Missionaries Chris and Lesley Rackley

Chris and Lesley founded Beyond the Gate Ministries (BTG) in 2008 with a mission to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ beyond their city gates into the nations of the world. They are currently serving in the nation of Zambia along with their three children. In 2018 His Royal Highness Chief Mukuni gifted BTG a piece of land on the beautiful Batoka Gorge located close to Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The 50-acre property serves as BTG’s main hub of ministry in Zambia and the sub-Saharan region of Africa. The focus of BTG is church planting and construction, pastoral training, clean water projects, education, and evangelism through short- and long-term missions and crusades.

BTG has trained dozens of pastors and has helped plant several churches in remote locations. Additionally, BTG has built two large churches, one of which is home to over 500 members. BTG’s clean water program has dug or repaired 20- boreholes in area villages. The education program has financially supported over 200 orphans and vulnerable children to advance their education. Five of these students have continued their education at the university level, studying in the areas of medicine and computer science.


More about Chris and Lesley

In 2009, Chris and Lesley embarked on their first mission trip to Sub-Saharan Africa and found God’s will for their lives. Between 2009 and 2021 they returned to Zambia several times a year to conduct evangelistic crusades and complete ministry projects. In early 2022, the Rackley family transitioned into full-time ministry in Zambia.


About Zambia

Zambia is in Sub-Saharan Africa and shares its borders with eight other countries. While Zambia is a Christian nation by constitution, there is a heavy mixture of witchcraft and ancestral worship, even within the church. Many pastors have no education or formal training, leaving them severely lacking in the areas of how to study, teach, and preach the Word of God. These influences routinely lead to a false gospel being preached throughout the country and region.

Spiritual Strongholds

  • Witchcraft
  • Ancestral Worship
  • Poverty

Prayer Needs

  • Laborers to come alongside us to serve full-time in Zambia
  • Protection and good health for our family

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