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"Have you ever experienced what sitting under consistent bible teaching can do? Today, Pastor Ackson Kaonga shares his inspiring journey of faith, ministry growth in Zambia, and commitment to biblical truth on Plays on Word Radio."

The faithfulness of God shines brightly across continents as Pastor Fred Kenney, Jr., a.k.a Pastor Teddy, welcomes Pastor Ackson Kaonga from Zambia to Plays on Word Radio. Fresh from the East Coast Pastors Conference in Philadelphia, where their friendship began years earlier, this conversation reveals how God is working powerfully in Southern Africa.

Pastor Ackson shares the remarkable story of Calvary Chapel Ndola, which he's led since 2007. What began with a church full of "noisemakers" - young children who seemed disruptive - has transformed into a congregation where those same youth have grown into devoted followers of Christ, now serving in ministry. "As I look at them, I see future leaders in the church," Ackson reflects, recognizing God's patient work across generations.

Amid a landscape filled with false prophets misleading many Zambians, Pastor Ackson's commitment to consistent, straightforward biblical teaching has become a beacon for truth-seekers. "When you teach God's Word consistently, at some point people begin to follow, because out there, force cannot be sustained," he explains. Without gimmicks or spectacle, the simple power of Scripture attracts those hungering for authentic faith.

The most moving moment comes when Pastor Ackson shares his personal journey to faith. Born Catholic, he attended a Pentecostal service at age 16 out of curiosity, misunderstanding an altar call as an invitation to receive the Eucharist. Weeks later, on January 31, 1979, he finally understood the Caribbean missionary's message clearly, recognized himself as "a sinner, a candidate of hell," and experienced genuine conversion that filled him with God's peace and joy. Yet his path to pastoral ministry took decades, requiring divine persistence to overcome his resistance until he surrendered fully, realizing "I will never be happy in life until I obey God."

Join the worldwide prayer effort for this faithful ministry. Reach out through Plays on Word Radio to connect with Pastor Ackson and discover how you might participate in what God is doing in Zambia through consistent prayer and potential partnership.

Calvary Chapel Ndola Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Calvary-Chapel-of-Ndola/100068029895805/

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"James Serpico continues to share his journey from addiction to redemption, revealing how God transformed his heart, after completing their recovery program, and gave him purpose as the Director of Programming at America's Keswick."

• Started experimenting with alcohol at age 15 to alleviate social anxiety and fear
• Found painkillers in college which "killed" both physical and emotional pain
• Maintained weekend use for 10 years before progressing to daily dependence
• Eventually needed substances just to feel normal, not to get high
• Had a life-changing car accident on the NJ Turnpike after using contaminated drugs
• Called 911 and admitted his addiction, marking the beginning of his recovery
• Entered America's Keswick recovery program two weeks after the accident
• Transitioned from colony member to staff to Director of Programming
• Experienced significant loss including his father and mentor Robert Hayes
• Discovered that vulnerability and dependence on God are his true strengths
• Now uses his experience to help others find recovery through Christ

If you're struggling with addiction or know someone who is, James's story demonstrates that recovery is possible. Reach out to America's Keswick or another Christian recovery program to find the help you need.

Addiction Recovery at Keswick - https://addictionrecovery.org/
Barbara's Place - https://addictionrecovery.org/barbarasplace/relaunch/
America's Keswick - https://americaskeswick.org/

Does any of today's podcast resonate with you? Let us know here:
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To Support Plays On Word Radio and Plays On Word Theater, please visit:
https://playsonword.networkforgood
The Plays On Word Theater team is setting up new performance dates! Reach out with inquiries: https://playsonword.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/event-submission-form

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"How might acknowledging our weakness open the door to strength through faith-centered transformation? Today James Serpico will tell us how God transformed him from broken addict into THE America’s Keswick’s “Director of Fun”!"

James Serpico never expected to become the "Director of Fun" at America's Keswick. Six years ago, he was just another broken man entering their addiction recovery program, assigned to Room 18, top bunk. Today, he leads programming at the very place that transformed his life.

With raw honesty, James shares how childhood instability and his father's death when he was 13 left him desperately insecure. By 15, he discovered alcohol could temporarily erase his social anxiety. "I don't have those fears anymore," he thought, setting him on a dangerous path of substance exploration. In college, he found prescription painkillers particularly effective: "I didn't have a broken bone," James explains, "I had a broken heart, and it felt like it healed."

The facade crumbled after a car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike became his wake-up call. At America's Keswick — a 127-year-old faith-based recovery program in the Pine Barrens — James encountered a radically different approach to healing. "We are 100% believers that the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what changes a person, period," he explains. With no phones, TV, or outside distractions for four months, residents immerse themselves in Scripture and community.

Through trauma counseling, James began replacing destructive lies with God's truth that he is "accepted, approved, loved" regardless of circumstances. This ongoing transformation exemplifies a profound spiritual paradox: "The weaker that we understand ourselves to be, the stronger and more confident we actually become," because our strength comes not from ourselves but from Christ within.

For those struggling with addiction or supporting loved ones on their journey, James's testimony offers tangible hope that lasting change is possible not through willpower alone, but through heart transformation. Learn more about America's Keswick's men's and women's programs, or support their work by joining the Family Freedom Walk fundraiser on May 10th (11am-2pm).

Addiction Recovery at Keswick - https://addictionrecovery.org/
Barbara's Place - https://addictionrecovery.org/barbarasplace/relaunch/
America's Keswick - https://americaskeswick.org/

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