FROM CHAINS TO CALLING: THE STORY OF TONY PEACE



 In the heart of Jos, Nigeria, nestled within the transformative grounds of Media Village, a young man’s life took a dramatic and purposeful turn. His name is Anthony Emmanuel Peace known by many as Tony Peace. His story is not just one of personal growth, but a powerful testament to healing, surrender, and calling. Before he ever stepped through the gates of Media Village, Tony’s life bore the weight of a silent struggle. Like many others, he wrestled for years with the hidden chains of masturbation a challenge that gripped him tightly, filling his soul with guilt, fear, and a sense of spiritual distance. It was a battle he never imagined would break, until God orchestrated a season of deep transformation.


The Journey Begins

Tony's time at Media Village began with enrolment in the Discipleship Training School (DTS). It was more than a classroom experience it was a crucible where hearts are refined. "One of the things that shook me to my core," Tony recalls, "was the fear that someone maybe a prophet teaching in class would see my sin and call me out." That fear became an unexpected tool of grace. It awakened a desire for integrity and an urgency to break free. As the weeks passed and teachings dug deeper into the heart, something within Tony began to change. Conviction gave way to confession.

Guilt was exchanged for grace.

 “Through the DTS,” he shares, “God broke me and I totally surrendered to Jesus. That habit that struggle stopped. I was transformed. I became a new person.” More Than Skill a Holistic Transformation Tony’s journey didn’t end with personal healing. At Media Village, he went on to complete the School of Video Production and the School of Strategic Communication. Yet, what stood out most to him was the fusion of skill and spirit. “They didn’t just teach us technical skills,” Tony says, “they taught us spiritual principles. I began to see that God Himself is the originator of creativity. He’s the ultimate designer.” This revelation became a cornerstone for Tony, influencing not just how he worked, but why he worked. Today, Tony leads the media department in his local church, guiding others in videography and photography — disciplines he once only dreamed of mastering. But it's not just about the work; it’s about discipleship through creativity.

 

Learning to Serve, Learning to Lead

One of the surprising turning points in Tony’s growth came from a simple, often dreaded responsibility: work duty. “Where I came from, household chores were often handled by siblings,” Tony explains. “So, coming here and being told to cook or clean? At first, it was tough.” But what started as resistance became joy. By the end of the school, Tony discovered a new love — cooking. “It shaped me,” he says, laughing. “Now, I enjoy it. It humbled me and taught me discipline.” Another major transformation came in the area of evangelism. “At first, going out to preach was terrifying,” he says. “That butterfly feeling in your stomach how do I start the conversation?” But as with everything else, Media Village offered not just training, but activation. “Today, soulwinning is my passion. In fact, this morning — before this interview I was in the ghetto preaching.” Communicating Legacy One of the most tangible fruits of Tony’s time at Media Village is his book: The Footprint of Influence. “It was inspired by the School of Strategic Communication,” Tony explains. “The question behind it is, ‘What will they say when you're gone?’ It challenges readers to live intentionally and leave a lasting legacy.” The book is more than words on a page — it’s a declaration of Tony’s transformation, and a guide for others seeking theirs. Through writing, video, and one-on-one conversations, Tony now communicates with diverse audiences using every tool at his disposal. It has become not only a ministry, but a source of livelihood. “It puts food on my table,” he says simply, “and helps spread the gospel in creative ways.”


A New Man, A New Mission

From a young man secretly battling sin to a media leader, preacher, and author Tony Peace's story is a living testimony of what God can do through surrender and discipleship. In his own words: “God helped me. I was transformed. And today, I’m a new person.” Here at Media Village, stories like Tony's are not rare — but they are sacred. They remind us that every skill learned can become a tool for the Kingdom, and every heart broken by truth can be mended by grace. Tony Peace’s life now echoes the very message of his book — that we are all leaving footprints. And his, no doubt, are leading many closer to Christ.