Courageous Church Planters

Late last year, Bible League Macedonia staff went to the town of Negotino in Central Macedonia, where one of our church planters and a teacher in our church planting seminars had a creative evangelistic outreach. 

As he has been present in the town for quite some time, the Bible League trained church planter developed several friendships with the local people. He also became well known to the local police.

After discussions with the person in charge of the police union, the police agreed to allow the church planter to promote the movie Courageous.  The movie emphasized the need for family values in a society where family values had lost importance. Bible League was present and brought New Testaments and distributed them to those present who came to see the movie. Copies were left for those who were not able to be there. The police officers showed high interest in the movie and its content. 

A little trick was used, the movie was not shown in its total length, but only some 20 minutes. It would not have been possible to take two hours of the police's time!

Later, each of the police officers received a copy of the movie to view at home with their families. 

"We believe this was God’s strategy for reaching people in the town, not just the 20 police officers in the room," reflected a Bible League staff member.  "It was the first time that a connection had been made between the local police and the local church."

The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours. Your ways are not like mine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts."   Isaiah 55:8-9 (ERV)



 Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au

Deanna’s Experience in South Africa

Deanna Van Swol, Bible League's Field Operations Specialist, shares the impact that Bibles are having on students in South Africa:

"Bible League of South Africa in partnership with Bible League International had the privilege and blessing of providing Bible studies and Scriptures to students in public schools.  And through the generosity of the Lord Almighty, I was privileged and blessed to be able to witness their receipt of Bibles.

The recurring theme I heard from the educational leaders and mentoring pastors was the student’s dangerous circumstances.  They conveyed not only the economic challenges, but more importantly the spiritual challenges.  Opportunities for neglect, substance abuse, and immorality bombard these students leaving the soil fertile for the enemy to come in and destroy at such a precious young age. 

If one looks on the surface of these children’s situations, they may see hopelessness.  But, there is hope!

I praise God for these leaders who understand the soil is in fact ready for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to rescue and take root for a redemptive life that is powerfully successful in impacting the world for His glory.  With Christ there is hope for tomorrow!

I was so privileged and blessed to hear the hearts of these leaders who understand that with the foundation of God’s Word directing these precious souls, the privilege and blessing of redemption and hope can encompass their spirit and life forevermore.  Ah, to see these children with God’s Word of Life….  When you seriously think of it, how can it not bring tears to your eyes as well?"

The Run4Bibles program provided by Bible League International Australia and New Zealand is an opportunity for students in our schools to raise funds for Bibles to students in South Africa and so bring them hope.

Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au

Anka’s New Life

Anka was only two years old when her parents left her at the door of an orphanage in Bulgaria. She spent her precious early years learning to hate her parents for abandoning her. She couldn’t trust anyone, and didn’t have hope for her future.

Then, when she was nine years old, some Christians came to the orphanage to teach the children about Jesus. As they led youngsters through Bible League’s evangelism and discipleship Bible study booklets for kids, Anka found hope in Jesus, and she readily invited Him into her life. Still, she struggled to forgive her parents for leaving her.

She prayed and prayed that God would help her to forgive her parents—and He answered, as He always does. One morning, she woke up, and her anger was gone. Free from the bondage of hate and amazed at the power of prayer, Anka began to ask God to send her new parents. She prayed someone would adopt her!

The workers at the orphanage warned her that children her age were never adopted. “You’re just too old,” they told her. “It is just too late.” Still, she prayed. Other orphaned children made fun of her for her hope, but, still she prayed. For more than six months, Anka prayed that God would send her new parents . . . that someone would adopt her and love her.

Then, on Christmas Day, a family from Rome visited the orphanage. And out of 60 children, they chose to adopt Anka. Today, still amazed at the power of prayer, Anka lives in Rome with a Christian family who loves and cares for her. 

Everyone at the orphanage is still talking about Anka’s amazing gift of faith—a faith that began when Bulgarian Christians planted the seed of God’s Word you help provide through your partnership. Praise God that seed took root and is growing strong in this young girl’s life.

Read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au