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Out of the Black Shadows: The Amazing Transformation of Stephen Lungu
Stephen Lungu was three when his mother ran away, leaving him and his younger brother and sister in the reluctant care of an aunt. By the age of eleven, Stephen had run away too, preferring life on the streets. As a teenager he was recruited into an urban gang, the Black Shadows, which robbed and mugged with a half-focused dream of revolution. When an evangelist came to town, Stephen was sent to fire bomb the event, but instead he stayed to listen. This powerful, bestselling story has now been revised and updated and is in its fourth printing.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 28, 2020
The description of this book claims that the events of Stephen Lungu's life are better than fiction... I have to agree.
June 14, 2022
6 stars. Stephen Lungu, “The African Billy Graham”, has an amazing story of God’s grace and power to tell. I’m so tempted to retell it here, but I won’t. If you want your faith strengthened, read this book. If you want motivation to evangelize, read this book. If you want dozens of incredible sermon illustrations, read this book. Lungu had me in tears several times.
And if you don’t read this book, at least search “Stephen Lungu testimony” on YouTube and hear his better-than-fiction story from his lips.
And if you don’t read this book, at least search “Stephen Lungu testimony” on YouTube and hear his better-than-fiction story from his lips.
March 3, 2011
Great story of God's love and power in Stephen Lungu's life. From a gang member to International Team Leader of Africa Enterprise.
favorite quote (cause it's true!)
"You Americans have been blessed with wristwatches but you don't have much time. We Africans have no wristwatches, but we have plenty of time!"
favorite quote (cause it's true!)
"You Americans have been blessed with wristwatches but you don't have much time. We Africans have no wristwatches, but we have plenty of time!"
January 2, 2015
a must read of God's redemptive power.
April 6, 2020
Wonderful story of how God changed a man's life. Like every good story; God is the focus, not Stephen. A proper review will be posted on my blog soon
September 19, 2024
One of the most remarkable conversion stories I have read. The Lord transformed Stephen’s life and then used him to transform so many more. Stories like these illustrate the truth of Romans 1: the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. I highly recommend everyone read this story. It will move you.
June 17, 2020
I just love a good story about Jesus doing the impossible with the improbable. I thought the book could have done a better job of keeping the timeline clear, such as simply throwing in a date every once in a while, and there were a few other editing issues, but that couldn't detract from the glory of the account.
April 5, 2016
An absolute thriller! A very powerful testimony from somebody who clearly loves God. I was particularly encouraged by his complete reliance on God from the moment of his conversion. It's a story that shows God can reach anyone.
October 31, 2017
Amazing! Only put it down because I had to go to sleep or the bath went cold! Brought me to tears and I a hard nut to crack! Our God is a great big God and he holds us in his hands. We should not doubt for anything. He genuinely provides all our needs. Faith and patience will prevail, always.
March 14, 2022
Phenomenal. I have no words. It's just beautiful.
I cried. A lot. And I barely ever cry at books.
What a beautiful true story, and Stephen's sheer love for Jesus is just so encouraging! This is a testimony I will never forget. I am so glad I've read it!
So you should too :)
I cried. A lot. And I barely ever cry at books.
What a beautiful true story, and Stephen's sheer love for Jesus is just so encouraging! This is a testimony I will never forget. I am so glad I've read it!
So you should too :)
December 17, 2007
Inspirational autobiography of Stephen Lungu who is now heads up African Enterprise. Felt a little simple, but I did enjoy it thoroughly. Definitely a quick read.
September 24, 2023
Out of brokenness…. This biography of Stephen Lungu starts out heartbreaking and ends up an inspiring testimony to God’s redeeming love and grace. A must-read to remind us of the hopeless and helpless, abandoned and forgotten, who desperately need the Gospel.
October 3, 2023
Abbgebrochen - wurde mir zu religiös. Die erste Hälfte ist aber echt gut und sehr reflektiert!
June 22, 2016
No one should experience the childhood of Stephen Lungu—abandoned by parents, abused by relatives, assaulted by hunger as he rummaged through white man’s garbage cans. Yet he survived and as a teen led the Black Shadows gang—until he experienced a conversion as dramatic as that of the apostle Paul. Unable to read or write, the young man from Rhodesia never dreamed what God had in store for him.
Suffice to say Lungu’s story is riveting and absolutely amazing. If you want your faith bolstered, if you want inspiration to overcome life’s greatest challenges, if you doubt that prayers are answered--just read this book. Stranger than fiction, Lungu’s story will touch your heart and just may transform your life.
I read this book after watching Lungu on a Sunday school class video, and I’m glad I did. After miraculously surviving his tumultuous childhood, God has used him to trigger miracles of conversion around the world. If you ever doubt what God can do through one willing vessel, read this book and doubt no more.
Suffice to say Lungu’s story is riveting and absolutely amazing. If you want your faith bolstered, if you want inspiration to overcome life’s greatest challenges, if you doubt that prayers are answered--just read this book. Stranger than fiction, Lungu’s story will touch your heart and just may transform your life.
I read this book after watching Lungu on a Sunday school class video, and I’m glad I did. After miraculously surviving his tumultuous childhood, God has used him to trigger miracles of conversion around the world. If you ever doubt what God can do through one willing vessel, read this book and doubt no more.
February 20, 2020
Recently finished this one too, a gift to us from a stranger how had heard our recent challenges and thought this would help. It was very interesting to read, an insight into another world (another part of the world too) and a great testament to the transforming power of God in someones life. Worth a read!
April 17, 2020
An incredible story of how God can hand pick someone and litterally set out a path for him to follow. If you are called of God He will make a way to fulfill it.
Being a Zimbabwean, it was a little surreal to read about the familiar towns and cities I grew up in.
Being a Zimbabwean, it was a little surreal to read about the familiar towns and cities I grew up in.
November 12, 2020
A beautiful and quite moving testimony of how the Gospel can take someone from the depths of utter hopelessness to the heights of joy and satisfaction in Jesus Christ. The story of Stephen Lungu’s conversion made me weep.
January 28, 2021
This book was brought to my attention by an article written by someone who had met Stephen and I was intrigued by his testimony. The first few years of his life are quite painful to read and for him to experience. So pleased Jesus rescued him and transformed his life. Recommend it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2011
a challenging biography
January 11, 2026
Inspiring Christian biography. From attempting to bomb a Christian meeting to an enthusiastic evangelist.
September 27, 2015
Jesus saves sinners. He will use anyone who is willing to do his will.
August 1, 2018
inspiring story, some very funny moments, very direct , honest
June 17, 2019
Very encouraging and a great reminder that God moves very differently in different people's lives.
February 24, 2020
amazing inspirational account of God's saving grace!
April 7, 2020
couldn't put this book down....what a story and as the blurb correctly says....better than fiction
August 17, 2020
An excellent display of God's love for us!
August 25, 2020
No one is ever to lost to be saved! The miracles in Lungu's life, is testimony to God's love for us. He leaves the 99 and go out to look for the 1.
October 7, 2020
One of the best Christian biography's I have read. The narrative is clear and the momentum builds on every page. I loved it.
November 24, 2021
What an amazing testimony!
January 31, 2012
I can't say enough about this book; it was absolutely brilliant! I enjoyed reading about the familiar places I've visited in Zimbabwe and Malawi and also the historical background portrayed in the book.What I enjoyed even more was reading about all the miracles Stephen experienced and how the terrble things he experienced actually helped make him into a man of compassion and great wisdom.I think the book is also a sort of sociological adventure, we see White culture from the eyes of a Black man. Stephen does a good job of contrasting the two cultures but in a non-divisive way. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews