My name is Aynalem Mersie. I am blessed with a devoted wife who has been my lifelong partner and a loving mother to our children. Together, we have shared 35 years of marriage and the joy of raising three children. Through our eldest daughter, who gave birth to our first grandchild, we have also experienced the joy and privilege of becoming grandparents.

In this brief autobiography, I seek to share the story of my upbringing, family, education, professional experiences, and ministry journey.

I was born and raised in Addis Ababa. I am the eldest of four children, with two younger brothers and one younger sister. Although both of my parents are still alive, I did not grow up with them. Instead, I was raised by my grandmother, whose love, care, and guidance shaped my early life. My grandmother was everything to me, and I will never forget the day she passed away on October 5, 1991, at the age of 75. Through her dedication and sacrifice, I was able to receive my education at Migbaresenay orphanage from 1972 to 1982 (Ethiopian Calendar). Before entering the orphanage, I grew up in the neighborhood formerly known as Ras Hailu Meda (near Medhanialem School or ‘Medish’). My childhood and school years at the orphanage remain among my most unforgettable memories.

As mentioned earlier, God blessed us with a family of five. Over the years, our family has grown, and my wife and I now have the joy of being grandparents. With the addition of our eldest daughter’s husband and our granddaughter, our family has expanded to seven members. Our children have earned Bachelor's degrees in diverse fields of study and continue to prepare themselves for the unique callings God has entrusted to them. One of my greatest joys is that God has blessed me with a family united by a deep reverence for Him. Each member of our family seeks to love and honor the Lord. As a father, I consider raising a family grounded in faith to be among my life's greatest blessings, privileges, and accomplishments. My wife has devoted herself to raising our children, caring for our home, and serving our community. She is a woman whose life is defined by faithful action rather than words, and the legacy of our 35 years of marriage speaks for itself. I have watched her nurture our children from birth to adulthood, guiding them with wisdom, love, and unwavering commitment. Just as my grandmother was the defining influence in my early life, my wife has been my steadfast partner and greatest blessing. The words of Psalm 128:3 beautifully capture the blessing of my family: “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.”

Alongside my faith and family, education has played a foundational role in shaping my life and ministry. My pursuit of knowledge has been a lifelong journey, contributing to my personal growth and equipping me for service to others. My educational journey began with my primary education (Grades 1–6) at Hibret Belijinet and Tigil Lenetsanet Schools. I continued my middle school education (Grades 7–8) at Miazia 23 Junior Secondary School and completed my secondary education at Higher 12 General Secondary School. I later pursued higher education at Kotebe College of Teachers' Education, where I earned a diploma and bachelor's degree in Language and Literature. I also received an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Rights, Classroom, and School Management from Lund University in Sweden, and an Advanced Diploma in Theology from Tibeb Hibret Bible College. Most recently, I earned a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Management from the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST).

Throughout my life, I have participated in numerous training programs both within Ethiopia and internationally, many of which have profoundly shaped my personal and professional development. I believe that education is one of the greatest forces in human life. A person without knowledge may breathe and move but lacks direction and purpose. As Scripture reminds us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me...” (Hosea 4:6). Looking back on my journey, I recognize that the knowledge I have gained has been the foundation and anchor that has guided my life. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of professional roles. I spent more than ten years as an educator, teaching at institutions including Hibret Belijinet Primary School, Hope Organization School, and Karamara Middle School. From 2000 to 2010, I served in Progynist, a nonprofit organization, where I worked in public relations and later as an Education Program Project Manager. I consider myself fortunate to have worked under leaders who not only managed others but also led by example through their dedication, integrity, and commitment to service. Their influence shaped my understanding that “work is honorable.” One of the teachings of Jesus that continues to inspire me is: “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17). I would like to express my deep appreciation to my former leaders, including my grandmother and mentors such as Mr. Mehari Tegene, Mr. Bekure Kebede, and Ms. Netsanet Mengistu, whose lives demonstrated the values of hard work, integrity, and ethical leadership. They were not merely supervisors; they were examples of character and service. Their lives were marked by a profound reverence for God and a commitment to treating others with dignity and respect. I never witnessed insults, destructive criticism, or actions that diminished others. I hold them in the highest regard and consider them the kind of leaders whose character and values would serve as an example in faith-based institutions. The years I spent under their leadership were invaluable, becoming a formative school of learning that shaped my understanding of leadership, service, and ethical responsibility.

Serving God is the reason for my existence. The One I serve is Jesus Christ, who set me free from bondage through His death so that I might dedicate my life to serving Him. I cannot imagine a life apart from serving God, for serving Him is the very purpose and meaning of my life. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in 1996 and completed my foundational discipleship class at Gulele Full Gospel Church (formerly located at Kebele 11 Hall and now known as Mobil Full Gospel Church near St. Paul’s Hospital). Since then, I have faithfully served the Lord for nearly three decades. The time when I came to know the Lord remains one of the most significant and memorable seasons of my life. It continues to fill me with wonder, for what could be more remarkable than being brought from darkness into His marvelous light? After spending one year at Full Gospel Church, I devoted the following 29 years of my life to serving within Mission for Nation International Ministry (Church). Of my 29 years of service in this ministry, at least 18 were spent serving while also working. I am grateful for those whom God used in my spiritual journey, the leaders at Full Gospel Church who guided me through the foundations of salvation, and the senior apostle at Mission for Nation International Ministry (Church), through whose ministry I continued to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word. Throughout my years of serving the Lord, I have continued to contribute through various media platforms. This has included delivering messages through GMM Television’s program ‘Yemaleda Sink’, sharing a series of messages on Facebook that address both spiritual and social matters, publishing the devotional book Jiret (“Stream”) for the benefit of the body of Christ, and participating in other initiatives that continue to serve the church and its community.

As I reflect on the years of ministry God has entrusted to me, I remain mindful that the work of serving His Kingdom continues. Looking ahead, I carry a deep desire to contribute to one of the Church’s greatest needs which is unity among believers. Unity is an expression of love, and love is the foundation of unity. Scripture reminds us: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). Much of the brokenness we see, from within our homes to the wider society, is rooted in division. If the Lord grants me the opportunity and the years ahead, I would be honored to dedicate myself to initiatives that bring believers together and strengthen the unity of the Church.

In closing, I want to give thanks to the One who has been the center of my life story: God the Father. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for me through His death, I have received the gift of life. Through the Holy Spirit, who came to dwell within us as the guarantee of our inheritance, I have been sustained throughout this journey. He is the One who has made this story possible and allowed me to be part of it. May His name be honored and glorified!