 |
| |
|
by Chairman Richard Halstead and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Willis
Governance
To download a PDF of the Annual Report 2007, click here.
Governance
2007 marked 200 years since the work of Bible Society began in this country. The British and Foreign Bible Society was established in 1804 and just three years later, Bibles were being distributed here in Australia through the connection with the Society. In those days the work was primarily in the colony however there was also a contribution made to Britain which assisted with the ever expanding overseas work of the Society. This has remained the pattern for work through to the present.
In 1817 the NSW Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was formally constituted and in 1927 we were incorporated under an Act of the NSW Parliament. That Act, and until September 2007 the Rules associated with it, governed the operation of the Society. With such a rich and diverse history the General Committee, which governs the Society, has found it difficult to move away from this solid foundation. However, there have been many changes in our government and the laws governing organisations like ours. Many of the government departments that Bible Society was to report to no longer exist and changes in governance responsibilities has meant a greater vigilance required by the General Committee. All this has led to a rethink of the way we are constituted and governed.
Much debate, discussion and prayer has contributed to the decision to move from a statutory body to a company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001. This has involved consultation with all staff, Board and members of the Society. The process is complex requiring the promotion of two Acts of Parliament and a number of Special Meetings of members of the Society.
On 27 September 2007, a Special Meeting of members unanimously voted to adopt a new set of Rules, to adopt a new constitution and to move towards incorporation as a company. To date the Rules of 27 September 2007 have been registered and are operational. The constitution is still in draft form and will need to be brought to a Special Meeting of members for its adoption. A brief has been prepared and submitted to the Attorney General in order to prepare legislation to promote an Act to allow the process to proceed. Once this Act has been passed by the Parliament, we will be able to proceed with bringing the draft constitution to our members for their adoption. Following the adoption of the constitution by Bible Society members, a further Act is required by the Parliament to finalise the conversion from a statutory body to a company limited by guarantee. Even after this process is finalised the adopted constitution may be amended by subsequent meetings of members.
All this has required careful negotiation to ensure that the organisation we were in 1817 is the same organisation that we will be at the end of the conversion process. Our mission:
|
To achieve the widest possible, effective and meaningful distribution
of the Holy Scriptures, by providing the Word of God to people in a
language they can understand, in a format they can use, and at a price
they can afford, and helping people to interact with the Word of God … |
remains firmly embedded in the draft constitution and our current Board and staff are working hard to ensure the Society remains focused on its achievement.
Panel Of Reference
One change that is significant is that denominational representatives are no longer automatically members of the Board. The members of the Society have the right and privilege of electing the directors of Bible Society’s Board. To ensure we do not lose connection with the church a new group has been established called the Panel of Reference. At the Annual Meeting the members of the Society now have the responsibility of appointing members to the Panel of Reference. Denominations will recommend a person to represent them on the Panel, however, it will be the members who endorse their appointment which will be for a term of three years.
We believe the separation of governance issues from the needs of resourcing the church will bring a closer connection with the church and a greater understanding of their needs. The Chairman of the Board and the CEO will be ex-officio members of the Panel, ensuring a close relationship between the two groups. Over the past year the staff have been building our network amongst churches and we now have in excess of 245 volunteer church representatives who actively promote the cause of Bible Society on a regular basis. They receive training and are continually monitored to ensure promotion of the Society is consistent.
Strategic Plan
2007-2010
Throughout the process of working on these changes we have developed a Strategic Plan for the future. This work has resulted in position descriptions for all roles within the Society, ensuring staff are focused and striving to achieve targets each year.
Policies for management and board have been developed to ensure we meet current standards and comply with legislation. Occupational Health and Safety regulations, Human Resource issues and operational procedures are being addressed and documented.
The development of the draft constitution, rules, organisational structure, policies and procedures have come at a cost, however, the Board has seen this as a 10 year investment which will enable us to work effectively into the future.
Mission
Over the past three years we have been concentrating on ensuring all the projects we support meet our policies.
We are now able to report that 100 percent of our projects meet our criteria for audit and acquital purposes. We receive regular updates on all projects which has come about through a memorandum of understanding being entered into with all involved in a project.
The quality and impact of our projects is having far reaching effect to the extent that some governments are even requesting expansion of the projects to cover the whole country. Detailed coverage on current projects appear later in the report.
Fundraising
One of our greatest assets is the information we have regarding our donors. We have recently installed a new database which enables us to understand the needs of our donors better. There is still much to be done in maintaining the database, however, we are now in a better position to evaluate the cost of raising funds, where we can save and how we can be more effective in communicating with our supporters.
Our fundraising team have worked well over the year and have been recognised by their peers in the fundraising industry by receiving three Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) awards.
The awards were all for the campaign which raised funds towards the Cambodian Literacy project using the ZVox audio device.
Category 3 – Budget Renewal – Chapter 2 award
Category 3 – Budget Renewal – National award
Most Outstanding Fundraising Project 2007 – Special Commendation
Judges’ comment: “The literacy barrier in Cambodia was addressed in an original way and images used in supporting material were compelling. The tie between objectives of the campaign and the material was very clear. The ZVox brought the campaign to life. The strategy showed originality and success in tackling third world issues, in a practical way.”
In 2007, we held our inaugural Annual Fundraising Dinner targeting corporate sponsors. The Dinner was a great success with international speaker, Rebecca Manly Pippert giving the address for the evening. Part of the Strategic Plan is to grow this sector of our supporters. However, most corporates within Australia are national organisations and are looking for a national organisation to support. This has meant that we need to include a strategy to achieve a national organisation within the short term if we are to make inroads into this market.
Throughout the year many “showcases” were held across the state to educate and inform churches, pastors and our supporters of the work of the Society. The breadth of our work continues to amaze those who attend.
Communication
Keeping the name of Bible Society before the public is a constant issue for us. Press releases are sent out weekly to both secular and religious press and we are no longer surprised when we receive reports of one of our articles appearing in a foreign newspaper. Articles have appeared in New Zealand, Canada, China, Norway to name just a few, and of course in Australia.
We have sponosored the Australian Christian Channel program ‘Face to Face’ and produced “Easter: A World of Difference” which aired on the Seven Network on Good Friday (2007 & 2008).
Each year we produce a Project’s DVD which has video footage of each project being supported. These vignettes are used in churches and home groups to help supporters understand the impact of the program.
The Future
We believe Bible Society is well positioned for the future and thank all our generous supporters who give of their time, talent and money to ensure the great work of Bible translation, distribution, and engagement continues for those who are in need of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is to Him that we give all the glory for the past year’s achievements.
|
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28) |
Back To Top
Mr Greg Anderson joined the Board in 2007. He heads Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, after having served
with the Church Missionary Society for twelve years among the
indigenous churches of the Northern Territory. He is married to
Annette, and they have four school-aged children. He attends St
Michael’s Anglican Church, Surry Hills. Greg also serves on the Sydney
Anglican Indigenous People’s Ministry Committee. (Co-opted to Board,
September 2007)
Meetings: 6 Attended: 5
Mr Ken Smith joined the General Committee in 1997. He is a practicing
psychologist and an active member of the Christian Psychologists Group
(CAPIG) of the Australian Psychological Society. He and his wife Ruth
worship at the North Belconnen Baptist Church Evatt, ACT where both
find their skills well utilised.
Meetings: 8 Attended: 7
Mr Alan Best joined the General Committee in 2002, representing the
Fellowship of Congregational Churches; he commenced as their General
Secretary in March, 2002. Alan has worked as a high school teacher for
32 years and continues to do so in a part-time capacity. His home
church is Miranda Congregational Church and he is the Assistant Pastor
(part time) at Padstow Chinese Congregational Church (English
Congregation). Alan retired in December, 2007
Meetings: 8 Attended: 7
Envoy Ivan Kelly serves on the Executive Committee and has been the
Salvation Army denominational representative for 21 years. He is also a
Vice President and serves on the Audit and Governance sub-committees of
the board. Ivan is founding director and Chairman of Australia’s
leading children’s ministry organisations Logosdor Limited and
Enterprise Alpha Studios Pty Ltd.
Meetings: 12 Attended: 11
Rev Dr Roger Chilton has been a member of the General Committee (and
Executive) since 1997 and was Chairman from 1999 to 2004. He is
currently a Vice President of the Society and the Anglican
Representative on the Committee. He is currently the Rector of St
Swithun’s Anglican Church, Pymble. Roger is married to Sue and they
have four teenage children. Prior to entering the ordained ministry,
Roger worked as a lawyer in Sydney. Before coming to Pymble, he worked
in country parishes in NSW and prior to this he had studied theology in
Sydney, Vancouver and Oxford. Among his interests, Roger enjoys
fishing, reading, gardening, skiing and croquet.
Meetings: 12 Attended: 11
Shirley Andrews joined the General Committee in 1997. She and her
husband Bob, a pastor, served with the Church Missionary Society in
East Africa, and also in Sydney churches. She continues to write TEE
texts for an all-Africa syllabus. Shirley and Bob attend St Martin’s,
Georges Hall.
Meetings: 11 Attended 9
Martin Teulan has been the National Director of Catholic Mission since
Nov 2007. Prior to Catholic Mission he was the Chief Operating Officer
for Church Resources and the Marketing Manager with Wesley Mission. He
attends the Catholic Church and is married with three children.
Meetings: 12 Attended 11
|
Colman Chan has served on the Bible Society’s General Committee since
1993. He attends West Sydney Chinese Christian Church, Strathfield.
Colman is a metallurgist and businessman and technical consultant,
Board member and Project Coordinator for a number of missions.
Meetings: 7 Attended 6
Mr Alan Soden joined the General Committee in February 2005 and is the
Baptist Representative. Current General Secretary Baptist Union of
NSW, National Secretary Baptist Union of Australia, Company Secretary
and Director Baptist Investments & Finance. Varied background
including 10 years with church and not-for-profit organisations and 20
years in the energy industry – gas engineering, control systems,
training, marketing, public relations, public affairs, general
management.
Meetings: 11 Attended: 10
Mr Geoff Kells rejoined the board in the second half of 2007 after a
short break in his term as a director. He is the chairman of several
companies mostly in the private equity field and consults to various
public and private companies and CEOs. He also chairs the Vincent
Fairfax Family Foundation, the Anglican Retirement Villages and the
work of Opportunity International in China. He is a director of
Opportunity International in Australia and Hong Kong and on the board
of other not for profit organisations. He attends Christ Church at
Lavender Bay in Sydney. (Filled casual vacancy, September, 2007)
Meetings: 6 Attended: 5
Mr Richard Halstead has served on the General Committee for 18 years.
He and his wife Sue manage several Liberty Service Stations along with
interests in a building and land development company. He has been
deeply involved in the Christian school movement and presently worships
at Belmont Baptist Church. He is part of a past leaders support group
for Bulli Beach Mission. Richard is currently the Chairman of the
Board.
Meetings: 12 Attended: 12
Julie Waddy joined Bible Society NSW in August 2007. She was a former
Bible Translator in North Australia. She is currently working with
Anglicare as a family Support Worker. She has been a CMS missionary
from 1975 to 2006. Julie attends Ruach Neighbourhood Church. (Co-opted
to Board, September 2007)
Meetings: 6 Attended: 6
|
Back To Top
During 2007, Bible Society NSW donors supported the following projects.
Audio recording of the Gospels in Kriol
This project’s aim was to audio record the Gospel of Mark in the Kriol language, following the completion of the Kriol Bible. There were considerable difficulties and delays with this project because of the project’s dependence on indigenous volunteers to do the recording.
The recording of the Gospel of Mark was completed in December and it is now in Darwin for editing and checking for accuracy. When editing is completed we will progress with the replication process.
Australian Defence Forces
Bible Society NSW worked with the Senior Chaplain of Training for the Australian Navy to produce Scripture based materials that are handed out to each Navy recruit during induction.
The Bible booklets cover four topics relevant to Navy personnel;
• Beyond Words – Help and encouragement for wise parenting
• Out of the Blue – Hope for the heavy hearted
• At the Crossroads – Turning away from addictions
• Standing together – Help for strengthening your marriage.
The Bible brochure, “Over the Sea” is produced for Navy personnel to take while on duty. It includes topics such as:
• Uncertainty
• Courage
• Doubt
• Certainty
During 2007, Bible Society NSW provided 5,000 Bibles to be distributed in 2008 to personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries where Australian troops are deployed.
Bible Society NSW Bookshop
2007 was a good year for the bookshop. Our strategic planning as an organisation re-affirmed the role of the bookshop as a specialist Bible shop and provider of Christian resources to supporters, churches, church organisations and the community. In the shop we also re-committed to being a strategic communications hub for Bible Society NSW, building relationships with our customers, and sharing information about Bible Society projects and events run throughout the year.
Last year we also focused on developing innovative and creative catalogues which we mailed to our supporters. These catalogues reflected the stock available in our shop, and were aimed at helping to resource our supporters throughout NSW with Bibles and Christian resources and gifts as they needed them. We had wonderful responses, building a base of mail order customers, which we expect to see continue throughout 2008 and beyond.
We also had the wonderful opportunity to provide the bookshop for the missions conference, ‘Reach Out’, which was held at the Katoomba Convention centre in August. This conference, widely attended by representatives from mission agencies and those interested in mission work, provided an excellent environment for us to provide specific resources through our bookshop.
Another highlight was the visit by Rebecca Manley Pippert. Representatives from our bookshop went to nearly every event Rebecca spoke at, and had the opportunity to sell her books to those interested.
The busyness of Rebecca’s visit merged into the busyness of Christmas with our Bible Society NSW Christmas cards, which focused on the message of ‘Bringing Christ back into Christmas’, being particularly good sellers. We also saw good sales of our newly produced product, a Women’s New Testament in the Good News Version and a Gospel of Luke produced for women with testimonies throughout, entitled ‘He Loves me, He Loves me not, He Loves me’.
Grants Program
Bible Society NSW sets aside funds each year to help prison and hospital chaplains provide a copy of God’s Word to inmates and patients and to give theological students a copy of the Hebrew or Greek scriptures. During the year, we provided over $64,000 worth of free Scripture to our partners. This equates to over 25,000 pieces of Scripture being distributed through the various chaplains and Theological Colleges.
Jesus. All about life
During the year, the third Jesus. All about life campaign was run in Tasmania during September and October. This was the first state-wide campaign (following Adelaide and Canberra/ACT). A local committee was formed to work with Tasmanian Churches with 208 signing up to be a part of the campaign. This was the highest number of churches involved in any combined event in Tasmania’s history.
The local committee raised over $200,000 for the media buy and running costs of the campaign. The churches are now looking at what else they can do together in their state.
During the year we also met with denominational and church leaders in Sydney and received their commitment to support a Sydney wide campaign in September, 2009.
Support came from the Sydney Anglican Diocese; Salvation Army; NSW Baptist Churches; Churches of Christ; Hillsong; Assemblies of God (Australian Christian Churches); Christian Brethren Assemblies; Uniting Church, NSW Synod; Wesley Mission, Sydney; Congregational Churches and the NSW Council of Churches.
As far as we’re able to determine, this is the first time that these denominations have agreed to wo
rk together and support the same evangelistic outreach campaign. In our discussions, Bible Society NSW was seen as the one organisation that was acceptable to all.
The Churches of Western Australia also committed to support a Jesus. All about life campaign across the state in October/November, 2008. A local committee is in place with support from Bible Society WA.
Jesus Racing
At the beginning of the year, we were approached by Andrew Fisher,
a competitor in the V8 Ute Racing Series that is run as part of the V8 Supercar Series around Australia. He wanted to use the ‘Jesus. All about life’ logo on his Ute. Since then we have developed a whole new ministry with Andrew invited to speak at schools, church youth groups and conventions about his faith. This will continue to grow in 2008.
Sports DVD and New Testament
Bible Society NSW is producing a DVD containing interviews and testimonies from 11 Christian sports persons. The DVD will be packaged with a Sports New Testament being produced by Bible Society in Australia, which will also carry the testimonies featured on the DVD.
Along with the testimonies, the athletes will be answering life questions from the perspective of an elite Christian athlete.
We have now recorded interviews and overlay footage of the following sportsmen and women:
• Aaron Baddeley – Golf Professional (pictured right)
• Brad Thorn – Rugby League and Union
• Mark Seaby - AFL
• Andrew Swallow - AFL
• Jason Stevens – Rugby League (Pictured right)
• Jason Smith – Rugby League
• Deb Lovely - Weightlifter (Pictured right)
• Joey Peters – Women’s Soccer
• PJ Marsh – Rugby League
• David Simmons – Rugby League
• Allison Shreeve – Windsurfing
Editing and writing of the testimonies for the printed New Testament has just started with a release date of May, 2008.
Wontulp bi Buya
Indigenous Theological College
For the past five years, Bible Society NSW donors have supported Father Barry Paterson, the college’s theology lecturer. Barry has announced his retirement and we will be working with Wontulp over the next months to find a new theology teacher.
Fr. Paterson’s responsibilities for 2007 included writing and updating the Diploma of Theology teaching material and assessment tasks in compliance with college policy. His role also included teaching the Diploma of Theology students and supporting students while they were studying away from the college in their local community.
Student Update
Four graduates from Certificate III in Theology enrolled in the Diploma of Theology course in November joining the 26 who are at various stages of completion. New students are from Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Community; St Pauls Community, Moa Island, Torres Strait; Ingham and Woorabinda Aboriginal Community.
|
Six Diploma students have now graduated and returned to their respective communities to continue in their ministry and leadership roles.
Fr. Paterson has been preparing the training materials for the new Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a required qualification for our Indigenous graduates who assist in teaching courses etc. in their local community. Fr Paterson will continue to assist with the development of the materials, despite his retirement in February 2008.
Online learning
In 2007, Fr Paterson prepared the framework for an online learning system using the open source Moodle program. After further development, this will assist many Indigenous people who are unable to commit to residential studies due to work and family commitments.
Indigenous Theology Workshops
Following requests from the Diocesan Ministry Development Officer of the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland, Wontulp agreed to hold weekend workshops to help non-Indigenous people understand Christianity from the Indigenous point of view. The workshops are using appropriate studies from the Diploma of Theology course.
The Field Ministry has been hampered by major incidents at the local community of Yarrabah which Father Mick Connolly and his wife Val have spent time addressing.
All of these situations have been settled.
Father Mick and Val were able to travel to the Cape on the 15th September to visit Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Coen, Weipa, and Napranum, helping students who attend the College and promoting it to others. During their stop in Weipa, Father Mick met with the local newspaper who agreed to put Bibles studies for Indigenous people in their paper.
Back To Top
Cambodia
500 Hours of Hope – Zvox Project
This project uses a solid state audio player called ZVox as a tool for pastors to educate their communities and build their churches.
It also aims to assist churches in implementing educational sessions in their churches and communities with illiterate villagers and members of their congregations. It is run in conjunction with local partner, Samaritan’s Purse.
By October, Samaritan’s Purse (SP) project staff were trained on the two tracks and four curricula modules of the project. Educators within each church community were identified through discussion with pastors and observation.
Training sessions with participating churches throughout Cambodia were held to teach each church how to use the ZVox and how best to facilitate a lesson using the player.
The support materials include an HIV/AIDS flipchart and an oral Bible Study flipchart. Project staff trained 209 leaders and distributed 481 players during the year. Those trained were rural pastors and other church leaders representing six different denominations. In total, 13 provinces will be covered by the initial ZVox project with 1,016 Bibles given to those who attended the training.
Battambong Province
• 1,056 beneficiaries listened to the lessons each month.
• 112 became new believers because of the project.
Takeo Province
• 2,588 beneficiaries listened to the lessons each month.
• Eighty-one people became new believers because of the project.
Samaritan’s Purse project staff have created a monitoring and evaluation schedule to travel to each of the 13 provinces where the ZVox has been distributed.
Cambodia Literacy Project – in conjunction with Bible Society Cambodia
During 2007, Bible Society Cambodia’s (BSC) Bible based literacy program has developed and expanded into seven provinces as well as the capital, Phnom Penh.
A total of 1,331 students in 133 classes have completed their training. Due to a vacancy in the General Secretary position in Cambodia, this number is below the target for 2007. The UBS Asia Pacific Regional Service Centre has taken over the running of BSC to bring this project back on schedule and meet the objectives for 2008 and 2009.
The percentage of success (those who can read after a period of three months) is 65 percent. Among those who do not succeed, sixty percent will persevere and start again. Each student who has learnt to read has received a New Testament or Gospel.
The Megavoice audio player is being shipped to Cambodia to be used as a trial to replace the current cassette players that are powered by a car battery. It is hoped that it will be easy for leaders to carry out the classes without having to carry a car battery.
China
Bible Distribution
Bible Society NSW staff visited two Catholic churches in May, 2007 to distribute 2,300 Bibles. In October, our cross-cultural staff member, David Lim, took a team of five to distribute 2,000 Bibles to churches in the Fujian province. We are also working with the United Bible Societies on a three-year plan for Bible distribution in the country.
The Amity Printing Press - Nanjing
The Amity Printing press has just printed the 50th million Bible since it opened in 1986. The tremendous growth of the press has meant that a new press was planned to cope with the demand. It will open in May, 2008 in a new industrial area of Nanjing.
The establishment of a Bible printing press in Mainland China in the 80’s was a miracle of God. Here are some highlights of the past twenty years:
• The Amity Printing Press was set up 10 years after the Cultural Revolution when churches were closed and Bibles were confiscated, burned, destroyed and banned.
• Millions of dollars were raised by the United Bible Societies (UBS) fellowship all over the world to fund the construction and operation of the press.
• In 1988 (the first full year of production), 0.5 million copies were printed; in 2007, over 6.0 million copies were printed – a twelve-fold increase!
• It took the press eight years to reach its first 10 million copies, and only 20 months to reach its fifth, 10 million copies.
• The press began by printing Bibles in Chinese for the Church in China; now it prints Bibles in 75 different languages for Bible Societies and publishes to over 60 countries.
• Of the 50 million copies, 41 million copies were delivered to churches all over China and distributed to millions of Chinese Christians hungering for the Word and non Christians seeking the Truth.
• The paper for all these 41 million copies, was funded by supporters and donors of the UBS fellowship, requiring millions of dollars each year.
• The new facilities will double the annual capacity from 6 million copies a year to 12 million copies a year.
• The publishing, printing and distribution of the Bibles received strong support from the Chinese Government and the Communist Party all these years.
Along with this achievement, the Amity Press has been asked to provide the Bibles at the 2008 Olympics.
The Director General of China State Administration for Religious Affairs, Minister Ye Xiaowen, said free, high-quality Bibles would be made available to participants in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Rev Cao Shengje, President of CCC, said the Games would be a great opportunity for sharing between Chinese Christians and Christians around the world.
Sri Lanka
Faith Comes by Hearing (FCBH)
We are partnering with the ‘Faith Comes by Hearing’ organisation which aims to set up Bible listening groups so that God’s Word can be heard by as many people as possible. The project continues to move slowly in Sri Lanka due to the unstable political conditions. In the past year, 141 listening groups have been established out of a planned 400.
Sri Lankans are hearing the Word of God in their heart language and are blessed by it, but with no relief in sight from the current situation, we are unsure of the future. However after a meeting with FCBH and Bible Society Sri Lanka, we will continue to support this project despite the slow rate of listening groups being established.
Philippines
In partnership with FCBH, Bible Society, Philippines (BSP) and Bible League, Philippines (BLP), we planned to fund 1,500 FCBH listening groups over a three year period. Each listening group has committed to playing the New Testament tapes at least once a week for 30 minutes.
The Tagalog program has been a terrific success. In just 15 months, 1,500 listening groups have been established. They meet at least once a week, and many meet daily. The groups have been established in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
An additional 750 Proclaimers (audio player) were sent mid-January 2008 to continue the momentum of the project. These Proclaimers will be used in projects run by Bible Society, Philippines, the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and other ministry partners.
Thailand
Bibles for GAiN Medical Mission trips
Bible Society provided 4,331 Bibles for GAiN’s medical mission trip to Thailand in December 2007 with all the Bibles distributed during the trip. During the trip 300 patients were treated daily by GAiN’s medical team with the team also running children’s programs.
This project has been able to receive more Bibles than forecast, due to extra funding from Bible Society WA with over 18,000 pieces of Scripture going into Thailand and Cambodia.
South Pacific
Fiji - Kid’s Games
Kid’s Games was created by our partner, Logosdor and involves school children taking part in a week long event, based on the Olympics.
Kid’s Games was held in Fiji and Samoa during 2007 with Bible Society NSW providing 2,100 Bibles to the children who took part. Another 250 Bibles were distributed to children who participated in Kids Games, on Mana Island – just off Fiji.
Austria
Bibles for Refugees
This project aims to fund the distribution of Bibles to North African and Baltic refugees who are in refugee camps or detention centres in Austria.
During the year, we distributed 680 full Bibles to refugees and the libraries of refugee institutions and detention centres in 41 languages. In addition 40 New Testament and 50 devotional Bible based books were placed. Our partner, the Austrian Bible Society also seeks to build relationships with the 12 state detention centres and the eight different refugee organisations.
The project will fund 3,500 Bibles over three years.
Back To Top
Côte d’Ivoire Literacy Project
The project aims to increase literacy not just amongst Christians but in the wider population of each of seven language groups through Bible based literacy classes. We are partnering with the Alliance of Evangelical Churches of Côte d’Ivoire and the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Côte d’Ivoire. We aim to help the people of Côte d’Ivoire read, using Bible based New Readers and to also improve their life situation.
During the year, 96 teachers have been trained and 41 literacy classes started in the seven languages.
Kenya and Uganda
HIV AIDS Project
This project, in partnership with African Enterprise (AE), has completed its three year funding cycle from Bible Society NSW. Its aim was to improve the literacy of children and adults through HIV AIDS education and awareness. Using the Bible and Biblical principles, people were taught how to avoid contracting HIV AIDS and also heard how God loves them.
During 2007, the final year of the project, 27,625 school children learnt about HIV AIDS awareness and 126 adults were educated through the Home Base Care component to care for HIV AIDS patients in their own homes.
In the three years of the project, 85,125 school children learnt about HIV AIDS awareness with 650 adults educated in caring for patients at home.
Both AE Kenya and AE Uganda kept a record of the number of people who provided testimonies that they have accepted Jesus as their personal saviour through the project. Two-hundred people said that the course had led them to accept Jesus Christ.
The most significant impact of the HBC program are behavioural and attitudinal changes, i.e. many now recognise the importance of strengthening their relationship with God. The AIDS patients especially were very touched by the counselling provided and the reassurance that God loves them despite their condition.
In both Kenya and Uganda, 3,000 students said that they have accepted Jesus as their personal saviour There were many others who did not, but teachers observed that the behaviour of these students changed positively. Transformation in this context, is change of behaviour from leading a sinful life (e.g. sexual immorality) to a life of love, self control and faithfulness. This behaviour was particularly observed during Take Charge club activities.
Rwanda
Reconciliation Project
This projects aims to improve the literacy of children by using Bible-based text books on the theme of reconciliation. Children are taught about reconciliation from a Biblical perspective in the hope of achieving long lasting peace between the two main ethnic groups, the Hutus and the Tutsis. This is a three year project which although still in its beginning phase, has already had a major impact.
Our partners, African Enterprise organised two workshops for parents, teachers, church pastors and members of the Commission on Healing, Peace and Reconciliation. The first workshop discussed the objectives and the best way of implementing the project in Rwanda. The second workshop concentrated on identifying specific topics for education of school children, parents and teachers – all focusing on Bible based reconciliation principles.
|
An expert group from churches and the Commission on Reconciliation produced a manual on relevant topics such as peace building and reconciliation for the teachers and pastors who run the project.
The student’s book, “The Rwanda I Wish to Live In”, looks at the story of Adam and Eve and explains that division did not exist before the fall of man.
Part two of the book focuses on peace building and teaches lessons on asking forgiveness, citing the story of the prodigal son. Reconciling with the person who has wronged you is explained through the story of Joseph and Esau, and lastly how to forgive is taught with the story of Jesus dying on the cross.
The final part teaches that peace is worth fighting for. Dr Martin Luther’s ‘I have a dream’ speech is given as an example, along with Festo Kivengere’s ‘I love Idi Amin’ and a testimony by AEE Rwanda’s Antoine Rutayisire.
AEE Rwanda approached Bible Society Rwanda and negotiated for the purchase of the New Testament, ‘The Story of Joseph’, ‘Healing of The Heart’, ‘Jesus in Your Tears’ and ‘Healing of the Heart’s Wounds’. All books are in the Kinyarwanda language.
Twenty-nine schools in four districts have implemented the project with 34,000 students taking part. A recent visit to Rwanda by Bible Society NSW showed first hand how effective the project is in changing the way children see themselves and their country.
South Africa
Prisons Ministry
Bible Society NSW partners with Challenge Literature and Multi Ministries South Africa to provide Bibles to prisoners who have completed the first lessons in a discipleship course.
6,200 Bibles in 13 languages have been delivered to Multi Ministries to distribute to prisoners in 2007. Additional funding from Bible Society WA and a better than expected exchange rate has meant that we have been able to provide 9,000 more Bibles compared to the original 14,400 budgeted for.
Zambia
Youth New Testaments
This project sought to make 5,000 ‘Reach for Life’ New Testaments with study notes available to young people. This had a number of aims, firstly to bring about a deepening desire to live a morally upright life and to bring about Godly knowledge on matters affecting young people such as sex | |
