Hungry....for the Word of God!
It all starts with one! You might think a ministry program starts with a planning committee, sitting around a large oval table, laden with progress reports and stand-up charts....and sometimes it does. But, in the case of Jude's Request... The Ghana Bible Mission.....it all started with one!
A young 17 year old man from Ghana Africa named Jude (name changed to protect identity) emailed us with a simple request attached to a complex story. As the story unfolds, we find out that Jude is the only one of his Islamic family that is a Christian. He does not attend church, but does attend bible studies. He is proud to be a Christian and enjoys attending the bible studies, but he has no bible. He feels left out and has nothing to study. He
desires to know more about our Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He also feels like all eyes are on him, as the others do have bibles to read from. He has many questions. He is embarrassed.
I must say, dear friend, this email was like a revelation to us at BOCF. Every day, we pass by the table or the bookshelf that holds the precious Word of God in our home. In many of our homes, dust is collected on this precious Word, as we find more and more things that really need to be done, but in the process, we forget to read and study daily what God has for our lives. Jude's story is just the first of many that has entered the TDE inbox. After Jude received his study bible, word began to spread and then others started coming forth with similar requests. Another young man emailed us for study bibles for him, his brother and two friends. While yet another has requested 13 study bibles, one for himself and the 12 other for his friends. All these young people range within the ages of 16-18. A lot of them, live at school. All of them suffer the same outcome. Without a bible, they are not
students of the Word, but spectators. My friends, these young people listed here today, and others, are the hope of our future. They are our future leaders. They are the next generation. They walk a ground that most of us will never walk on, live in a land we will never visit, witness to a people we will never meet. Some have to hide to read the Word, or go by strict rules, that regulate when and where the Word can be read. It should behoove us
to take action to assist these ones in the Name of Our Lord. The testimonies given by some would either warm your heart or break your heart. One fellow emails me to tell me how he got saved. He too, was a Muslim. A cinema van, manned by 2 young evangelist, came by a park near his school. They were showing the Jesus Movie. He went to see it and left there forever changed. He is so glad he made the decision to accept Christ in His life. He said it was the best decision he has ever made. The demands for Study bibles are great. These young Christians want to do more than read.....they want to study. They want to dig deep and understand biblical truths. The versions of the Study Bible most requested are the NIV (Life Application) and KJV (Study Bible) and NKJV (Study Bible).
Please pray and consider giving to this needy cause. Whether it be a monetary gift toward the purchase of a Study Bible, or you donate a Study Bible as your gift, remember that they are tax-deductible. Even if you can
not give....our blessings are upon you. Just keep this and all of the ministries of Branches of Christ Fellowship in your prayers for the Lord to have His Way.
September 2008--request are coming in for paperback bibles to pass out on the street. Converts off the streets, prostitutes mainly, are desiring to return to the streets to rescue more girls. They can not afford the tools they need to convince these girls, they do have another option. Life in Jesus Christ! They need bibles, 500+ requested for so far.
November 2008--Several churches in Ghana has brought it to our attention that the need for personal bibles for their new converts and prospective converts are greatly needed. As converting one to Christianity in Africa is
not hard, the area of discipleship is. Many Africans have never own a bible, nor has read out of one. Knowledge of the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ comes mainly by hearing. There is nothing for them to take home and read and study in. Bibles are a rarity in Africa, as purchasing a bible can sometimes be at least 1/3 (one-third) of a person's income there. In several places, 20 or more people share one bible. It is great that they at least have this one bible, but it makes it very difficult to study. Churches in Africa are petitioning us for bibles to supply their congregation. The bibles needed are the personal size, (pew style or award bibles, hardback, if possible-for durability). The petition as it stands right now is 15000 bibles.
2009--More and more churches are requesting bibles. Other countries are extending their hands as well, thirsting for the Word of God in their hands. In the Philippines, Filipino Evangelists ride horseback several hours to get to
remote tribal villages to witness of Christ, hold crusades and baptisms. They desperately need paperback bibles for this task.
We would like to encourage you, if you are touched by this ministry and you have a used award style or personal bible you do not need, to please share it with these hungry people of Africa. And, if by chance you would like to bless these people with a new bible, please consider a monetary gift of $1.00 per person for paperback and $7.00 per person for a hardback pew bible. Also, for the small price of $3.50 per bible, we can see that it gets into
their hands. It is a small price to pay to see a soul saved for the Kingdom of God. Please help us teach people about the many wonderful manifold blessings of our Lord and help them to further the Kingdom of God in
reaching more people for Christ.
Any gift given to relieve the Spiritual Hunger of these people, is appreciated.
A young 17 year old man from Ghana Africa named Jude (name changed to protect identity) emailed us with a simple request attached to a complex story. As the story unfolds, we find out that Jude is the only one of his Islamic family that is a Christian. He does not attend church, but does attend bible studies. He is proud to be a Christian and enjoys attending the bible studies, but he has no bible. He feels left out and has nothing to study. He
desires to know more about our Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He also feels like all eyes are on him, as the others do have bibles to read from. He has many questions. He is embarrassed.
I must say, dear friend, this email was like a revelation to us at BOCF. Every day, we pass by the table or the bookshelf that holds the precious Word of God in our home. In many of our homes, dust is collected on this precious Word, as we find more and more things that really need to be done, but in the process, we forget to read and study daily what God has for our lives. Jude's story is just the first of many that has entered the TDE inbox. After Jude received his study bible, word began to spread and then others started coming forth with similar requests. Another young man emailed us for study bibles for him, his brother and two friends. While yet another has requested 13 study bibles, one for himself and the 12 other for his friends. All these young people range within the ages of 16-18. A lot of them, live at school. All of them suffer the same outcome. Without a bible, they are not
students of the Word, but spectators. My friends, these young people listed here today, and others, are the hope of our future. They are our future leaders. They are the next generation. They walk a ground that most of us will never walk on, live in a land we will never visit, witness to a people we will never meet. Some have to hide to read the Word, or go by strict rules, that regulate when and where the Word can be read. It should behoove us
to take action to assist these ones in the Name of Our Lord. The testimonies given by some would either warm your heart or break your heart. One fellow emails me to tell me how he got saved. He too, was a Muslim. A cinema van, manned by 2 young evangelist, came by a park near his school. They were showing the Jesus Movie. He went to see it and left there forever changed. He is so glad he made the decision to accept Christ in His life. He said it was the best decision he has ever made. The demands for Study bibles are great. These young Christians want to do more than read.....they want to study. They want to dig deep and understand biblical truths. The versions of the Study Bible most requested are the NIV (Life Application) and KJV (Study Bible) and NKJV (Study Bible).
Please pray and consider giving to this needy cause. Whether it be a monetary gift toward the purchase of a Study Bible, or you donate a Study Bible as your gift, remember that they are tax-deductible. Even if you can
not give....our blessings are upon you. Just keep this and all of the ministries of Branches of Christ Fellowship in your prayers for the Lord to have His Way.
September 2008--request are coming in for paperback bibles to pass out on the street. Converts off the streets, prostitutes mainly, are desiring to return to the streets to rescue more girls. They can not afford the tools they need to convince these girls, they do have another option. Life in Jesus Christ! They need bibles, 500+ requested for so far.
November 2008--Several churches in Ghana has brought it to our attention that the need for personal bibles for their new converts and prospective converts are greatly needed. As converting one to Christianity in Africa is
not hard, the area of discipleship is. Many Africans have never own a bible, nor has read out of one. Knowledge of the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ comes mainly by hearing. There is nothing for them to take home and read and study in. Bibles are a rarity in Africa, as purchasing a bible can sometimes be at least 1/3 (one-third) of a person's income there. In several places, 20 or more people share one bible. It is great that they at least have this one bible, but it makes it very difficult to study. Churches in Africa are petitioning us for bibles to supply their congregation. The bibles needed are the personal size, (pew style or award bibles, hardback, if possible-for durability). The petition as it stands right now is 15000 bibles.
2009--More and more churches are requesting bibles. Other countries are extending their hands as well, thirsting for the Word of God in their hands. In the Philippines, Filipino Evangelists ride horseback several hours to get to
remote tribal villages to witness of Christ, hold crusades and baptisms. They desperately need paperback bibles for this task.
We would like to encourage you, if you are touched by this ministry and you have a used award style or personal bible you do not need, to please share it with these hungry people of Africa. And, if by chance you would like to bless these people with a new bible, please consider a monetary gift of $1.00 per person for paperback and $7.00 per person for a hardback pew bible. Also, for the small price of $3.50 per bible, we can see that it gets into
their hands. It is a small price to pay to see a soul saved for the Kingdom of God. Please help us teach people about the many wonderful manifold blessings of our Lord and help them to further the Kingdom of God in
reaching more people for Christ.
Any gift given to relieve the Spiritual Hunger of these people, is appreciated.