Missionary Profile – Keriya Mohammed

Keriya Mohammed – mobilizer in Ethiopia

I grew up in northern Ethiopia in a Muslim family as the third of four children. As a child, I regularly attended the mosque to learn how to read the Quran. When I was eight years old, I joined a child development programme run by Compassion International. It was there that I first began hearing Bible stories and learning about Jesus.

Those stories stayed with me. I became curious and started reading the Bible privately. When I was twelve years old, while walking to a tutorial class one day, I experienced a deep inner conviction that Jesus was calling me to follow Him. It wasn’t anything dramatic, just a deep inner conviction. That moment marked the beginning of my personal journey of faith.

As I grew in my faith, the church community played an important role in my life. I began serving as a Sunday school teacher, sharing Bible stories with younger children. Later, I pursued theological studies and had the opportunity to study Christian–Muslim relations in Kenya, which helped equip me to engage thoughtfully with people from different religious backgrounds.

Over the years, God has allowed me to serve in different ministry roles, including Bible translation work. I recently married a man who is serving as a minister in our church, and I am working as a mobilizer with Africa Inland Mission. I have the privilege of helping mobilize Ethiopian churches to pray, send, and participate in reaching communities that have little or no access to the gospel.

One of the greatest joys of this ministry has been seeing God awaken a heart for the nations in people close to me. My husband and I are part of a Bible study group in our neighbourhood, and as we shared about God’s heart for unreached people groups, the members became deeply encouraged. What began as a conversation grew into a commitment to pray regularly for communities that have little or no access to the gospel. Seeing our small group embrace God’s global mission has been a powerful reminder that when people understand his heart for the nations, they are eager to take part, starting with faithful prayer.