Freedom in Freetown: Lives Transformed in Sierra Leone
We kicked off the year partnering with Living Seeds, an incredible business and training school in Freetown, Sierra Leone, led by Nick and Kitty Marsh (CTF Farnborough). Living Seeds equips individuals with practical skills like sewing and tailoring, provides employment, and helps launch local businesses, breaking cycles of poverty and releasing hope and purpose.
During our week-long School of Ministry, our team from Catch The Fire Canada, USA, and the UK poured into over 70 students, staff, and workers through teaching, prayer, and one-on-one ministry sessions. The hunger for Jesus was tangible. On day one alone, six students gave their lives to Christ after a powerful message on the cross, and many others rededicated their lives. We witnessed physical healings, emotional restoration, deliverance, and life-changing encounters with Jesus.
Free to Rise Up
As part of our time, we facilitated Free to Rise Up, a four-day training focused on freedom, identity, and healing, followed by four days of one-on-one inner healing using a tool called 6 Keys to Freedom. Many came into this time weighed down by trauma, shame, unforgiveness, generational curses, and deep wounds. But by the grace of God, we saw Him do what only He can, bring beauty from ashes.
One young woman shared how she was abandoned at birth, suffered abuse in her aunt's care, was married young to escape, and later endured occult initiation. After the loss of her baby and being falsely accused and rejected, she carried unbearable grief, shame, and pain. But Jesus met her. Through the ministry team, she encountered His love, forgave those who hurt her, and began her journey toward healing and restoration.
Another young woman had been orphaned and sent to live with an uncle who broke every promise and treated her as a servant. Initiated into witchcraft and cursed by family, she was trapped in fear and bondage. But through prayer, truth, and love, she forgave, broke those chains, and began walking in freedom.
A Day to Celebrate
In the midst of the week, we hosted a community day trip to Living Seeds' new site at Ma Brown. It was a joyful day of food, games, worship, and fun for over 150 people, students, staff, children, and visitors. From sack races to football matches, everyone joined in. There was fierce (but friendly!) competition between the four colour teams and plenty of laughter all around. We ended the day exhausted but full of gratitude for the community God is building.
Site Progress and Challenges
We also visited the new Living Seeds site, where construction continues on classrooms, staff housing, and guest quarters. Due to local land disputes, a security wall had to be prioritised to protect the 27-acre property. This diverted funds from the main build, but securing the land was essential. They now need around $1.5 million to complete Phase 1 of the project. Progress is slow but steady, and hope-filled.
Ongoing Impact
In a challenging global economy, we thank God that the Living Seeds factory continues to receive regular orders, including a major one that will sustain operations for the coming months. This means more jobs, more training, and more lives lifted out of poverty.
Want to help fuel transformation in Sierra Leone? Join us in supporting the work of Living Seeds and Catch The Fire Missions.
Together, we’re seeing nations transformed by the love and power of Jesus.
