has endured through generations. She noted that the choir did not stop when earlier generations passed; instead, newer members join each time to continue the legacy. She emphasized that it is not simply a choir that sings, but a highly disciplined and determined group dedicated to rigorous practice.
Supported by a Dedicated Community
This book outreach was made possible by the incredible generosity of the donors of Living Parchment Ministry. We give special praise to our donors because it is through their financial support that we are able to provide these books to the public for free. We also acknowledge Zebib Gebremariam and other supporters who wish to remain anonymous for their specific contributions to this distribution effort.
Observations on Strategic Outreach
Concerned church members approached the LPM media team to share their reflections regarding the reach of the event. They noted that the concert was not promoted as effectively as it should have been, which limited its potential to attract a wider audience. In particular, they expressed surprise that the event was not even advertised on the church’s own Telegram channel or other media outlets. Furthermore, the advertisement was handled late, with a promotional poster appearing only on the day of the event through a third-party Telegram channel completely unaffiliated with either the church or the music school.
These members expressed that such a high quality program is one of the most effective outreach methods available. One individual observed that the people in attendance were exactly the demographic that might not usually accept an invitation to a traditional church service. Because this event attracted a secular and professional audience, there was a strong consensus that the church and its media departments should have promoted it much earlier and more broadly to fully capitalize on the opportunity to share the gospel with the wider public.
It was a successful night of sharing both music and literature, leaving the team with much to reflect on as we look for ways to grow our ministry’s impact. We remain deeply grateful to the donors of Living Parchment Ministry, whose unwavering support makes this vital outreach possible.
Photography by Wubet Getachew
On this Good Friday, April 10, the spirit of sacrifice was tangible both on stage and in the streets. For half a century, the Filwoha SDA Church joint choir has marked this day with a sacred concert, drawing attendees from every walk of life and diverse religious backgrounds. This year’s milestone event, titled “No Greater Love,” served as the perfect backdrop for a wonderful literature outreach led by the Living Parchment team.
Under the leadership of Circulation Head Lizibie Fentaw, the Living Parchment team was out in full force, ensuring that every guest left with more than just a melody in their hearts. Lizibie and her dedicated team approached guests with warmth, distributing life-changing publications including:
- The Desire of Ages
- Christ’s Object Lesson
- Giziew Magazine (America in Bible Prophecy edition)
- Various tracts and outreach materials
The youth were also central to the mission. Energetic children lined the walkways, handing out tracts and inviting passersby to explore the messages of hope. By the end of the event, it was reported that every single guest had received a book, a magazine, or both.
The impact was immediate, as many recipients expressed deep gratitude and promised to read the materials. A standout moment involved a young man from the media industry who had previously received books from our Christmas concert distribution. He returned today with a thankful heart, stating that he now has questions and wants to talk. He has already scheduled an appointment to discuss his questions as a powerful testament to the “silent preachers” at work.
This successful mission was made possible by the unwavering support of our donors. A special “thank you” goes out to those who participated in the “3 for $5” challenge. Your generosity turned these pages into a reality for hundreds of seekers today.
It is not too late to help! You can still support the “3 for $5” challenge and fuel our next distribution by visiting our donation page at https://livingparchment.org/donate/.
The music and the printed word joined together to leave an eternal echo in every heart.
Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) completed a successful series of book distributions across Addis Ababa, bringing transformative Christ-centered literature to prominent individuals, authors, and the public.
Following recent efforts to bring literature to influential figures in Ethiopia, LPM is pleased to report positive receptions from leading Ethiopian figures.
Ermiyas Amelga Commits to Reading LPM Materials
Renowned business personality and author Ermiyas Amelga was recently presented with copies of books from Living Parchment Ministry. It was indicated that he received the materials with great gratitude, admiration, and a strong commitment to reading them, recognizing the value of the literature provided.
Author Alemayehu Gelagay Receives Books at March 28 Ceremony
On March 28, 2026, acclaimed author Alemayehu Gelagay hosted a book signing ceremony at Jafar book Store. During this event, he was presented with copies of Christ’s Object Lessons, The Desire of Ages, and a copy of Giziew magazine by Lizibie Fentaw, Head of Circulation for LPM.
Accepting the gifts, Alemayehu expressed his eagerness, telling Lizibie, “I will read them and I will tell you what I’ve found.”
In addition to the author, many other participants at the signing event were offered and gladly accepted literature from the ministry, expressing deep gratitude for the resources.
Widespread Gratitude at Dagmawi Assefa Book Launch
In a separate, recent book signing ceremony where author Dagmawi Assefa inaugurated his new book, LPM was present to facilitate the distribution of literature. Notable individuals, including Dr. Wodajeneh, Firkte Desalegn and numerous well-known artists and authors, received copies of the ministry’s publications.
Dagmawi engaged in a positive discussion with Lizibie Fentaw, expressing, “I am very thankful to receive such lovely gifts,” highlighting the perceived quality and impact of the materials.
LPM’s Ongoing Mission and Appreciation
These efforts are part of a broader, consistent mission by Living Parchment Ministry to distribute God’s wisdom across Ethiopia.
“We are incredibly thankful for all the donors and partners who are helping us make these things happen,” said Lizibie. “The warm reception from these esteemed authors and personalities shows a deep hunger for meaningful literature in our community.”
Living Parchment Ministry aims to share Christ-centered literature, translating and distributing works such as Christ’s Object Lessons (Amharic) and The Great Controversy and Ministry of Healing (both in Oromiffa) into local Ethiopian languages to reach everyday people with the gospel.
