For the last eight years, I have had a front-row seat to watch what happens when people discover who they are in Christ and what they are specifically called to do. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This is our position in Christ, but people don’t always recognize the “good works” they are specifically called to in God’s mission. In our local church in Fort Langley, B.C., this became a problem we had to address. We started a ministry called ZOE, which is the Greek word for abundant life, found in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” We began talking with women and men about their identity in Christ. As we saw transformation within our local church, other church leaders in our region started to request this resource. Now ZOE is part of Mission Global and is shared across Canada and abroad. Our goal at ZOE is to help people discern and seek direction regarding what He has planned just for them.
God has given every person a unique “first name.” This name is comprised of our strengths, gifts, passion, personality and even where we live. God uses every part for His purposes. ZOE Network helps women and men begin to identify their “first name” and step into God’s mission!
Richard Swiatek is a powerful example of someone transformed by the discovery of his identity or “first name” in Christ. After taking the IDENTITY course, Richard said “yes” to God and was inspired to leave his private sector job of over 30 years. He entered full-time ministry at Trinity Church in Montreal, Que., where he provides pastoral care. He also serves as a lead facilitator for ZOE courses for men in both French and English and is beginning to work with pastoral leaders in France. Richard says, “As a course facilitator, one of my great joys is seeing men who feel uncertain about their roles in church and life realize that they are indeed called and equipped for ministry. Many go on to take on even greater responsibilities as they discover that, yes, they are the right person for the job.” We love how this discovery naturally sparked impact in the lives of others and how it has spread.
To date, we have worked with over 1,400 students from six countries. Our foundational course centres on the big questions in life: Who am I? What am I to do? Our courses are available in French and English, for both women and men. We have requests for more languages, which we look forward to fulfilling, and requests for additional courses, which will become a reality in 2026. This little ministry, which started as a church small group in our living room, has grown!
It is a joy to work with local church leaders to implement ZOE as a discipleship strategy. We often start by offering the IDENTITY course and then train leaders to facilitate it within their community. We also do this internationally, empowering local people to disciple those within their care. For example, in Cambodia, we were asked to organize a women’s conference within the ZOE themes. Instead of offering a conference with Canadian speakers planned by a team of Canadians, we stepped back and partnered with Khmer women. Khmer leaders took the IDENTITY course, and then together, we planned the conference. It was a joy to support them as they led and spoke. God is already at work in communities; we love to come alongside to strengthen what is happening.
We now have so many stories of transformation. At Living Waters Church in Fort Langley, B.C., a group of women who took the IDENTITY course discerned that they were to establish an outreach ministry in the local women’s prison. They have helped lead many women to Christ and have become powerful spiritual leaders.
In Manitoba, a woman named Nancy was challenged to go back to school upon discovering her identity in Christ. She took courses at Horizon College & Seminary. Recently, she was accepted to take part in a short-term mission to Guatemala to work with people living with disabilities. Nancy says, “I felt this was a great fit for myself because I was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.”
In Western Canada, Caron and her husband moved communities to be closer to her daughter. Missing her beloved job as a high school educational assistant, she was in a new city, with a new church, feeling very lost and asking, “What now?” Through ZOE, Caron discovered that God wasn’t finished with her. She came to realize, “My name hasn’t changed, my audience has.” Caron is now volunteering with a local organization called Not4Sale, working to spread awareness of human trafficking in Canada, making presentations in high schools.
This is what God does. When people say “yes” to God, borrowing courage from others, it leads to great impact on individuals, families, churches and entire communities.
If you would like to get involved:
· Take the IDENTITY course. This will help you understand who we are and what we do. If you are a church leader, bring your team! You can inquire here: https://zoenetwork.engagespaces.com/Survey.Complete/1271883.
· Host a retreat or conference.
· Explore potential international partnerships, including a ZOE Discovery Team.
To further the conversation, email us at info@zoenetwork.ca. Visit www.zoenetwork.ca.
Leanne McAlister is a leadership coach, PAOC global worker, and leads ZOE Network. She is passionate about helping people find their spot in God’s mission. This article appeared in the January/February/March 2026 issue of testimony/Enrich, a quarterly publication of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. © 2026 The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Photo at the top: The ZOE Conference planning team from Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2022. Photo below: Darcy and Leanne McAlister teaching in Asia. Photos © Mission Global.