Missionary Profile - Fikadu

In 1970 Fikadu was born in a military compound. His parents divorced when he was only two. He was kidnapped by his father and taken to Addis. Life with his father and stepmother was very difficult.
At seven Fikadu began attending an Orthodox church and desired to enter the priesthood. Because of his stepmother he could not go to church. Seeking revenge against his stepmother, Fikadu began to learn witchcraft but it didn't work. Stopped twice from going down a path of his own choosing, he began to feel God’s leading.
When Fikadu was twelve he saw a vision of injera (Ethiopian bread) coming down from heaven for him to eat. Years later a cousin shared Christ with him, and he believed.
Fikadu was fifteen when his father died, and he began working as a laborer. After high-school he worked odd jobs for food. Soon Fikadu began serving the Lord full time although he did not receive any compensation. “Once all I had for an offering was a pencil, so I gave it to the Lord. I spent much time in prayer because of my needs and eventually IOI support became available,” Fikadu shared. Now Fikadu is physically and spiritually healthy. He praises the Lord for IOI’s support so that he has the food he needs. His extended family still does not support him but God has given him a family in the church and with the fellow ministers of IOI.
Fikadu has been working in children’s ministry for several years but recently he is spending the majority of his time church planting.
Fikadu works closely with Negash who has said, “He is my right hand man.” He has been very instrumental in starting at least half a dozen churches in the Oromo region and in Addis.
Fikadu finished Bible Theological School this summer and has proven to be an able teacher of Scripture. He said that he has been thankful for good teaching from IOI and has been using Dr. Padelford’s booklet “The Mystery of Christ” for teaching and discipleship.
Fikadu often works behind the scenes as a vital member of a church planting team. He has seen many come to Christ in the last two years. He is also thankful for the great peace that God has given him in the ministry.
Fikadu is 37 now and has been praying for a godly wife for many years. He asks that we join him in this prayer and also asks for prayer that he would do what God shows him to do with youth and in the countryside.
Fekadu is a member at Repi KHC, along with Negash and Matteous. He has been faithfully serving Christ for many years and has been with IOI since September 1999.