Messay Degusew – Ethiopia

Area Director

Messay grew up in a single parent home with seven siblings. He met Jesus in high school at a Young Life camp. Going home from camp proved to be difficult because his family is Orthodox Christian and did not approve of Young Life. Despite this, Messay continued to stay involved with Young Life and even led as a volunteer for five years. He was offered a position on staff in 2014. He was unable to take it then, as he was wrongfully convicted of a crime for which he spent 16 months in prison. The Lord met him there and used him to bring many prisoners to Christ. Today, Messay serves as area director in Debre Birhan, a city about 120 km northeast of Addis Ababa.