The Story of Liz Patten

Spreading the Word. Reaching the World.

When Liz Patten reflects on her journey with CLC International, one thing is clear: books and Bibles have never been just ink and paper. They are lifelines—tools God uses to reach hearts and change lives. For more than 30 years, Liz has given herself to this mission. But her story began long before CLC.

A New Testament and a New Life

At the age of 14, Liz received a small New Testament from the Gideons International (now Good News for Everyone). She read it daily, captivated by the truth within its pages. One verse, in particular, stayed with her: “Everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Eventually, that is exactly what happened.

That moment of faith set the direction of her life. At a youth conference in France, Liz said “yes” to God’s call to mission. That calling was deepened through a short-term trip to West Africa and later through two years of service in Cameroon with the Full Gospel Mission.

After returning from Cameroon, Liz went on to study Portuguese in Coimbra, Portugal, preparing for potential work in Angola. It was there that she first encountered CLC—not just as an organisation, but as a living ministry.

“I was a regular visitor to the CLC bookshop,” she recalls. Friendships with the missionary couple who led the shop grew into a growing sense that God was directing her to join the work.

Through prayer meetings and conversations, Liz began to see how her love for books and her calling to Africa were being woven together into something larger—CLC’s mission to spread the Gospel through literature.

A Passion Aligned with Purpose

Liz had always loved reading. Taught by her mother at the age of four, she quickly developed a lifelong habit. As a new believer, she devoured Christian books, finding in them both encouragement and depth.

So when the call to join CLC came, it felt natural. What had been a personal passion became a clear calling.

“I wanted to be a missionary,” she says.

For Liz, ministry has never been about titles or positions. It has always been driven by something deeper—a desire to serve God and invest her life in something with eternal impact.

That calling has taken her across continents: two years in Angola, seven in Mozambique, further time in Portugal, and many visits to CLC ministries across Africa.

Faithfulness in the Field

Along the way, Liz has been involved in significant projects, including the Low-Cost Bible Project for Mozambique, which has already distributed more than 30,000 Bibles.

But for Liz, the work has always been about more than projects.

“Encouraging colleagues, many of whom work in very challenging conditions, has been one of my greatest joys,” she says.

It is this combination of vision and care that has marked her ministry—serving both the mission and the people who carry it forward.

A Day in This Season

Today, Liz’s role looks different but remains just as vital. Her mornings begin with strong tea, Bible reading, and prayer. Much of her work now takes place online, connecting with colleagues across Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and beyond through Zoom, email, and WhatsApp.

She also prepares content for the Prayer Focus calendar and helps coordinate Global Prayer Days, keeping the ministry connected and united across nations.

In quieter moments, she enjoys walks with her adopted terrier, LittleTed—a faithful companion in this season of life.

Passing on the Baton

As Liz looks ahead to retirement in the coming years, her focus remains firmly on the future of the mission.

“We just hold the baton for a while, and then we have to pass it on,” she reflects.

Her prayer is that new leaders—particularly across Africa—will rise up to carry the vision forward with faith and courage.

And for those sensing a similar call, her encouragement is simple and wholehearted: once you are sure of God’s leading, go for it fully.

How to Pray

Please join Liz in prayer in the following ways:

Pray that she will continue to be an encouragement to colleagues in this final season of ministry and beyond.
Pray for strong, godly leadership across CLC Africa, especially in Mozambique and Sierra Leone.
Pray that the global mission of CLC remains clear, strong, and fruitful in every nation.

A Life with Purpose

After more than three decades of service, Liz sums up her “why” with clarity and conviction: Jesus is worthy, and His Word must be shared.

Her story is a reminder that this mission is not abstract. It is lived out day by day, through the faithfulness of ordinary people serving an extraordinary God.

And through lives like Liz’s, the Word continues to go out—reaching hearts, shaping futures, and transforming lives across the world.