Transformation stories
Real people. Real transformation.
A person. A place. A change that others can now see. These are the stories Purpose Life asked us to tell.
Transformation stories
A person. A place. A change that others can now see. These are the stories Purpose Life asked us to tell.
Evidence
Local fellowships growing into established, multiplying churches across Zambia and beyond.
Explore the workTransformation stories
Addiction Recovery
Emmanuel struggled with alcohol and tobacco and was beginning to lose hope. Through Breathe Free, Grow Free and Trauma Healing lessons, he encountered the message of God’s love and healing. He accepted Jesus Christ, stopped drinking and smoking, was baptized, and joined the Baptist Church. Today, Emmanuel describes himself as free and committed to following Christ.
GROW FREE
For many years, Peter struggled with marijuana and alcohol, affecting his family, health and spiritual life. Through Grow Free and Trauma Healing sessions, he discovered healing and the freedom that comes through Jesus Christ. He found the courage to leave marijuana and alcohol behind, was baptized, and became part of the Baptist Church family.
Addiction Recovery
Mary struggled with alcohol addiction and felt that her life lacked peace. Through Breathe Free and Trauma Healing lessons, she learned about God’s ability to heal broken hearts and restore lives. She surrendered her life to Jesus and found strength to overcome alcohol. Today, she describes herself as a new person in Christ, and after being baptized she joined the Baptist Church.
Addiction Recovery
Richard was trapped in smoking and alcohol abuse and felt empty and discouraged. Through Breathe Free, Grow Free and Trauma Healing lessons, he encountered God’s love and forgiveness and the value of a healthy, Christ-centred life. He stopped smoking and drinking, was baptized and joined the Baptist Church. Today, Richard is grateful for the transformation he has experienced.
GROW FREE
Jessica had used marijuana and tobacco for several years and felt separated from God. Through the Grow Free and Trauma Healing lessons, she learned about God’s healing power and His plan for her life. She accepted Jesus Christ, left her old lifestyle behind, and is now free from marijuana and tobacco. After being baptized, she became part of the Baptist Church community.
Addiction Recovery
Before attending the programme, Lameck struggled with alcohol and lived without direction. Through Breathe Free and Trauma Healing, he learned that God can heal emotional wounds and give new purpose. He chose to follow Christ and quit alcohol completely. Today, his life is marked by peace, hope and fellowship with other believers, and after his baptism he joined the Baptist Church.
Prison Ministry
John had lost hope after years of incarceration. Through Bible study and GROW discipleship he found conviction, healing, and a new calling — and now leads other inmates in prayer and the Word.
Church Planting
A handful of believers met under a tree with no building and no trained leader. Leadership training and pastoral coaching grew that fellowship into an established church with active ministries.
Youth Empowerment
Mary joined youth mentorship and GROW FREE coaching carrying low self-esteem and little direction. She now leads a group of girls and teaches the same lessons that changed her life.
Cross-Border Missions
A cross-border team shared the GROW curriculum and trained leaders in a community that lacked discipleship materials. Youth groups formed, prayer increased, and the work spread to surrounding villages.
Discipleship
Chanda came to faith with almost no biblical foundation. Weekly mentorship and leadership coaching shaped her into a small-group leader who now walks with other new believers.
Addiction Recovery
James spent years trapped in addiction and shame. Through recovery ministry, prayer, and accountable community he found lasting freedom and now helps others take the same path.
Jesus Film
When the Jesus Film was screened outdoors, families stayed late into the night. Follow-up visits planted a fellowship that continues meeting for prayer and the Word.
Church Planting
Mwansa began gathering neighbours under a mango tree after evangelism outreach. With training and coaching the gathering became a church that serves the surrounding farms.
Prison Ministry
Lameck entered prison believing his future was hopeless. Through Bible studies, discipleship and counselling from the Purpose Life team he gave his life to Christ and was baptised inside the prison. After his release the team kept discipling him — and today he pastors the church planted in his village.
Prison Ministry
Kondwani carried guilt, shame and fear into prison and thought God could never forgive him. Through Bible studies he met Jesus, was baptised in prison and found peace for the first time in years. Today he pastors a church planted in his village.
Prison Ministry
Saulo entered prison feeling worthless and rejected. At a prison fellowship meeting he heard that Jesus loved him and died for him. After his release, Purpose Life helped him reconnect with his community and start a fellowship that has grown into a church he now pastors.
Prison Ministry
Tito thought prison was the end of his story. Through the gospel shared by Purpose Life he found a new beginning, was baptised in prison and was mentored after release. Today he shepherds a church in his village.
Prison Ministry
Fourteen men met Jesus in Zambian prisons through the Purpose Life prison ministry. Each was baptised behind bars, discipled after release and now pastors a church planted in his own village. In their own words, this is what changed.
Discipleship
Laban came to Christ in prison through Purpose Life’s prison ministry. After his release he kept growing through discipleship and leadership training — and now shepherds a church planted in his village.
Discipleship
Through Four Fields training, David learned that every disciple is called to make disciples. Since accepting Christ he has shared the gospel with friends and relatives — and found a mission for his life.
Church Planting
John’s family followed traditional beliefs and had no assurance of salvation. When the No Place Left team came to their village, John trusted Christ — and soon his wife and children did too. Today their house is a house church where neighbours gather to worship.
Church Planting
Many in Rosemary’s family had never personally trusted Jesus. Through Discovery Bible Studies and the Commands of Christ, ten of her family members came to faith one by one — and together they now support the new church in their village.
Church Planting
Solomon’s family studied the Commands of Christ and the Church Circle together and came to faith as a household. Their home is now a house church where neighbours gather for prayer, Bible study and worship.
Church Planting
Through No Place Left outreach, men and women across rural Zambia heard the gospel clearly for the first time — and now worship in churches planted in their own villages. Here are some of their voices.
Evangelism
When the No Place Left team visited Mark’s community, he and fifteen members of his extended family put their faith in Jesus. Family conflicts have decreased, prayer has increased — and their homes are now open for worship and outreach.
Evangelism
Mary found Jesus at a Discovery Bible Study led by local believers. Her sisters Ruth, Esther and Grace followed — each through a different No Place Left lesson. Today all four serve in the church planted in their village.
Jesus Film
Sarah had heard about Jesus but never understood who He was. Watching the JESUS film in her village — especially Jesus praying for those who crucified Him — she surrendered her life to Christ that night. Today she serves in the women’s ministry of the new church in her village.
Jesus Film
Shadrick struggled with anger and bitterness for years. Seeing Jesus forgive His enemies in the JESUS film changed him completely. He received Christ, has reconciled with many people and now worships in his village church.
Jesus Film
Abramu had many questions about God. The JESUS film answered them by showing him the life and teachings of Jesus. He became one of the first members of the church planted in his village and now invites others to hear the gospel.
Jesus Film
Many villagers we serve cannot read, but they can watch. Through JESUS film outreaches, these fifteen men and women saw the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in their own language — and now worship in newly planted churches.
GROW FREE
For years, alcohol controlled Jessy’s life and her family suffered. Through GROW FREE and GROW STRONG meetings she found freedom in Christ. She has been free from alcohol for months, her family is restored, and she serves in the church planted in her village.
GROW FREE
Alcohol nearly destroyed Saimon’s marriage. Through GROW FREE classes he learned to surrender his struggles to Christ. Today his home is filled with peace, and his family goes to church together.
GROW FREE
Marijuana controlled much of Sido’s youth, wasting his time, money and opportunities. Through GROW STRONG discipleship he learned to depend on God’s strength. Today he uses his story to help young people avoid destructive choices.
GROW FREE
Fanuel, Sekelani and Malingose each found freedom from alcohol or drugs through GROW FREE and GROW STRONG. Today they serve in their churches and help others find the same freedom.
Addiction Recovery
Nicotine controlled Robert’s life for years and he believed he could never quit. Through BREATHE FREE, prayer and support from church leaders he stopped completely. Today he enjoys better health and encourages others who struggle with addiction.
Addiction Recovery
Timo and Phacksani both wanted to quit tobacco for years but could not do it alone. BREATHE FREE gave them practical steps, prayer support and biblical encouragement — and both are now completely free.
Trauma Healing
Deep emotional wounds left Ruth relying on unhealthy ways of coping. Through GROW HOPE Trauma Healing she learned how God heals broken hearts and found peace. Today she helps other women find hope and healing.
Trauma Healing
Trauma from Lovemore’s past fuelled anger, bitterness and unhealthy habits. Through GROW HOPE Trauma Healing he discovered God’s forgiveness and healing. Jesus restored his joy, and he now helps others with emotional wounds.
Trauma Healing
Emotional pain and disappointment left Susan feeling alone and forgotten. GROW HOPE Trauma Healing helped her see that God had not abandoned her. Today she is full of hope and serves joyfully in her church.
Purpose Life International Ministries