My names are Reverend Pastor Joseph M Kaluba, I am 41 years old. I was born in a small town in Zambia. I was born from a mother who could not hear or speak, and without a father. I am the first born son with two younger sisters. This situation made me grow up in a deep depression. Sometimes I used to ask myself, “Why only me? Why?”

When I was 13 years old my mother passed away. My life became more complicated because my mother, despite being deaf, was able to work so that we could survive. Being the firstborn son, it was now my responsibility to start working so I could look after my two younger sisters. Eventually we moved to my grandmothers. Their lives were not stable as she was a single mother with five children. She had a farm. If I didn’t work on the farm, I and my two sisters didn’t get food. This made me work hard like a slave so that we could eat.

Despite all that, our grandmother used to love church. That made me, at the age of 14, decide to follow Jesus Christ and make Him my Lord and my Savior. I came to realize that true satisfaction comes from the Lord. I become strong in the things of God and I eventually became a choir master. Later I joined the intercession prayer group. Concerning my educational background, it was really difficult many times for me to attend school because I used to work on the farm. By the mercy and love of God, I eventually finished my high school.

Because of my love and commitment to the work of God, I was privileged by one man who saw how committed I was to the things of God that in 2005 he took me to the university until I graduated in commerce and administration. Then after seeing my dedication to God, he took me to a Bible college. After 3 years I got my certificate and diploma in theology. This allowed me to become a pastor of a church where I have now been for eight years. Since then I found out about The Victory Tips Program and I am now a Peer Support Worker. I feel my life experience and my education helps be to a good peer support worker.

What I have come to realize in life, that any challenges that we pass through always have a good reward for us if you hold on to Jesus Christ who is our hope of glory. And that we can live a Victorious life with Jesus Christ.

Shalom Shalom

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV