Southern Sudan—Over 1,000 soldiers find Jesus
On the 7 March 2007 two African Union (AU) peacekeepers were killed and one was seriously injured in Darfur. According to BBC news report, the faction of the Sudan Liberation Army rebels who carried out this attack were supposed to be AU’s partner in implementing Darfur’s peace agreement. This incident has upset the peace agreement signed in 2005 by Sudan’s Islamic government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
In the last two years since the signing of the peace agreement, Bible League took the opportunity to rebuild the ministry in the churches and explore new ministry fields. God amazingly led Bible League to start a ministry in the army barracks. God’s Word, sharper than the double-edged sword, has penetrated the hearts of the soldiers, convicting them of sin and leading them to salvation.
“I joined Sudan People Liberation Army when I was seventeen. My goal was to kill every Arab I met. When the peace agreement was signed, I had nothing to do. But the Lord had His plan. Someone invited me to join a Bible League Bible study group. Out of curiosity, I joined the group and began reading God’s Word. After four days of study, I was convicted by the Word of God. I realised that my hatred of the Arabs was a sin and sinners have to face God’s wrath. I confessed my sin. Praise God that now I love my Arab brothers,” a soldier testifies.
Another witnesses, “As a soldier, my job was to kill. I lived in war all my life. I had no reason to live and I always wished that I would die. When one of the commanders asked me to accompany him to attend Bible League’s Bible study group, I sat down and listened. Something touched and burned in my heart. I began to cry as I confessed my sins of killing and raping. The person sitting next to me sensed my agony and prayed for me. God restored my life that day.”
These men were two of over 1,000 soldiers who had completed the Project Philip Bible study program. They all were baptised. Last year, Bible League placed a total of 154,763 Scriptures in Southern Sudan, trained 43,576 Bible study graduates and baptised 9,333 new believers.
However, there are still millions of people in Sudan who need God’s Word, including many more soldiers. The National Director in Southern Sudan believes that the Sudanese will only find true peace when they find Jesus, the peace-giver. Will you help place more Scriptures in Sudan, so that more people can be transformed by God’s Word?
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Bible Power
MEXICO:
When a girl turns 15 in Latin America, there is usually a celebration. Her mother wanted to give Elia a party, but she didn't feel like celebrating. Her father had just died and she felt abandoned.
"My mother and I continued to go to church," Elia remembers, "but I had no joy in my heart."
Elia and her mother reached a compromise. Instead of a big party, Elia would go on a camping trip with her church. It was a trip where she would find God as her Father.
As she grew in the Lord, Elia developed a passion for reaching others with the message of salvation. Her God-given gift of evangelism was helped by Bible League training.
Her training came at a time when her church was going through a struggle. "We had forgotten that the world needs God's Word," says Elia.
When Elia first put her training to work, she was nervous. But the first woman Elia visited was open to studying the Bible with her. This was a huge encouragement to this young woman who was so excited about sharing her faith.
"You have come at just the right time," said the woman to Elia. "My daughter has been raped and she wants to kill her attacker." Through the Gospel of John, Elia was able to share the love of Jesus with this hurting family.
A lonely woman with no family or friends was also visited by Elia. "As we talked," says Elia, "she admitted to me that she had become a prostitute." This woman was certain that her sin was too severe—she could never find forgiveness.
Elia showed the woman from the Bible that Jesus can and will forgive any sin. "We talked for a long time and she cried inconsolably as she realized she needed Jesus in her life," says Elia.
Today, Elia and her husband serve God as they lead people to Christ by studying God's Word. She sees the lives of those in the studies changing as they learn more about Jesus and His love for them. "But my life has changed, too," says Elia, "as I continue to study for myself and I come to know God more through His Word."
Please visit our Bible website
When a girl turns 15 in Latin America, there is usually a celebration. Her mother wanted to give Elia a party, but she didn't feel like celebrating. Her father had just died and she felt abandoned.
"My mother and I continued to go to church," Elia remembers, "but I had no joy in my heart."
Elia and her mother reached a compromise. Instead of a big party, Elia would go on a camping trip with her church. It was a trip where she would find God as her Father.
As she grew in the Lord, Elia developed a passion for reaching others with the message of salvation. Her God-given gift of evangelism was helped by Bible League training.
Her training came at a time when her church was going through a struggle. "We had forgotten that the world needs God's Word," says Elia.
When Elia first put her training to work, she was nervous. But the first woman Elia visited was open to studying the Bible with her. This was a huge encouragement to this young woman who was so excited about sharing her faith.
"You have come at just the right time," said the woman to Elia. "My daughter has been raped and she wants to kill her attacker." Through the Gospel of John, Elia was able to share the love of Jesus with this hurting family.
A lonely woman with no family or friends was also visited by Elia. "As we talked," says Elia, "she admitted to me that she had become a prostitute." This woman was certain that her sin was too severe—she could never find forgiveness.
Elia showed the woman from the Bible that Jesus can and will forgive any sin. "We talked for a long time and she cried inconsolably as she realized she needed Jesus in her life," says Elia.
Today, Elia and her husband serve God as they lead people to Christ by studying God's Word. She sees the lives of those in the studies changing as they learn more about Jesus and His love for them. "But my life has changed, too," says Elia, "as I continue to study for myself and I come to know God more through His Word."
Please visit our Bible website
Saturday, 24 February 2007
Bible Power
MIDDLE EAST:
Power in God’s Word
“I was the Imam of a Mosque,” says Faroq*. “I decided to examine the life of Jesus in the Injil [Gospels]. I searched until I found a Christian who gave me an Injil—covertly transported into the country by the Bible League.
“I read it and came across ‘Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest,’ and I cried. Such wonderful words! I prayed, ‘If Jesus is God, I want to see you.’ It was a prayer of desperation and deep searching—I really wanted to know! After three days Jesus appeared to me, and I believed.
Jesus Restores and Heals
Faroq recited passages from Scripture to his wife, a devout Muslim. She asked him many questions about the Bible, and then she also become a Christian.
Muslim authorities learned that Faroq is a follower of Christ. He says, “I was interrogated and tortured to give up my Christianity and return to Islam. Everyone, including our family, was against us.”
Then one day a cousin of Faroq came to him in great pain from kidney stones. Faroq said to him, “If a Muslim is able to heal you, I will return to Islam. But Jesus can heal you.”
“How?” his cousin asked. Then Faroq prayed for him in Jesus name.
His cousin left, but then came back early the next morning, and said, “I am healthy again. After I left you, the pain stopped. I went to my doctor and he told me that the stone was gone. He asked what happened. I told him that someone had prayed for me and Jesus had healed me.”
Both were so moved by this event, that they asked Faroq, “What must we do to follow Jesus?” So Faroq led them to Christ.
Loving the Ones Jesus Loves
So far, 36 people in Faroq’s family have been baptized. This has brought overwhelming hardship on all of them. All are now poor since they lost jobs and business because of their Christianity. One cousin was beaten to death by police because he would not renounce Jesus and return to Islam.
But, training and a supply of Scriptures from the Bible League help Faroq remain faithful, “Now I share the Good News of Christ with my countrymen in whatever way I can.”
*Name changed for security reasons.
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
Power in God’s Word
“I was the Imam of a Mosque,” says Faroq*. “I decided to examine the life of Jesus in the Injil [Gospels]. I searched until I found a Christian who gave me an Injil—covertly transported into the country by the Bible League.
“I read it and came across ‘Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest,’ and I cried. Such wonderful words! I prayed, ‘If Jesus is God, I want to see you.’ It was a prayer of desperation and deep searching—I really wanted to know! After three days Jesus appeared to me, and I believed.
Jesus Restores and Heals
Faroq recited passages from Scripture to his wife, a devout Muslim. She asked him many questions about the Bible, and then she also become a Christian.
Muslim authorities learned that Faroq is a follower of Christ. He says, “I was interrogated and tortured to give up my Christianity and return to Islam. Everyone, including our family, was against us.”
Then one day a cousin of Faroq came to him in great pain from kidney stones. Faroq said to him, “If a Muslim is able to heal you, I will return to Islam. But Jesus can heal you.”
“How?” his cousin asked. Then Faroq prayed for him in Jesus name.
His cousin left, but then came back early the next morning, and said, “I am healthy again. After I left you, the pain stopped. I went to my doctor and he told me that the stone was gone. He asked what happened. I told him that someone had prayed for me and Jesus had healed me.”
Both were so moved by this event, that they asked Faroq, “What must we do to follow Jesus?” So Faroq led them to Christ.
Loving the Ones Jesus Loves
So far, 36 people in Faroq’s family have been baptized. This has brought overwhelming hardship on all of them. All are now poor since they lost jobs and business because of their Christianity. One cousin was beaten to death by police because he would not renounce Jesus and return to Islam.
But, training and a supply of Scriptures from the Bible League help Faroq remain faithful, “Now I share the Good News of Christ with my countrymen in whatever way I can.”
*Name changed for security reasons.
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
Friday, 23 February 2007
Bible Power
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Bible Power
HUNGARY:
I used to frequent clubs, smoke whatever came my way, and date many wild girls. My body piercings would draw plenty of attention as I often showed them off. I was very belligerent to my parents and everyone around me, except my party buddies.
I enjoyed everything I could and with zest. But, when I reached the age of 21, my life turned so crazy and messed up, I had to move away from my home and live with relatives in another city.
A change of scenery brings new perspective
I found work but my life was still confusing. My aunt and cousin were both Christians, but I didn't know what that meant. Sometimes, my cousin would invite me to a Bible study but I would refuse each time she asked. Then something odd occurred and made me curious about God and the Bible.
My aunt's Bible sat on the table and I thought to pick it up and read, but didn't want anyone to know so I just left it alone. The same day, I was visiting my cousin and she had a Bible sitting on her table, too. I thought it was odd that I would see two Bibles in a day. That's when I felt a stirring inside to know more.
I decided to go to a Bible study with my cousin. After a few visits and studying the Scriptures, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and was baptized right away.
After my conversion, I completely turned my back on my old life. I even began to preach the Gospel to everyone I met.
My parents didn't like what happened to me. They thought I joined a cult. But they had seen a change in me and eventually they also received Jesus Christ.
My life is so different now and I am so grateful that the Lord saved me from my sins and gave me this new life. I am also thankful to the Bible League for the Bible study books that help me understand and remember the things I learn from God's Word.
Please visit the Bible website before you leave
I used to frequent clubs, smoke whatever came my way, and date many wild girls. My body piercings would draw plenty of attention as I often showed them off. I was very belligerent to my parents and everyone around me, except my party buddies.
I enjoyed everything I could and with zest. But, when I reached the age of 21, my life turned so crazy and messed up, I had to move away from my home and live with relatives in another city.
A change of scenery brings new perspective
I found work but my life was still confusing. My aunt and cousin were both Christians, but I didn't know what that meant. Sometimes, my cousin would invite me to a Bible study but I would refuse each time she asked. Then something odd occurred and made me curious about God and the Bible.
My aunt's Bible sat on the table and I thought to pick it up and read, but didn't want anyone to know so I just left it alone. The same day, I was visiting my cousin and she had a Bible sitting on her table, too. I thought it was odd that I would see two Bibles in a day. That's when I felt a stirring inside to know more.
I decided to go to a Bible study with my cousin. After a few visits and studying the Scriptures, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and was baptized right away.
After my conversion, I completely turned my back on my old life. I even began to preach the Gospel to everyone I met.
My parents didn't like what happened to me. They thought I joined a cult. But they had seen a change in me and eventually they also received Jesus Christ.
My life is so different now and I am so grateful that the Lord saved me from my sins and gave me this new life. I am also thankful to the Bible League for the Bible study books that help me understand and remember the things I learn from God's Word.
Please visit the Bible website before you leave
Monday, 19 February 2007
Bible Power
KENYA:
This small village in Kenya didn't know God's power until a humble Christian named Anderson was sent to break the strongholds of fear and bring Truth into lives.
Anderson the church planter.
Anderson was a church planter in Samburu, Kenya. He would travel throughout the region evangelizing and sharing God's love to lost souls, yet ill-equipped to follow up a new convert's spiritual journey after he left their village. Then he joined the church planting training through the Bible Networks ministry in Samburu.
Bible Network equips the church planter
"I was now prepared to evangelize and to make strategic follow up with the aim of making any new believer become an active member in a church," Anderson says. "Within six months, I managed to plant a church with the Bibles and skills the Bible Network provided."
Moving forward with his passion for serving the Church, Anderson set his sight toward another village called Supati Ingejek. "All the skills I learned through Bible Network training had proven profitable. I was moved by the Holy Spirit to start a church in this small village of 400 people," he says.
A village with Satan's stronghold
"I surveyed the area and noticed that no pastor or evangelist dared plant a church in this village." It was home to a famous witchdoctor consulted by the old and young.
He controlled the affairs of the people and instilled fear among them. Christians feared to venture into this village.
Anderson claims the village in the name of Christ
"I took time to seek God's intervention and guidance before stepping in and setting up a church." As I began to introduce myself to the people of the village, the witchdoctor confronted me when he realized I spoke of Jesus Christ. I told the people that they can overcome the powers of darkness, including the power of witchdoctors.
The battle rages
"He threatened me and commanded me to leave that village with his assurance that if I attempt to preach or plant a church, I will die!"
Members of the community surrounded the two, telling Anderson that he must plead for mercy from the witchdoctor. "I was filled with power from heaven and said, 'You must repent and accept Christ as your Savior or you will die in your sin!'" he recalls.
Victory is the Lord's
Days later, to Anderson's amazement, "When I came back to follow up on people who had responded to the Gospel, those in the village told me the witchdoctor had collapsed and died—that very same day."
"When the people saw me, they approached me with thanksgiving for many had suffered under the evil influence of this man," Anderson says.
Glory to God for the healthy church Anderson planted in the village of Supati Ingejek, with over 100 people and growing.
Please visit our Bible Power website before you leave
This small village in Kenya didn't know God's power until a humble Christian named Anderson was sent to break the strongholds of fear and bring Truth into lives.
Anderson the church planter.
Anderson was a church planter in Samburu, Kenya. He would travel throughout the region evangelizing and sharing God's love to lost souls, yet ill-equipped to follow up a new convert's spiritual journey after he left their village. Then he joined the church planting training through the Bible Networks ministry in Samburu.
Bible Network equips the church planter
"I was now prepared to evangelize and to make strategic follow up with the aim of making any new believer become an active member in a church," Anderson says. "Within six months, I managed to plant a church with the Bibles and skills the Bible Network provided."
Moving forward with his passion for serving the Church, Anderson set his sight toward another village called Supati Ingejek. "All the skills I learned through Bible Network training had proven profitable. I was moved by the Holy Spirit to start a church in this small village of 400 people," he says.
A village with Satan's stronghold
"I surveyed the area and noticed that no pastor or evangelist dared plant a church in this village." It was home to a famous witchdoctor consulted by the old and young.
He controlled the affairs of the people and instilled fear among them. Christians feared to venture into this village.
Anderson claims the village in the name of Christ
"I took time to seek God's intervention and guidance before stepping in and setting up a church." As I began to introduce myself to the people of the village, the witchdoctor confronted me when he realized I spoke of Jesus Christ. I told the people that they can overcome the powers of darkness, including the power of witchdoctors.
The battle rages
"He threatened me and commanded me to leave that village with his assurance that if I attempt to preach or plant a church, I will die!"
Members of the community surrounded the two, telling Anderson that he must plead for mercy from the witchdoctor. "I was filled with power from heaven and said, 'You must repent and accept Christ as your Savior or you will die in your sin!'" he recalls.
Victory is the Lord's
Days later, to Anderson's amazement, "When I came back to follow up on people who had responded to the Gospel, those in the village told me the witchdoctor had collapsed and died—that very same day."
"When the people saw me, they approached me with thanksgiving for many had suffered under the evil influence of this man," Anderson says.
Glory to God for the healthy church Anderson planted in the village of Supati Ingejek, with over 100 people and growing.
Please visit our Bible Power website before you leave
Friday, 16 February 2007
bible power
Karth awakened from a deep sleep and immediately felt a strong sense of urgency overcome his body. What he had experienced could not have been a dream. It was too real, too lifelike. No, it must have been a vision straight from God.
In the vision, Karth had been clothed in white and sitting in the middle of the desert. Yet he did not feel a single drop of sweat underneath the intense sun. Instead, he was cooled by falling rain and comforted by a soft music playing in the distance.
Karth kneeled by his bedside and began to pray. "Oh God, I have suffered so long. But I know it is you who brings comfort. Come into my heart today-be my rain in the midst of the desert."
Thrown into warIn the years preceding junior high, Karth had lived a peaceful life. He grew up in a happy Cambodian home, and his parents had always provided good care.
But his life was turned upside down in 1975-under the rule of the Pol Pot regime-when the people of Cambodia were thrown into a brutal civil war. It would rage on for more than two decades, and misery, destruction, and death were to become a daily reality.
The memories from the war are painful for Karth to recall. "My whole family had lives of hopelessness, and we no longer saw anything beautiful-only blood, death, and hearing the sounds of weapons. After Pol Pot's regime ended in 1979, only four members of my family were still alive."
God's Word at workAs Karth grew older, he resolved to become a valued employee in the workforce.
He believed that if he worked hard enough, the government would be less likely to draft him into the military and face more death and misery on the Khmer-Thai border.
It was as a manager of a restaurant that Karth first met Pastor Dara, a Christian trained for evangelism by the Bible League. Pastor Dara was well liked and respected by all the employees of the restaurant-in all his visits he always exhibited joy and integrity.
Pastor Dara regularly shared the Gospel with Karth, and even led him through a Bible study. When Karth completed the Bible study, Pastor Dara gave him a brand new Bible to take home. In it he wrote, "May you find wisdom and knowledge in this treasured book."
Transformed by graceIt wasn't long after receiving the Bible, that Karth had his life-transforming vision. God had been working on his heart for quite some time, and he could no longer deny that it was Christ who could fill the void in his life.
After Karth had asked God to forgive him of his sins, he felt a sense of peace and joy that was beyond all worldly explanation. Unable to keep it inside, he began to praise God through song. He vowed to follow the Lord, wherever He might lead.
Hope for lost soulsToday Karth is serving God as the National Coordinator of Evangelism and Discipleship for Bible League in Cambodia. He has a passion for reaching his country through these Bible studies, that others may also know the hope that only comes from the Lord.
"I am bringing lost souls to Christ," he says, "to the One who brings love and fellowship, and unites people, and does not bring division to the people.
"I thank the Lord, who saved me from the wickedness of the world. And for Pastor Dara, who brought salvation to my life-and also my whole family."
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
In the vision, Karth had been clothed in white and sitting in the middle of the desert. Yet he did not feel a single drop of sweat underneath the intense sun. Instead, he was cooled by falling rain and comforted by a soft music playing in the distance.
Karth kneeled by his bedside and began to pray. "Oh God, I have suffered so long. But I know it is you who brings comfort. Come into my heart today-be my rain in the midst of the desert."
Thrown into warIn the years preceding junior high, Karth had lived a peaceful life. He grew up in a happy Cambodian home, and his parents had always provided good care.
But his life was turned upside down in 1975-under the rule of the Pol Pot regime-when the people of Cambodia were thrown into a brutal civil war. It would rage on for more than two decades, and misery, destruction, and death were to become a daily reality.
The memories from the war are painful for Karth to recall. "My whole family had lives of hopelessness, and we no longer saw anything beautiful-only blood, death, and hearing the sounds of weapons. After Pol Pot's regime ended in 1979, only four members of my family were still alive."
God's Word at workAs Karth grew older, he resolved to become a valued employee in the workforce.
He believed that if he worked hard enough, the government would be less likely to draft him into the military and face more death and misery on the Khmer-Thai border.
It was as a manager of a restaurant that Karth first met Pastor Dara, a Christian trained for evangelism by the Bible League. Pastor Dara was well liked and respected by all the employees of the restaurant-in all his visits he always exhibited joy and integrity.
Pastor Dara regularly shared the Gospel with Karth, and even led him through a Bible study. When Karth completed the Bible study, Pastor Dara gave him a brand new Bible to take home. In it he wrote, "May you find wisdom and knowledge in this treasured book."
Transformed by graceIt wasn't long after receiving the Bible, that Karth had his life-transforming vision. God had been working on his heart for quite some time, and he could no longer deny that it was Christ who could fill the void in his life.
After Karth had asked God to forgive him of his sins, he felt a sense of peace and joy that was beyond all worldly explanation. Unable to keep it inside, he began to praise God through song. He vowed to follow the Lord, wherever He might lead.
Hope for lost soulsToday Karth is serving God as the National Coordinator of Evangelism and Discipleship for Bible League in Cambodia. He has a passion for reaching his country through these Bible studies, that others may also know the hope that only comes from the Lord.
"I am bringing lost souls to Christ," he says, "to the One who brings love and fellowship, and unites people, and does not bring division to the people.
"I thank the Lord, who saved me from the wickedness of the world. And for Pastor Dara, who brought salvation to my life-and also my whole family."
Please visit our Bible website before you leave
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