Personal Testimonials from the Sheger Prison Baptism
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen 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.
Living Parchment’s 5th Sheger Prison Baptism Brings Total Members to 104
Reading Time: 8 minutesThis 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 Historic Milestone: The First SDA Baptism at Aba Samuel Higher Security Prison
Reading Time: 5 minutesThis 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.
Historic First: Women Embrace Faith in Sheger Prison Baptism Event
Reading Time: 5 minutesIn a powerful demonstration of God’s redeeming grace, Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) conducted its third baptismal service within the Sheger Prison complex on the outskirts of Addis Ababa in March 2025, bringing spiritual transformation and hope to numerous inmates. The significant event saw 17 male prisoners baptized by immersion and, in a historic first for LPM’s ministry at the prison, 5 female prisoners embraced the Seventh-day Adventist faith through profession of faith. The service, officiated by Pastor Wakuma Wakgari, the Seventh-day Adventist church pastor for Sheger City Prison, marked a milestone in prison ministry, reaching even high-level offenders with the gospel’s transformative power. Zewdu Seblework, Country Director of Living Parchment Ministry (LPM), delivered an inspiring sermon that deeply impacted all attendees. His message offered particular guidance and encouragement to those baptized, strengthening their commitment to their new faith. A Day of Spiritual Milestones Breaking Chains of the Past Pastor Wakuma’s ministry within Sheger Prison goes beyond baptism, encompassing ongoing Bible studies aimed at fostering positive behavioral changes among the inmates, emphasizing rehabilitation through Scripture. Notably, those who were baptized came from diverse backgrounds, including former Seventh-day Adventists seeking recommitment and individuals who previously practiced witchcraft and traditional worship. This latest event brings the total number of conversions through LPM’s impactful prison ministry at Sheger, which serves over 3,500 male and 300 female inmates, to over 80. Pioneering Women’s Ministry The 5 female converts—a historic first for Sheger Prison’s Adventist outreach—were nurtured by Ayantu Abera (Pastor Wakuma’s wife) and Lizbie Fentaw, whose dedicated mentorship paved the way for their decisions. Ayantu and Lizbie created an environment of understanding and spiritual growth that resonated deeply with these women. Their commitment paved the way for these significant decisions, marking a new chapter in the impact of faith within the female inmate population of Sheger Prison. Around 3,500 male prisoners and 300 female prisoners are held in Sheger Prison, where many children and infants live alongside their mothers without separation. Among them are numerous children who lack access to basic services. In response, LPM has hired a full-time teacher who provides early childhood education for children aged 1.6 to 6 years, as well as tutoring for those above 6, ensuring they receive learning and nursery support. [Read more about the children here.] How to Support Living Parchment Ministry extends its sincere gratitude to all who have supported its ministry within Sheger Prison. It also warmly invites continued partnership from those who feel called to join in this vital work. To further support Living Parchment Ministry’s efforts, tax-deductible donations can be made conveniently via: For those in Ethiopia wishing to contribute directly to its local accounts, donations can be made through: Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in helping it expand the reach of its ministry and continue bringing hope and transformation. For more information, please visit LPM’s official page at Living Parchment Ministry.
Sheger Prison Baptism: 28 Lives Changed as Prisoners Give Their Lives to Jesus
Reading Time: 5 minutesSheger Prison Celebrates Second Baptism On October 12, 2024, Living Parchment Ministry (LPM) held its second baptism ceremony at Sheger Prison, where 28 prisoners embraced a new life by giving their hearts to Jesus. Pastor Wakuma Wagari, hired by LPM for the prison ministry, led the baptism. Some of those baptized were formerly involved in witchcraft and traditional worship, underscoring the depth of change this new commitment represents. Each of the baptized prisoners received a Bible and other meaningful gifts to support their spiritual journey. Of the 28 individuals baptized, 19 were baptized by immersion, while 9 renewed their covenant by Profession of Faith. Following the baptism, 18 additional prisoners expressed a desire to study the Bible and prepare themselves for baptism, inspired by the commitment they witnessed. Fellowship and Celebration The baptism was followed by a special lunch, attended by around 150 people, including other prisoners who joined the celebration. This sense of fellowship encouraged several others to seek Bible study classes, motivated by the transformation evident among their peers. Focus on Character Transformation LPM’s primary mission is to work toward genuine character transformation among prisoners. The focus is not only on baptism but on deep, ongoing development of character traits such as honesty, patience, kindness, and respect for others. Pastor Wakuma, along with his wife Ayantu Abera, will guide prisoners through this journey, encouraging them to live out these values in their daily interactions and relationships. LPM believes this inner transformation is the key to lasting change, helping each individual live a life of purpose and integrity within the prison and beyond. Ongoing Spiritual Guidance Pastor Wakuma teaches baptismal classes twice a week at Sheger Prison and is currently leading a study on the Book of Daniel. He also conducts full Sabbath worship programs. A new baptismal class for women has resumed, with Ayantu working alongside Lizibie Fentaw, a dedicated lay evangelist who has felt a deep burden for prisoners and prison ministry for years. Lizibie brings her experience and compassion to the women’s Bible and baptismal classes, while Pastor Wakuma also supports these efforts, nurturing the spiritual growth of the women as they prepare for baptism. Expanding the Ministry LPM aims to extend its prison ministry to other facilities, bringing hope and transformation to more lives. The Sheger Prison baptism, which cost 40,000 birr (around 350 USD), was made possible thanks to generous donations from supporters. LPM expresses deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. How to Support To support Living Parchment Ministry’s work, tax-deductible donations can be made via Zelle at 972-876-9135 or through PayPal here. Donations to LPM accounts in Ethiopia can be made through Abyssinia Bank (148851174). Every contribution helps expand the ministry’s reach. For more information, visit LPM’s official page at Living Parchment Ministry. To read this report in Amharic, click here.
Living Parchment Ministry Makes History with First Baptism at Sheger Prison
Reading Time: 3 minutesOn April 27, 2024, Living Parchment Ministry achieved a historic milestone by conducting the first-ever baptism within the confines of Sheger Prison. In a remarkable display of faith and outreach, a total of 31 prisoners embraced the Seventh-day Adventist Church, out of which 20 of them joined the church through profession of faith and 11 received the sacred ceremony of baptism by immersion. Some of the 20 new members were former Adventists who had returned to the faith. Pastor Edossa officiated the baptismal ceremony, welcoming back those who had previously strayed from the Adventist faith as well as new believers. Notably, a Muslim convert who diligently studied the Bible independently and completed baptismal classes with the ministry’s evangelist was among those baptized. Each baptized individual received a certificate commemorating their special day, along with flowers and books as tokens of encouragement. The ministry’s commitment to holistic care extends beyond spiritual guidance, as it also provides tutorial and educational support for children of female prisoners, distributes essential hygiene products to women, and offers clothing and health screenings. Living Parchment Ministry’s dedication to serving the incarcerated community is evident in its multifaceted approach. With a new group of 35 prisoners actively participating in weekly baptismal class under the guidance of the prison chaplain, the ministry’s impact continues to grow. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the unwavering commitment of Living Parchment Ministry to reaching those in need.
