How precious the Bible is!
Persecuted believers receive Bibles of their own.
From Kenya to Venezuela, God’s Word is treasured and transforming lives.
“Thank you for giving us a Bible. You have impacted this church in a huge way.”
Comments of gratitude like this one were numerous during a Bible distribution at a church in coastal Kenya. Church members were so thrilled and overwhelmed to have a Bible in their own language of Swahili that they broke into spontaneous jubilation and praise, saying:
“Your ways, Lord, are not common.”
During a visit to the persecuted Church, supporters were able to witness the work and impact of Open Doors’ partners on the ground, as they handed out a total of 30 Bibles to believers.
In this area of Kenya, Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe persecution from their Muslim neighbours and the Islamic extremist group al-Shabaab. Known primarily for their presence in Somalia, al-Shabaab is also active in the bordering region of coastal Kenya.
Yet, through the same life-giving mission that Open Doors founder, Brother Andrew, started with, as he smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain in the 1950s, the lives of Christians in this area have been strengthened through the gift of Bibles.
The Bibles will help these persecuted brothers and sisters study the Word in their own language while deepening their relationship with God and preparing them to stand strong in their faith.
“You have taught me a lot, I am grateful,” a Bible recipient shared.
Open Doors has brought Bibles to millions of people – often giving persecuted believers their first-ever copy of God’s Word ever since the mission started in 1950.
In Kenya, since the 1990s, Open Doors has been working through local partners and churches. These partners are the hands and feet of God as Open Doors provides specific resources, including discipleship training, persecution response training, and Biblical leadership and advocacy training. Where necessary, they also offer opportunities for economic empowerment and emotional care to believers who have experienced trauma as a result of persecution.
Thanks to the gifts and prayers of Open Doors partners, like you, our brothers and sisters are praising God for the gift of His Word!
Like Brother Andrew, who loved seeing believers’ faces as they held their very own Bible for the first time, one of the visitors also shared their experience: “I felt connected to the believers when they gave their testimonies and received Bibles. I pray that they may continue strengthening their faith through the Word.”
Pastors in Venezuela express gratitude for new study Bibles
Pastors leading churches in northwest Venezuela praised God for the donation of more than 130 study Bibles made possible by Open Doors. Amidst economic and political pressure in the country, the pastors attended a ministry leadership workshop to help strengthen their ministries and increase their impact. At the end of the workshop, they each received a Bible of their own. Their joy was tangible.
Our partners delivered the study Bibles to church leaders in the region, where economic collapse and political corruption have led to food insecurity. More than 7 million people have left the country since 2015. Church leaders are struggling to sustain themselves and their churches.
Although there is religious freedom in the country, the church is not entirely free. If churches say things the government does not like, they may be censored and experience discrimination and persecution.
Additionally, in rural and/or poorer areas, the large presence of the paramilitaries who control the population makes it difficult for the pastors and leaders to work.
That’s why Open Doors provided a workshop focusing on ministry leadership skills. At the end of the workshop, the 138 church leaders received their own study Bibles. They participated in an intensive four-hour orientation to equip and empower them to use Scripture to strengthen their ministries across the region.
And just like those Bible recipients that Brother Andrew encountered, these church leaders were moved by their gift and expressed their gratitude, not just to our team on the ground, but also to you, our partners. Because of your prayers and gifts, we’re able to bring the Word of God to leaders who are walking out their passion to see the Gospel permeate their communities.
“Today we understand that we can be filled with more wisdom with the help of the Holy Spirit and with this material that you are giving us,” said Pastor Luis, who received a study Bible. He added that the Bible will be a great help to strengthen the work he is doing in his church.
Pray with us for these church leaders as they dig into the Word and preach it in their churches and communities.
“For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” – Isaiah 55:10-11
You can help more persecuted believers stand strong in God’s Word.
Would you consider giving a Bible and the tools to understand it for only R180?