A famine is sweeping across the African continent that does not have its origins in climate change, political upheaval or war.
This famine goes much deeper than physical, political or social needs – it goes to the very heart and soul of every man, woman and child - it is a Bible famine.

There is a deep spiritual hunger for the Word of God across Africa. The population of Africa is growing faster than in any other part of the world. With more than one billion people in 2010 it is estimated that the population will grow to 1.5 billion by 2030.

Almost half of the people living in this culturally and ethnically diverse continent claim to be Christian but often their depth of faith is very shallow because they do not have a personal copy of the Bible in their heart language.

The Urgent Need
Rev Shadrack Molosiwa, Bible League International’s Southern Africa Regional Operations Director, recently shared: “When the people have no Bibles in their mother tongue, it affects their lives in that some just become nominal Christians, or just go to Church but do not really understand what the Bible requires in terms of their conduct. so you find that many people are mixing Christianity with ancestral and cultural practices. There is a lot of confusion and there is no strong Christianity in which they are rooted. Lives are not changed.”

As the Church in Africa continues to grow rapidly, reaching out into unchurched areas with the Good News of Jesus, so does the demand for Bibles and Bible study resources.

A Cry For Help
A Christian ministry agency based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo recently approached Bible League International with this request:  “We have about 1.3 million children who do not even have a piece or a page of the Bible. Can you help us to make sure that when the students grow in that harvest knowledge of the Lord they will have something to read and depend on?”

Such requests are becoming more and more frequent, but sadly, resources are limited.

The Power of God’s Word
However, when a believer receives a Bible and Bible study resources there is a wonderful transformation. “This Bible study is a mercy privilege from the Lord”, shared Gabra from Ethiopia. “I have decided not to be silent anymore. It’s not enough for only me to be saved. I have to tell my Oromo tribe about the Saviour, just as the Samaritan woman did.”

You Can Help Break the Bible Famine
What does it cost to provide an African believer with a Bible and Bible study? Just $5.

Such a relatively small gift can have an enormous and eternal impact on the life of not only the believer but also their family and wider community.

Even though the demand for Bibles and Scripture resources is great, each gift is an important step to help break the Bible famine across Africa. Through your financial gift today and by prayer, we can together empower believers to grow in their faith, and as the body of Christ, ultimately bring true transformation to the nations of Africa.

Support Africa and read more about our work on our website www.bl.org.au