NOW is the time for

Issue 6 • 2010 www.Biblica.com

InDepthTransforming lives through God’s Word

AFRICA

TRANSLATIONSPONSOR

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AFRICA

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Dear Friends,

Africa is making headlines economically and spiritually. In spite of global recession, the encroachment of Islam, and re-emergence of traditional religions, Christianity is blazing. As one observer stated, “I’ve never witnessed such religious fervor as I did in sub-Saharan Africa, from Zimbabwe north through Kenya and west to the Gold Coast.”

This region suffers the deepest poverty, highest HIV/AIDS rates, and lowest life expectancies in the world. And yet, these challenges are a stimulus for the Church to unite and grow.

Biblica works in 55 countries worldwide. In this issue, we focus on our work in Africa. Biblica Africa is partnering with ministries and local churches to serve the African Church by providing God’s Word and biblical resources. This year, Biblica will reach at least 505,200 children and adults in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. We continue to work on 11 crucial Bible translations.

Your support is needed to help provide our brothers and sisters in Africa with biblical resources and programs and to continue the crucial work of Bible translation.

Please join me in reaching Africa today by transforming lives through God’s Word.

Sincerely in Christ,

Doug LockhartCEO North AmericaBiblica

Keith Danby International CEODoug Lockhart CEO North America

Evelyn Lemly President Global Resource Development and Communication

President Biblica FoundationScott Bolinder President Global Publishing

Bob Dinolfo Global CFO

MISSIONTransforming lives through God’s Word

VISIONThe work of Biblica will be complete when every person in the world is given the opportunity to

encounter Jesus Christ through God’s Word and be transformed.

CORE STRATEGIESTranslation • Publishing • Bible Engagement

MINISTRY FOCUSTranslation

Children and Youth Ministry Specialized Ministry Outreach Bible and Church Engagement

Scripture Outreach

WORLDWIDE MINISTRYAfrica

Asia Pacific Europe

Latin America Middle East/North Africa

North America

BRINGING THE BIBLE TO PEOPLE SINCE 1809

CELEBRATING

200YEARS200CELEBRATING

YEARS

TRANSLATIONSPONSOR

Translation sponsor of the English-language New International Version® (NIV®) of the Bible, the most widely read contemporary English translation.

Celebrating more than 200 years in ministry, Biblica provides God’s Word to people through translation, publishing and Bible engagement so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Goal!” This summer soccer fans worldwide cheered their favorite teams in the South Africa-based World Cup soccer games. Kids held mini-tournaments,

and black-and-white soccer balls were ubiquitous in soccer fields, schoolyards, empty lots—wherever you could kick a ball.

“Goal!” was Biblica Africa’s wholehearted cheer, as over 15,000 children and teens responded to our soccer ministry in Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Working with church and ministry partners, we trained volunteer coaches and organized soccer games through which kids learned Christian principles and the gospel message. Many young people scored some very big goals in faith and reconciliation through this timely, fun ministry.

HOSTiLE GaNGSIn predominantly Muslim Senegal, members of two warring gangs dropped hostilities for the opportunity to play in Biblica’s soccer tournaments.

“Fass is the most confrontational neighborhood in Dakar, with gangs that hate each

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Soccer & the GoSpelA winninG combinAtion

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chances of anyone “making it” in their township are zero.

“Did you see shacks we live in? Did you see the roads? We have to take two taxis to go to a library,” one boy said.

Noah, one of the R4L workers, was touched by what the kids said. “I really want to do this,” he said as we continued driving the dusty streets, which have potholes the size of swimming pools and smoke everywhere—people heat and

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throughout central and eastern Kenya attended soccer ministry training to conduct church-based games for 4,000 children and teens.

“Most pastors—even elderly pastors—are eager to support sports ministry,” said Biblica Kenya National

Coordinator Lydia Nunene. “They are excited that sports, previously viewed as a secular activity, can now be married with ministry.”

“In Muslim-dominated areas, we met with Muslims, some who have converted, who insist sports ministry is the most effective way of reaching their community. Sports is a powerful evangelism and discipleship tool!”

a YEar-rOuND PaSSiONFor impoverished African children and teens, soccer games provide a happy respite from desperate living conditions. Children and teens learn God loves and values them. They practice character traits such as courtesy, helpfulness, sharing, discipline, and humility. As they play and work together with church volunteers, they develop a bond church leaders will continue to foster.

The World Cup is over, but soccer is a year-round passion for Africans. As funding allows, Biblica will continue to share the gospel with children and teens through games and mini-tournaments. Thank you for your support of this winning ministry.

hiV/AiDS is a terrible scourge in South Africa. We (Biblica

South Africa staff) use the Reach 4 Life (R4L) New Testament and program to share the gospel and teach young people to refrain from premarital sex.

Recently, we drove to Finetown to meet school headmasters and present Reach 4 Life. One headmaster told us: “There’s a real need for a program like this in our township. As you can see, we have very high fences around the schools to keep the kids willing to learn inside and those who choose crime outside. Anything to help us, we welcome it.”

We drove around, stopping young people and asking them about the challenges they face. Some boys said it does not matter whether you go to school. The

from hiVreScuinG A GenerAtion

—Joy Theron and Thandeka Chauke, Biblica South Africa staff

Biblica InDepth • Issue 6 • 20104

other—enemies forever,” said Biblica Senegal National Coordinator David Bies. “We discussed with the gang leaders how we can love or respect opponents.”

Biblica Senegal staff mixed the gangs in four teams, challenging teens to get to know each other in a fun, neutral setting. Local churches will continue this important ministry of reconciliation in this impoverished area.

“Soccer is a springboard to create a link with families, churches, the national sports association, and schools,” Bies said. “The Christian testimonies and lessons have an impact in families’ lives. We thank the Lord that He opened parents’ eyes to understand that what we are doing is part of their children’s moral and spiritual education.”

By year end, Biblica Senegal hopes to reach 7,000 youth and their families through soccer ministry.

MarriED WiTH MiNiSTrY“Goal!” Our Biblica Kenya staff were amazed that nearly 700 pastors

NEED: Biblical resources for at-risk youth

IMPACT: Over 60,000 African youth hear the gospel

ACTION: Support church-based soccer ministry for african youth

Soccer draws at-risk youth in Fass, Senegal.

Reach 4 Life workers, Noah in white shirt

“We have very high fences around the schools to keep the kids willing to learn inside and those who choose crime outside. Anything to help us, we welcome it.” — Finetown school headmaster

NEED: african teens and preteens need God’s Word and help in living an HiV-free life

IMPACT: 5,500 youth hear the gospel and learn to prevent HIV infection

ACTION: Please give to share R4L with more than 15,600 youth in five African nations

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cook with charcoal, as most cannot afford electricity.

ViSiTOrS aND a MarriaGE PrOPOSaLStudents from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas came to learn about Reach 4 Life. We drove to Tugela Ferry, where we trained them to teach Reach 4 Life. We also took them for a walk in the village. They met people and learned about the Zulu culture. We explained why women had red mud on their faces. The Zulu women grind a stone called ibomvu to make a sunblock cream.

The team enjoyed the people’s friendliness, and one of the Ouachita girls got a marriage proposal! One of the young village men said, “I will give your father any amount of cows he wants. Please marry me.” The answer was “no,” but we had a good laugh.

At Fundokuhle High School, the team taught the “Suicidal Sex” lesson from class to class, and in two hours we had taught 645 students. The team was very good

at teaching, with the help of the peer educators translating from English to Zulu.

Finally, we visited an HIV/AIDS orphanage. We wanted to show the reality of HIV/AIDS and the need for Reach 4 Life to prevent the suffering of innocent children. If their parents had not been infected, these 2- and 3-year-old HIV-positive children would be running with their friends and playing village games. They face a painful death sentence they do not deserve.

Not one more child should suffer from HiV/aiDS! Our goal is to turn the tide against this terrible epidemic and transform lives through God’s Word. With your help, we know we are making a difference for now and eternity.

It is often said that spiritual revival spread through africa like wildfire. This is true—the growth of the Church in sub-Saharan Africa proves God’s Spirit still moves in mighty ways. But it is also true that this revival is sometimes like a flash fire that consumes the top of brush but leaves the dense, wet undergrowth untouched.

In many regions, the Church in Africa is still young and only partially formed. People lack spiritual mentors. They lack resources—even Bibles. There are no resources to train our children.

War, poverty, drought, and entrenched superstitions hamper spiritual growth. Africans are eager to grow in

Christ, but they have no one to teach them even the basics of their faith.

Now is the time to strengthen and mature the Church in Africa. Now is the time to deepen our roots and develop a faithful, knowledgeable Church that cannot be shaken by the attacks of war, poverty, superstition, Islam, or materialism.

Biblica Africa is strengthening the Church in 13 countries through 28 ministry projects to train church leaders and pastors, bring the gospel to children and teens, and translate the Bible so it is clear and understandable in people’s own languages. This year, we hope to provide over 126,300 Bibles and biblical resources through these projects. We have made a good beginning,

but we need your help to continue.

A Message from Benn OmolloGroup Vice President Africa

NOWAFRICAis the time

for

Ouachita students teach R4L in Zulu school.

HIV-positive toddlers at an HIV/AIDS orphanage

Please join us in strengthening the Church in africa.

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DED

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when you think of world powers, does nigeria come to mind?

It should. Nigeria has 155 million people, the largest population of any African nation, ranking eighth in world population. A member of OPEC, it is the eighth-largest exporter of oil. Twenty percent of the oil the U.S. imports comes from Nigeria. The country is also rich in mineral resources and arable land.

Nigeria is also a nation of gifted individuals, including the first African Nobel Prize winner for literature, Wole Soyinka; award-winning author Chinua Achebe; and musicians Seal and Sade. Americans who trace their lineage to Nigeria include actors Forest Whitaker and Blair Underwood and pastor/author T.D. Jakes.

Turf WarSHowever, although Nigeria is a gifted nation with abundant natural resources, it is also deeply divided by religious and

ethnic differences. The Muslim Hausa-Fulani of the desert-like north; the Christian Igbo (pronounced ee-bo), Ibibio, and Efik (pronounced eff-ik) of the oil-rich southeast; and the Christian, Muslim, and animist Yoruba of the southwest have battled for economic, political, and military power since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

Remember Biafra? The southeastern Igbo region seceded from Nigeria in 1967 to form this short-lived nation. The ensuing 30-month civil war resulted in more than 1 million deaths and cemented ethnic hostilities. The federal government remains dominated by the northern Muslim states, and frequent ethnic clashes continue today.

Violence is especially common in Nigeria’s north and central regions. Muslim herders sometimes conduct raids on Christian

villages to displace them and seize their land for grazing their livestock. Villages near the city of Jos are especially vulnerable, and more than 1,500 people, most of them Christian villagers, have been killed this year.

However, violence and persecution are not one-sided. Mosques have been razed, businesses destroyed, and Muslims killed in sectarian riots started by Christian mobs. Fear, greed, and longstanding resentments flame animosity among all parties.

The gospel of peace is crucial to true reconciliation and the future of this important yet volatile nation. To help bring about this reconciliation, Biblica Nigeria is working on four Bible translations to make God’s Word accessible to the Efik, Hausa, Ibibio, and Yoruba people.

A NATION

DIVIM

ELVIN BA

KERATTAW

AYJL

Hausa harpist

NEED: funding to complete four Bible translations

IMPACT: The gospel of peace comes to more than 155 million Nigerians

ACTION: Give so 79 million Nigerians have God’s Word in their language

GOOD NEWS fOr THE EfiKMore than 3 million Nigerians in the southeast and southern region speak Efik as their mother tongue. About 60 percent of the population is nominally Christian, while 40 percent is animist. Efik is a trade language, yet the only Bible version available was published in 1868 and is extremely difficult to read and understand.

Biblica published the Obufa Ediomi (New Testament) 16 years ago and is now working on the Old Testament. A full Bible in Efik will play a major role in evangelism and discipleship and will help Efik speakers withstand the resurgence of animism and encroachment of Islam. The estimated completion date of the Old Testament is 2014.

NO BIBLE Of THEir OWN The Ibibio people number more than 3 million, and they have embraced Christianity for more than a century.

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Unlike many major people groups, Ibibio speakers have never had a Bible in their language. They rely on an Efik translation understood only by a few old people who speak and read Efik. The languages have similarities, but are not the same.

Biblica’s Ibibio New Testament translation will aid in evangelism and in producing a children’s Bible. It will help churches reach young people, who form 60 percent of the Ibibio population. The estimated completion date of the Ibibio New Testament is 2015.

HauSa iNfLuENCE iN WEST afriCaOne of the major world languages, Hausa is spoken by more than 22 million people in West Africa as a first language and another 17 million as a second language. Used within the predominantly Muslim culture, it is a major trade language throughout West Africa, even among Christians.

A dynamic Hausa Church, grounded in the Word of God, could have great impact in reaching the Muslim population. Biblica is translating the Old and New Testaments into Hausa to provide the Church with a contemporary, accurate Bible translation. Estimated completion dates are 2010 for the New Testament and 2015 for the Old Testament.

ONE GOD, 400 SpIrITSIn the Yoruba people’s ancient belief system, there is one god, about 400 spirits that control daily life, and life after death. The Yoruba belief in one god made it easy for them to identify and embrace Christianity. However, they have found it just as easy to adopt Islam.

gifted people groups with clear, accurate, contemporary translations of God’s Word. Please join us by supporting Bible translations so more than 155 million Nigerians can know the power of God’s Word and Spirit to bring inner peace and national reconciliation.

The 29 million Yoruba, who are one of Africa’s largest ethnic groups, tend to blend spiritism with Islam and Christianity. Pride in African heritage is leading many to reject European influences, including Christianity, and embrace tribal religions.

A new, contemporary Bible translation is crucial in bolstering the Yoruba Church, which seeks to spur Nigerian youths’ interest in the gospel message. Biblica has worked on a new Yoruba Bible for about 13 years. In the next nine to 12 months we plan to typeset and print 20,000 copies, if funding allows.

PrOCLaiMiNG THE GOSPEL Of PEaCEGod calls us to bring the gospel of peace to Nigeria by presenting these varied,

The gospel of peace is crucial to true reconciliation and the future of this important yet volatile nation.

PJ O

tter

ERIC CHA

N

Yoruba wedding guestsIgbo churchgoers

‘WHaT aNSWEr WiLL YOu GiVE?’A voice reminded him, “You said you would never part from the Lord, but if you die, what answer will you give Him?” The voice also asked, “Why aren’t you going to church?”

Conviction gripped his soul. The next day Joseph found his dusty Bible and walked to church with a fellow believer. When the altar call came, he went up front and knelt, repenting in tears.

The man who brought Joseph to church became his friend and mentor. A nephew also mentored him, and soon Joseph and his nephew were preaching and evangelizing in surrounding areas. In 1995, two years after becoming a Christian, despite having just a grade-10 education, Joseph became the pastor of a nearby church.

Joseph’s week is mostly spent looking for ways to provide for his family. “I am not a full-time pastor,” he said. “I have nine children, three of whom are orphans I adopted. I would not be a good example if I did not take care of them.”

He faces many challenges as a pastor. He lacks training, lacks even a study Bible, and receives no support from his church. Like many pastors, he also lacks means of transportation. “With no bicycle, if God has given you a burden to visit many churches, it is very frustrating because you can’t get there,” he said.

Biblica InDepth • Issue 6 • 2010

EquippedJoseph epedu is the 46-year-old pastor of a small village church near Soroti, eastern Uganda. He preaches, evangelizes in nearby areas, and cautions

villagers about drunkenness and idleness.

“The local culture forbids people to listen to Christ,” he said. “It says drinking is acceptable. Liquor is put on babies’ tongues at a very young age. But drunkenness leads to idleness and eats up a family’s resources. Demonic beliefs are also a challenge. Poverty comes from all these things.”

Joseph’s father had many wives, and his mother was responsible for providing for her children’s needs. Young Joseph helped out. During his school years, he gardened, cooked, worked in construction, shepherded, and sold cattle. Often his education suffered, especially in grade 10, when he traveled distances of up to 50 miles to tend his uncle’s cattle.

Joseph quit school when he learned he had tuberculosis. His life became aimless. In subsequent years, he turned from God, drank, and became an absent husband and provider.

Then one night he had a dream.

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with eternal truth

Joseph Epedu

NEED: funding to conduct Equipping Church Leaders seminars in four nations

IMPACT: Nearly 700 churches in Africa gain skilled pastors and biblical resources

ACTION: Give to strengthen the african Church with the truth of God’s Word

and bicycle to attend one- to three-day seminars. They will receive study Bibles to help them grow in Scripture knowledge, as well as training manuals.

“Our ultimate goal is that they become capable church leaders who properly expound the Word of truth,” said Biblica Uganda National Director Christopher Yikii. “With increasing secularism and the rise of preachers of false gospels and selfish pastors who seek to commercialize ministry, it’s become critical to equip church leaders in authentic biblical preaching.”

Please join us in this crucial work, strengthening the African Church by equipping her spiritual leaders to preach, teach, and practice the Word of God.

(Joseph’s interview was conducted by Josiah Bokma, who served as a missionary in Soroti, Uganda.)

Dear Friends,

In 55 countries worldwide, Biblica is bringing God’s Word to pastors, children, prison inmates, those who have no access to the Bible in their language, and many others. We partner with ministries and with local churches to provide God’s Word in ways that best suit community, cultural, and individual needs.

For instance, Biblica works with churches in Romania to provide orphans with Sunday school materials that assure them of God’s love. We partner with churches to conduct our Reach 4 Life HIV/AIDS prevention program with teens in Thai schools. Biblica also brings new, contemporary Bible translations in vernacular languages to people groups who lack modern, readable, accurate Bibles.

The common thread that runs through all 113 Biblica projects is the emphasis on the power of God’s Word to transform lives for eternity. Another common thread is our partnership with friends like you to make God’s Word available. Because of your support, tremendous ministry is taking place worldwide to the glory of God. Thank you, and may God richly bless you.

In His service,

Keith DanbyInternational CEOBiblica

www.Biblica.com

DaNGErOuS BELiEfSPastor Joseph’s situation is typical. Untrained, unpaid church leaders work in tiny villages isolated from large cities. Yet, they deal with big city issues— HIV/AIDS, terrorist raids, malaria and cholera, famine, drought, and the spread of Islam.

Because so many churches lack a biblical foundation, dangerous beliefs creep in and take hold. How dangerous? Since 2000, many African churches have conducted exorcisms on children, convinced they’re witches. In the process, children are killed, tortured, horribly maimed, or cast out of communities to fend for themselves. In one large Nigerian city, an estimated 15,000 street children were abandoned as witches.

Cultic beliefs aren’t limited to Africa—they’re prevalent worldwide. But the lack of access to biblical training in Africa and the strong undercurrent of traditional religions make it easy for them to flourish there. From Islam to Baha’i to animistic belief systems, false religions lead people to spiritual—and sometimes physical—destruction.

BiBLiCaL PrEaCHiNGThis year, as funding allows, Biblica will strengthen the African Church in four nations by equipping pastors and church leaders to lead their congregations in the truth of God’s Word. Nearly 700 pastors and church leaders in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Kenya will travel by foot, bus,

Biblica InDepth • Issue 6 • 201014

Since 2000, many African churches have conducted exorcisms on children, convinced they’re witches. Children are killed, tortured, horribly maimed, or abandoned. All over the world this gospel

is bearing fruit and growing. Colossians 1:6 NIV®

biblica’s passion is to see lives transformed by God’s Word. One of the ways we do this is through prayer for people in every nation to encounter Jesus Christ and receive the gospel of peace with God. But how and where do we begin to pray on a global scale?

Operation World is the definitive, daily prayer guide to every nation. The detailed information on people groups, mission organizations, and churches will inform your prayers and motivate your heart to action. A standard reference for more than 30 years for churches, missions groups, homeschoolers, and individuals, Operation World is essential to world evangelism and missions.

The new edition of Operation World launches this month. Get your copy, and become part of the answer to God’s call to the world for salvation.

Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 NIV®

1820 Jet Stream Dr • Colorado Springs CO 80921 • 1-800-987-35956155

www.Biblica.comwww.facebook.com/Biblicawww.twitter.com/BiblicaMinistry

With special guests:Jason Mandryk, Editor of Operation WorldMax Lucado, Author, SpeakerTom White, Voice of the MartyrsAnne Graham Lotz, Author, SpeakerLouis Sutton, International Dir. WEC InternationalJoni Eareckson Tada, Author, Speaker And more, with reports from around the world

go toWWW.opErATionWorLd.orG for all the details

tuesdayNov. 9, 2010

12 NooN aNd agaiN at7 pm ceNtral time u.s.

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