Zambia Hunt

At Central Africa Baptist University (CABU), we understand that every student carries a unique calling. Yet sometimes, a student’s life and mission touch our hearts in such profound ways that their impact extends far beyond their time with us. Peter Zulu was such a student – a young man whose presence highlighted a vital mission field often overlooked in our churches.

A Heart Transformed by God’s Love

Peter Zulu was more than a first-year student at our university – he was a beacon of God’s love and grace. His journey of faith began in 2004 at Lusaka Bible Baptist Deaf Church, where he first encountered the gospel message. The following year, after hearing Pastor Mutunda’s message, Peter made the decision that would change the course of his life – he put his faith in Jesus Christ. His testimony was clear and unwavering: “I thank God my life changed; I can’t go back to the world.”

A Vision Born from Personal Experience

What made Peter’s ministry vision so compelling was its roots in his own experience. He understood firsthand the challenges faced by the deaf community in accessing the gospel. His burden for this ministry emerged from a deep understanding of the need and God’s heart for the deaf. As he powerfully testified during a CABU local church ministry visit: “Many people [in our country] do not love the deaf, but God loves the deaf! I want all the deaf to have the same opportunity I had to learn about this love. That is why I’m studying at CABU and why I want to become a missionary.”

Living His Calling at CABU

In our Bible diploma program, Peter pursued his calling to become a missionary church planter with remarkable dedication. Those who knew him remember his warm smile, his eagerness to serve, and his signature response to any question – “Thank you, OK…” – which became endeared to all who knew him.

Peter’s presence in chapel was a testimony to his devotion – always in the front row, Bible in hand, fully engaged with every sermon. In the classroom, his thoughtful questions revealed not just academic understanding but a deep grasp of God’s Word. Whether participating in evangelism seminars or church outreach trips, Peter consistently demonstrated his love for God, his passion for the deaf community, and his fervent desire to see them saved.

A Clear Vision of Purpose

In one of his class assignments, Peter articulated his mission with crystal clarity: “I have always dreamed of being a missionary… Now, I’m here at CABU, which serves the purpose of training servant leaders in Africa for Great Commission Living. I am here to be trained for three years to become a pastor so I can establish a church and serve God. I’m encouraging people, especially the deaf, who do not know Jesus, that I am coming to do ministry so they can come to my church [to learn about Jesus].”

A Race Well Run

On December 14, Peter’s earthly journey came to an end, his race was complete. The student who had never heard a spoken word on earth finally heard the sweetest sound – his Savior’s voice saying, “Well done, my son. Well done.” While Peter did not get to fulfill his earthly dream, he ran his race with faithful determination and crossed the finish line in victory.

His story touched many hearts, including one friend of CABU who was moved to pen these verses in his honor:

REACH THE DEAF

Ev’rywhere around me are the lost who need the Christ;

Ev’ryone must learn the truths of His great sacrifice.

God has sent his witnesses to people in despair

So that they may speak the Word and with them gospel share.

Yet not all those gripped by sin have ears to hear our speech:

Some are deaf, illiterate, need hands and signs to reach.

I felt called to serve the deaf, for they need Jesus, too;

This was a burden on my heart of what I had to do.

Many people do not love the ones who cannot hear,

Do not try to friendship make, don’t care to have them near.

How I longed to share God’s love–my heart for them did yearn!

Knew I had to go to school and more of Bible learn.

Missionary to the deaf–this call I would obey,

But my God had other plans and called me home today.

Though my mission only brief, and not what I had planned,

God is always in control and guides with sovereign hand.

As I share these thoughts with you from heaven’s distant shore,

May the Lord of Harvest raise up others, many more!

Others who will take in hand the baton I had to leave!

Others who will reach the deaf and help them to believe!

–12/14/24 by Thad Hobson in memory of Peter Zulu

A Continuing Mission

Peter’s race might be done, but his burden remains. His life challenges us to recognize that disability is not inability – rather, it can be a unique platform for ministry and service. To Peter’s family, the deaf community, and our CABU family, we extend our deepest love, prayers, and sympathy. May God comfort us in our loss.

More importantly, may God raise up many in our churches who will follow Peter Zulu’s example and fulfill the calling he left behind. The need to reach the deaf community with the gospel remains urgent, and Peter’s life shows us that this mission field is ripe for harvest.

Peter Zulu’s legacy reminds us that sometimes the most powerful sermons are preached not through words spoken, but through a life lived with purpose and dedication to God’s calling. Though his time was brief, his impact will continue through those who take up his mission to share God’s love with the deaf community across Africa.

A Final Appeal

Friends, would you come alongside CABU to provide scholarships for our Deaf students through our Andrew Foster Scholarship Fund? In this way, you can make a difference by training and sending missionaries like Peter to the 90 million deaf in Africa who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And to our deaf friends! If you share Peter’s faith, and his burden to prepare for mission church planting work among the deaf in Africa, please reach out. We would love to help you enroll as a student at CABU.