FASHIONISTAFEASTINGIT’S ALL DONE in the best possibletaste. Our girl on the cover ishandsomely clothed in an outfitdesigned by the London College ofFashion. This modern-day Eve is a justa small part of The Empty Hangerproject (pp. 7–9) which aims to makeScripture relevant to children in this

country who may never have seen aBible, let alone read one.

On the eve of the 400th birthday ofthe King James Bible, we will beencouraging a new look at the bookthrough Biblefresh (p. 6). We wanteveryone to rediscover the vital, thesurprising and the powerful livingbreath of God in Scripture. And, alongthe way to help fund translationprojects in Burkina Faso.

In 2011, we want to hear what you

have done to make the age-old wordsof Scripture come alive in yourneighbourhood (also p. 6). The mostcompelling story will appear in Wordin Action October 2011 and fivecopies of The Highlighted FreedomBible will go to your church orfellowship (see p. 14).

James Catford Group ChiefExecutive, Bible Society

The Bible – sharing it and living it Winter 2010www.biblesociety.org.uk

NEWS

VIEWPOINT

•Climb a mountain andhelp a community reachnew heights. HazelSoutham reports on aunique short-term missioninitiative

Akiller mountain has become part of thefight against a killer disease. Young

adults are called to consider climbingKilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak – and toview Bible Society’s vital work among peopleliving with HIV.

In 2011 adventurers have an opportunity tograpple not only with the 20,000-foot peak –which offers high-altitude challenges – butalso with the threat of AIDS and its disastrouseffects on African families.

Bible Society’s youth officer Jamie Hill andmultimedia officer Ed Powell climbedKilimanjaro – one of the tallest, free-standingvolcanoes – earlier this year. Beneath them layTanzania’s plains and in the distance, Kenya.

In the thin air, the view was literally breath-taking. ‘It was difficult to catch my breath,’Jamie recalled. ‘I was coughing up blood and Ifelt dizzy.’ But on the last push to the top, onekey concern kept them going – Cecilia.

Cecilia, 17, lives with HIV. But her life hasbeen turned around by Bible Society’s GoodSamaritan project. Through biblical texts itshows people they’re unique and loved inGod’s sight – and enables them tounderstand their condition and live positively.

‘Reaching the summit was a tremendous high,’added Jamie. ‘If it was only for her it would’vebeen worth it. But there’ll be thousands likeher who can be changed by this project – andby the power of the Scriptures.’

Now Jamie wants many more to experiencethe rush he felt meeting Cecilia and climbingKilimanjaro. So next year young people agedover 18 are being encouraged to make thetrek with him.

But it really all starts with Cecilia’s story.Today, she’s training to be a seamstress. She’sexcited about the future and hoping to earnenough to build a home for herself and hertwo younger brothers – Fabian, 13, and six-year-old Deosdet.

But life hasn’t always been like this. Cecilia grewup in the rural village of Nala, northernTanzania. Her parents and grandparents weresubsistence farmers – their house surrounded bymaize fields and chickens scratching for food.

At nine, Cecilia was seriously ill with measles.Her parents both gave blood to save her life.But that donation could ultimately cost herlife, as Cecilia’s parents were unwittinglyliving with HIV.

When she was diagnosed HIV positive at 12,Cecilia’s grandparents shunned her, forcingher to live in a dimly lit storeroom alone forthree years. ‘We thought through eating andsharing a room with her we’d be infected,’said her grandfather, 73-year-old YohaneMwangatua Ndahane.

Then two years’ ago, the family’s lives werechanged by the Good Samaritan project.

Cecilia heard for the first time God loved her– and she was taught how to live with HIV.

‘I used to pray someone would come and talkto my people and help them understand me,’she said. ‘Now I’m happy the family are allunited. It helps me forget about my parents’death and my own status.’

To date, some 18,000 people in Tanzaniahave experienced this transformationaltraining over the last three years. But evenmore can be reached.

‘My dream is we’ll be able to double thenumber of Good Samaritan projects in thenext few years,’ said Jamie, ‘and that the tideof HIV in Tanzania could be turned by thepower of the Bible.’

People can get involved in three ways. If you’reover 18, you can join the climb in 2011. You’llhave the experience of scaling Kilimanjaro –then the chance to work with Bible Society’slocal teams with people just like Cecilia.

‘What excites me is seeing the difference theBible makes,’ Jamie explained. ‘The diagnosisof HIV must be Good Friday for people likeCecilia – but the revelation of the God ofScripture is Easter Sunday for them.’

Don’t fancy a major climb, but still want toget involved? Choose from a selection of fund-raising ideas. Or join The Rush: Live it Give itsocial networking pages on Facebook andTwitter. For more details visit:biblesociety.org.uk/rushliveitgiveit

•Hazel Southam is Bible Society’s Editor-in-Chief

KILLER PEAK COMBATS AIDS

BIBLESOCIETY

WORD INACTION

WORLD NEWS

AMAICA. A new Gospel of Luke inJamaican Patois has been described as ‘aquantum leap’ for the language. Andyoung people in Hackney, East London, areamong the hundreds who’ve alreadydownloaded it.

In just a month, nearly 250 peopledownloaded the MP3 files from BibleSociety’s website. The new translation waslaunched in the UK by the Bible Society ofthe West Indies at Christian Life CityChurch, Hackney, in May.

‘I love it,’ said Tanesha Westcarr, 23. ‘It'ssomething that positively representsJamaican people.’

Forty-eight-year-old nurse Elsa Palmer said, ‘It was uplifting to hear the Word of God in Patois. Your language is you. Ispeak Patois to my children so they’ll know where they come from and embracemy culture.’

Some purists say Patois – spoken by fivemillion around the world – is bad or brokenEnglish and the translation distorts anddilutes the message. But General Secretary

of the Bible Society of the West IndiesCourtney Stewart said it communicatesGod’s Word at a deeper level.

‘It’s a quantum leap for our language,which goes far beyond Bible translation,’he added. ‘It has implications for Jamaicanculture, our educational system, linguisticsand tourism.’

It’s planned to have the whole NewTestament in Patois by August 2012, aspart of the celebrations for Jamaica’s 50thyear of independence.

JAMAICA TAKES‘QUANTUM LEAP’

2Photo: Bible Society Clare Kendall

Elsa Palmer, 48, was overjoyed to hear the Jamaican Patios version of St Luke’s Gospel, launched at a Pentecostservice in Hackney.

PANAMA. Literacy courses have met with an‘overwhelming response’ as some ofPanama’s indigenous people get to grips withGod’s Word.

Bible Society of Panama have developed theprogramme to help the Ngobe peopleengage with Scripture – and ultimatelyimprove many other aspects of their lives.

Church and community leaders trained as literacy teachers and classes were set up in four locations. The response hasreportedly been ‘overwhelming’ – with all

ages getting involved.

The Ngobe New Testament was launched 30years ago. The Ngobe are very receptive tothe message, but mostly are unable to readit. School attendance remains a distantdream for most. The literacy programmetackles that.

A problem remained for some – an eyesightcheck revealed the source. Glasses weredonated and now many more enthusiasticlearners are well on their way to reading theBible for themselves.

TURKISH TVBACKS ‘SECRETBIBLE’TURKEY. A top-secret translation project hassuddenly scooped support from Turkish statetelevision. The Kurmanji Bible translation,known only as project ‘K’ since its birth in1994, has now made TV headlines.

For decades Kurmanji – spoken by 80 percent of Turkey’s 15 million Kurds – wasbanned in the media and schools.

So the last thing the Bible Society in Turkeyexpected was for state television to celebrateits arrival as a cultural milestone. GeneralSecretary Tamar Karasu thought it was amistake when she took the call from TRT6, anew Kurdish language channel launched in arelaxation of restrictions.

‘But the producer confirmed he was very muchaware this was the Gospel,’ said Tamar. ‘He saidthis was a great work the Bible Society haddone!’ Now an audio version has been launchedas most Kurds cannot read the language. ‘Andthat’s even more exciting,’ added Tamar.

The newly published Kurmanji (Kurdish) audio NewTestament sold well at the Diyarbakir Book Fair earlierthis year. Most Kurds cannot read and many havenever encountered the Bible at all.

Photo: Bible Society in Turkey

HOME NEWS 3Photo: Bible Society Rupert Lloyd-Parry

Photo: Bible Society

BLIND WELSH SPEAKERS now have Scripturein their hands – and it’s written in their ‘heartlanguage’.

For the Welsh New Testament and Psalms havebeen published in Braille. Their recent launchmarked the end of a long campaign to get theBible into an easily used format.

Bible Society’s donation of £5,000 and thehelp of many other individuals andorganisations – including Cytun and RNIB –got the project off the ground.

It means people like Rhian Evans – blind sinceher early 20s – can finally read the Scriptures intheir own culture and context. ‘My dream hascome true,’ she said. ‘The Bible should beavailable for all to read.’

Dr Watcyn James, Bible Society’s WelshDevelopment Officer, said, ‘Of all the languagesof the world, only 40 or so have the Bible inBraille. Now blind Welsh-speaking people canread Scripture, in their heart language.’

LOCATION, LOCATION

BIBLE BECOMES A CAFÉ PERKWELSH WELCOMEBRAILLE BIBLE

SHOOTING a vital scene for his filmDerelict is Simon Lumgair, winner of BibleSociety’s 2009 Enter the Pitch competition.The finished film will be entered in UK filmfestivals.

‘Finding a competition that values theBible and the importance of story within itis fantastic,’ he said. His £20,000 firstprize helped create his portrayal of the

runaway slave in the New Testament bookof Philemon.

Simon Lumgair will meet Director RalphWinter in Hollywood later this year.

Churches interested in getting moreinvolved with connecting Scripture and filmin a contemporary way can contact us on01793 418222.

Among the 2010 judges are actor David

Suchet, Wallace and Gromit animator Nick

Park and Empire’s Editor-at-Large Nev

Pierce. Visit enterthepitch.com where the

entries can be viewed between 1–21

November. The winner will be chosen in

January 2011. Over 18s can also enter for

the 2011 competition.

CAFÉ-CULTURE phenomenon lyfe is back onthe boil. Bible Society’s unique Bibleencounter is to be relaunched this September.

Over the past year Bible Society has workedwith spiritual formation movement Renovaré togive lyfe a more intentional focus on becominga disciple of Jesus. And the café cultureremains an integral aspect. See alsopage 14.

There are six challenge zoneswhich have helped peoplelive deeper spiritual lives.Participants choose theirown challenge,exploring what itmeans to live as afollower of Christ today.

Also offered on lyfe’snew website are videointerviews, a host ofarticles and further resourceslinked to discipleship that havebeen tried and tested over the

centuries. The aim is to connect God, us andeveryday life.

‘It’s been a privilege to draw on the wisdomand work of Renovaré,’ said lyfe and SpiritualFormation Development Officer Rob Hare.‘We look forward to enabling lyfe groups to

explore and recreate spiritualchallenges for

themselves leadingto a sustainablespirituality anda deeper lifewith God.’

SUPPORTER NEWS 4

HAPPYBIRTHDAY,KING JAMES

A Fulani woman in Burkina Faso. Biblefresh will raise fundsto support translation work here.

A FILM SCREENING and debate, achildren’s art exhibition and a church visitto the Holy Land are just some of the wayscongregations are planning to celebratethe Scriptures next year.

That’s because they’re gearing up for

biblefresh – which coincides with the 400thanniversary of the King James Bible. Thisinitiative aims to reignite people’s passionfor Scripture by making ancient text comealive again.

Churches and individuals are encouragedto not only get back to the Bible, but alsoraise funds for a new Scripture translationfor Burkina Faso, one of the poorestnations in Africa.

Through all this, biblefresh aims to inspirepeople to share the Scriptures with othersin ways they’ve never considered before – through a Bible experience.

Network Manager Rob Cotton saidchurches are alive with ideas – and many

thepowerof one

How God speaks to oneman through his radio …

If you would like more copies of the 2010Christmas stickers please call 01793 418222.

01793 418222

contactus@biblesociety.org.uk

biblesociety.org.uk

This Arabic-speaking northern camel riderin Burkina Faso reads Scripture. Manyothers here still long for a single verse ofScripture in their own language.

Photo: United Bible Society Maurice Hervey

It’s become his ‘daily spiritual food’.Lambert Gboizo is a faithful listener toBible Society’s Bible on the Airwavesprogramme, at Daloa, West-CentralCôte d’Ivoire.

At 6.30am Lambert switches on hisradio. As he does every day, the oldman tunes in to 107 FM, Radio Tchrato.‘Good morning to all our listeners,’ saysthe presenter, ‘and welcome to yourfavourite programme, La Bible sur lesondes.’ (Bible on the Airwaves).

Nothing can drag him away from it. ‘Youcould say I’m a big fan of thisprogramme,’ he said. ‘When I miss it, Ifeel something precious is missing in myday – it’s not the same. These readingsand commentaries of the biblical texthave a profound effect on me.’

•Macaire Gbikpi, Bible Society of Togo

are finding the arts a useful medium. Robsuggested churches could join forces andperhaps book a group of Christianprofessionals.

‘It’s all about allowing God and the storiesin Scripture to speak for themselves,’ heexplained, ‘letting people hear the Biblerather than feeling “preached at”.’

People can whet their appetite with theWord In Action cover story Empty Hangerand the ongoing Enter The Pitch film-making competition. Readers are alsoinvited to share their church’s Bibleexperience before June 2011 and Word InAction will print the best example inOctober 2011.

Just send us a report (500 wordsmaximum) and some good, high-resolution(non-returnable) photos to illustrate it. Themost inspiring Bible experience project willwin five copies of the new HighlightedFreedom Bible (see page 14) for its church.For more information, visit: biblefresh.com

•Seren Boyd is a freelance writer andtranslator

Photo: United Bible Society

Geoffrey Stam

p

5

What did Eve wear? Whatwere Joseph’s dreams?Schools will be asking thosequestions – and many more.

Hazel Southam goes toclass …

Who doyou thinkyou are?

If Bible stories are a ‘soap opera’ for alleternity, what do the stars look like? Andwhat makes them tick?

Those questions are being tackled by ascheme to bring the Scriptures alive insecondary schools. A collaborationbetween London College of Fashion andBible Society, Empty Hanger is thebrainchild of Chris Blockley, chaplainof Bishops’ College School,Gloucester.

He planned to tell all 188stories from the Gospelsthrough different mediain lessons at thesecondary school. Sohe started with Jesus’family tree as told in

Luke 1 – and asked theLondon College of Fashion to help.

Students designed five outfitsrepresenting the lives of five peoplein the family tree – Eve, Jacob,Rahab, Joseph and Jesus himself.The outfits are intended for a rangeof lessons including art and design,PSHE (Personal Social and HealthEducation) and design technology,

Joanna Jepson, Chaplain at the LondonCollege of Fashion starts to piece togetherEve’s outfit, which she wears over a leotard.This is one of five outfits created for theEmpty Hanger project.

FEATURE – ENGLAND AND WALES

as well as RE.

Following a launch at the Christian ResourcesExhibition, the aim is for the scheme to gonationwide. ‘Society is going more towardsabstract values,’ said London College ofFashion’s chaplain Revd Joanna Jepson. ‘Thisgets people back to faith and stories.Children will connect to it.’

When Joanna and her team of five willingundergraduates took the designs to Bishops’

College in January, students were ‘lit up’ byit. ‘The children responded really well,’ sheadded. ‘They wanted to try on the costumes.

‘The thing they kept saying was, “Why haveyou come here?” We were bringing Christ’smessage of chosenness. God doesn’t overlook

the broken and the poor, those who arestruggling. I hope as Empty Hanger goesaround the country, children will enjoy it andthat it fires their imagination.

‘The stories convey profound struggles ofheroes and anti-heroes which will connect

FEATURE – ENGLAND AND WALES 6

This gets people back to faith and stories

Model Anna Delaney enjoys being stitched into her simple dress. To keep the leaves fresh it is recreated each time it is worn. The project should appeal to a variety of Key Stage studies.

SUPPORTLocal churches can sponsor the schemefor their nearest secondary school fordetails contact us on 01793 418222

PRAY WITH USPray see Prayer Bulletin page 14

EVENTSIf you would like to become a trainer forthe Empty Hanger project call BibleSociety’s contact centre team on 01793418100 or emailcontactus@biblesociety.org.uk

Visit Christian Resources Exhibition inTelford and see the project launched.For tickets, go to: creonline.co.uk

Act!

with them. They will realise God can use themand be writing a story with their lives. That’sthe message.’

As if to symbolise this, the package forschools includes an empty hanger. Studentswill be challenged to design an outfitsymbolising them and their part in Jesus’family tree. In Christian schools this can bean overt message. At other times it will beoblique, but she hopes it will still connect theschoolchildren with Jesus.

‘It’s a really exciting project,’ said BibleSociety’s Culture Programme Manager LukeWalton, ‘as it touches on areas important foryoung people, such as, “Do I tell people whoI am?” My daughters are worried about whatthey put on in the morning because it sayswho they are. It’s a worry.’

The project will help young people considerenvironmental sustainability, deceit, self-deception, fame, ambition and being anoutsider. But Luke said it will also bring theBible alive for a generation that largelydoesn’t read it.

‘We’re doing this because it’s part of a whole stream of activities that bring thecontemporary nature of this ancient material alive today,’ he said. ‘The stories inthe Bible are like the soap opera for alleternity. They tell us about ourselves – andwe can learn about how to live life todaythrough them.’

He was keen to explain why Bible Society is involved in encouraging Britain’s teenagers to design an outfit this term.‘We’re about translating the Bible intodifferent cultures’ languages,’ he said. ‘Andwe need a translation that resonates for ourgeneration just as much as any culture in the world.

‘We have a mission to tell this book in alanguage people will happily receive.’ Thescheme will be launched at CRE in Telford(21–23 October) and a local school will takepart in the big celebrations.

After that, any school can choose toincorporate Empty Hanger into its teachingschedule. And there are many ways to dothis. Schools can opt to buy a video withlesson plans and details of the fashiondesigns.

They can choose to get students to designtheir own outfit to fill an empty hanger. Anddesign technology classes can opt to designa clothes rack that symbolises the wholecommunity, or school.

There’s an option to invite Joanna Jepson tovisit school with the costumes for aninteractive event. That includes seeing thegauze outfit designed for Eve, which studentscan re-design themselves.

Describing the scheme as ‘breathtaking’,Luke Walton said it would ‘captivate theimagination of young people’. The ‘soapopera’ of Scripture will be told. And if Luke

and Joanna’s dreams come true, EmptyHanger will take Britain’s schoolchildrendeeper into the drama of the Bible.

•Hazel Southam is Bible Society’s Editor-in-Chief

DESIGNEmpty Hanger was the brainchild of thechaplain to Bishops’ College, Gloucester

London College of Fashion studentshave designed five outfits to show thecharacters of members of Jesus’ familytree: Eve, Jacob, Rahab, Joseph andJesus himself

DEVELOPMENTThe project will be launched at CRE,Telford (21–23 October)

Any secondary school in the countrycan get involved and see the schemerun in its classes

Fact

Luke Walton, Bible Society’s Culture Programme Manager says the project will bring Scripture alive for ageneration that largely doesn’t read it.

7

We need atranslationthat resonatesfor our

generation

FEATURE – ENGLAND AND WALES

She helped to distribute Bibles to quakesurvivors in May. ‘People had walked for milesin the early dawn to attend the 6 a.m. service – many carrying their ownchairs,’ she explained.

‘When the announcement was made thatBibles were to be given to those who’d losttheir copies during the earthquake, at least1,000 people lined up to receive one. I sawmany kissing the new Bibles. It was verymoving.’

Bible Society also responded to theearthquake in Chile, giving £32,000. As inHaiti, this money is spent on holistic care.Many survivors live in a temporaryresettlement area, Camp Peralillo. It’s nowhome to 8,000.

Known locally as Messengers in Action, BibleSociety volunteers recently visited the residentsof the camp – giving families sets of cutlery,electrical appliances and biblical literature.

And in China, a team from the AmityFoundation – with whom Bible Society works– was quickly on the scene after thedevastating quake. Their job was to assesswhat people needed.

David Smith believes the Bible is crucial inhelping people’s long-term recovery from anatural disaster – such as the earthquakesthat hit China, Haiti and Chile.

‘In the difficult times of life material needscan be met – but you can still remain abroken person without hope,’ he said. ‘Webelieve the Bible brings hope.

‘So when the disaster response teams havepacked up and left, the people remain.They’re still traumatised. They still needpeace, hope and wholeness. We believe theGod of the Bible can provide this.’

Bible Society will continue to support peoplehit by natural disasters in the 145 countrieswhere it works – long after the crises have leftthe headlines. ‘The Bible is the story ofpeople dealing with real trying, traumaticcircumstances,’ said David, ‘and comingthrough the other side with hope.’

•Hazel Southam is Bible Society’s Editor-in-Chief

FEATURE – HAITI, CHINA, CHILE 8

In Haiti, China andChile, Bible Societybrings holistic care tobroken lives. HazelSoutham shows howScripture helps thosewho suffer

When disaster strikes, words of hope breakthrough the horror. That’s because as

Bible Society responds to a disaster, they offerScripture as well as supplies. And peoplequeue up for them.

Haiti, China and Chile have all recentlyexperienced earthquakes that have killedthousands and left communities reeling. AndBible Society has been on the frontline tryingto bring hope and healing to the suffering.

Haiti’s earthquake in January is thought tohave killed some 230,000 and injured300,000 more. Nearly a year on, thousandsstill live on the streets, their homes in ruins.

Two million people were affected when anearthquake reaching 8.8 on the Richter scalehit Chile in February.

In April, 2,000 were killed and more than12,000 injured in an earthquake in China’sremote Qinghai province. It left thousandshomeless during snow, hail and sandstorms.

While aid agencies are vital in bringing food,water, shelter and medical assistance, BibleSociety also has a crucial role. How is itresponding to natural disasters? And whyshould it get involved in an area traditionallyseen as the domain of relief agencies?

‘We’re already in these places,’ said BibleSociety’s David Smith. ‘We’re working in 145countries in total. People need materialprovision. They need shelter, medicine andfood. Bible Societies can gear up and providefor the physical needs of people around them.

‘We don’t immediately distribute Bibles. Whenwe do provide them, we do so alongside waterand food and material for shelter. It’s a holisticservice to people.’

So this year Bible Society has given £32,000to its sister organisation in Haiti as part of alarger gift from the worldwide Bible Societyfellowship. That’s brought water to 50,000people. Some 200,000 have received theGospel portion God Is My Shelter, and50,000 received Bibles in Creole.

‘My people don’t have anything,’ said Haiti Bible Society’s Programme Co-ordinatorMarie Carme Derivois, ‘and when you don’thave anything, only God’s Word can bringyou comfort.’

Hope breaks through thehorror

When you don’t have

anything, onlyGod’s Word canbring comfort

Not too far away from Bible Society's shattered building, staff gave Bibles to a 1,000 worshippers in theirroofless church.

FEATURE – ENGLAND AND WALES 9

Leading actors takepart in a uniqueproject promotingencounters withScripture andengagement with thepoor. Lindsay Shawexplains …

Acreative and compassionate recordingof the New Testament has brought

together the largest cast Riding Lights hasever assembled. The aim is to offer freshopportunities to encounter the Bible andhelp the poor.

The well-known and long-establishedChristian theatre company – along with some30 stage and TV actors – have lent theirtalents to Bible Society’s unique projectYou’ve Got the Time (YGTT).

It’s so-named because research shows howdifficult many people find it to slot the Bibleinto the rhythms of everyday life. ‘It’s aboutbringing that back,’ said Bible Society Headof Community Fundraising Andy Bissex,‘about renewing our relationship with God inthe midst of life.’

Inspired by that experience, listeners will beinvited to help impoverished communities in

Africa hear the New Testament. YGTT alsorecognises many of us struggle to read theBible in isolation. So the programme has beendevised for churches to listen to together. Therecording conveys a sense of the early churchsharing its experience of Jesus.

‘The key was, let’s be bolder about the materialand put it in the voices of the charactersinvolved,’ said Riding Lights co-founder PaulBurbridge, who directed the actors.

‘So sometimes we’re listening to someonereceiving an epistle rather than writing it – ora church leader reading it to theircongregation. In Acts 4, when Peter’s upbefore the religious council charged withcausing a disturbance, you hear all theirvoices and it really works.

‘You get a sense of the community of the time.’

Bible Society’s Church Programme ManagerMichael Pfundner leads the project with AndyBissex. He explained that from 1996 to 2005,thousands of churchgoers listened to FaithComes by Hearing recordings of the NewTestament – usually over Lent. Last year, anumber of ‘pilot’ churches ran the programmeagain, this time using MP3 players.

‘It gave a resounding “yes” to renewing theproject and a big tick to using MP3recordings which can go with you whereveryou are,’ said Michael. ‘But the feedback alsohighlighted the need for a more vibrantrecording – which is why we’re so excitedabout working with Riding Lights.’

The actors share that excitement. RussellBoulter, probably best known as DI Boulton

from ITV’s The Bill, played Luke, the writer ofLuke’s Gospel and the Book of Acts. ‘It was athrilling thing to do,’ said Russell.

‘When we were voicing it together, you couldfeel the excitement banging off the walls. Ithink what we’ve produced is something thatmakes you hear the Bible. When you hear it,something powerful happens.’

Michael and Andy are hoping as many churchesas possible will experience this for themselves.They believe some will start immediately, otherswill make it a Lenten project.

‘You’ve Got the Time is something everyone inchurches can do,’ said Andy, ‘even the activistwho can’t sit still. All it takes is around 28minutes a day.’

The benefits don’t stop there. Bible Society isinviting every church and individual whotakes part to give communities in Africa thechance to listen to the New Testament, too.

‘As your church is blessed with Scripture,’ saidAndy, ‘you can bless another.’ Each churchcan take an offering as they start the process.That money will provide Africans withProclaimers – audio players which largegroups can listen to.

Bible Society hopes to grow its 5,000 listeninggroups there – averaging 35 members – to8,000. That means reaching those for whomthe Proclaimer is too expensive, and enablingover a quarter of a million people to bediscipled by the audio New Testament.

‘You’ve Got the Time is a community projecton every level,’ Andy explained. ‘From NewTestament church to your church, and fromyour church to the church in Tanzania. It’ssomething that can revitalise ourdiscipleship, stewardship, awareness ofmission, and church life.’

•Lindsay Shaw is Bible Society’s CreativeResources Officer

Make timefor truth

Time and a place

You’ve Got the Time comes as a FREEdownload to computers, MP3 players, ora church ‘champion’ can make CD copies.Special dedicated MP3 players are alsoavailable for a donation instead, to helpcover the cost of the MP3 player. YGTT isfor the whole church, so a church packcontains daily listening plans, a DVD-ROM, short promotional film, sermons foreach week and small group notes to takecongregations through the programmetogether.

Israel Oyelumadereads the part of Jesusin the Gospel of Luke.

Photo: Bible Society Michael Cook

RESOURCES 10

‘The Bible is God’s manifesto forfreedom,’ writes the Revd JamesJones, Bishop of Liverpool,about the new HighlightedFreedom Bible. ‘We struggle tobe liberated from all thatdepresses and oppresses thehuman spirit. Here in thesepages we find the secret thatsets us free.’

And that secret is highlightedfor all to see throughout thenew Freedom Bible, justpublished by Bible Society. It takes ahighlighter pen to more than 3,500 versesthat spell out our freedom in Christ.

The Highlighted Freedom Bible features

theological reflections andpowerful testimonies, includingthose of ex-prisoner JonathanAitken and former alcoholicGram Seed.

Down-to-earth accounts includea young mum, trying to placatea howling baby: ‘I spend manynights praying desperately formy newborn to miraculously fall asleep: “Lord, please stopthis baby crying – I’m stressed,angry and exhausted and

tomorrow is going to be a disaster if I don’tget some rest.”

Jo Swinney shows how the Scriptures helpedher find freedom even under that everyday

stress. ‘From being immobilised with over-

whelming anxiety, I have seen a way to move

forward.’

The Highlighted Freedom Bible challenges

misconceptions about Christianity being

restrictive and aims to help people enjoy the

freedom Christ has won for them: ‘Christ has

set us free! This means we are really free.

Now hold on to your freedom.’ Galatians 5.1

The Highlighted Freedom Bible, in the easy to

read CEV translation, is available from Bible

Society Resources at a special introductory

price of £9.99 (plus p&p of £1.95). Visit

bibleresources.org.uk or freephone

0800 652 5369.

Make sure your cards tellthe real Christmas storythis year by using the freeChristmas stickers, enclosedin Word in Action.

‘This is the fourth yearwe’ve produced the stickersand demand keepsincreasing! We’re printingsix million this year andhope they will intriguepeople enough to visitchristmasunwrapped.org.ukto discover for themselvesthe real meaning of Christmas.’ said NaomiBuckler, Bible Society’s Fundraising Officer.

‘So make sure you use the stickers,’ shecontinued, ‘and give your friends a chance tounwrap the amazing message of Christmas –

whatever design is onRoyal Mail’s stamps!’

Lovingly created by Danishartist Hanefelt Kristensenthe intricate designs areviewable in more detailand animation atchristmasunwrapped.org.uk

For more stickers visit the website above orcontact Bible Society on 01793 418222.

Unwrapping Christmas

Freedom manifesto published

For anyone asking ‘What will help me growspiritually?’ Life Streams offers a freshperspective on Christian faith and practiceand provides practical ways to transform yourlife and community from the inside out.

Adapted from Renovaré’s best-selling ASpiritual Formation Workbook, the LifeStreams workbook features guidelines forstarting and maintaining a SpiritualFormation Group, study plans for the firstnine sessions and a questionnaire that helps map the way ahead. And it’s specially

edited for small groups.

Featuring introductions from Richard J Foster,Renovaré and James Catford, Group ChiefExecutive Bible Society, this workbook is anideal introduction into spiritual formationand growth. It introduces six aspects of theChristian life (Prayer, Bible, Social Action, etc)and offers practical exercises for you to use inconjunction with your lyfe group – lyfe.org.uk.

Cost £6.99 (plus the cost of p&p) visitbibleresources.org.uk or freephone 0800 652 5369.

Getting Stream-lined

Bible Society’s Christmas Stickersare unveiled – make a differenceusing them this Christmas

Photo: Bible Society Hanefelt K

ristensen

Photo: Bible Society

LAST WORD 11

Personal best ‘I take my standards from the Bible. It states clearly what yourstandards should be on any subject that you want to pick. Ifyou look in the Bible for what Jesus says about it, it will bethere.’

– Gavin Peacock, former TV football pundit (Rejesus)

Newsman Richard Franklinknew he wanted more – butwhat? With 20 years experienceas a broadcast journalist behindhim, he’d become a householdname in the South Midlands forhis skilful TV news reporting forITV.

Then Richard spotted an ad forPress Officer at Bible Society. Itwas an answer to prayer.Richard now feels he’s found hiscalling as a member of theseven-strong Communicationsteam.

‘I wanted to use my journalisticskills to promote andcommunicate Scripture. So I getreally excited by the challengeswe face in getting the mediatalking about the Bible andmaking the Bible heard intoday’s culture,’ enthusedRichard.

Passion rings through his voiceas he talks about theopportunity.

Richard continued, ‘I wasalready aware of the work inthis country. But, what hassurprised and challenged me isthe work overseas. Meeting

people on different continents,all overjoyed to have their ownBible, has made me re-evaluatemy attitude to my own Bible.They may have waited years fora Bible or Scripture in their ownlanguage. I have several Bibles,but never really understood howvery blessed I am to be able tochoose which one to readtoday.’

Now Richard plays a key role inthe Communications teamwriting and helping makevideos to tell joy-filled storiesfrom around the world.

Bible people

Give peace achanceBe still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!Psalm 46.10 ESV

Reading this psalm reveals a time surprisingly like ours. The world isgiving way (environmental disaster), mountains tumble into the sea(earthquakes and tsunamis), nations are in uproar (wars, energycrisis) and kingdoms fall (regime change, credit crunch, civil strife).

Then God goes to work. He makes wars cease, he shatters weapons

and burns the tools of war. Next comes his presenttense command – ‘Be still’. Often when I hear thisquoted, someone seems to be saying, ‘Calm down,trust, be more spiritual.’ But this is different. God isat work restoring the stillness.

Earlier in the psalm, God lifted his voice and theearth melted. Now God speaks to us and our innerturmoil can melt away. As I live on this earth inbetween ‘the now’ of environmental and politicalcollapse and ‘the then’ of God's redemption of theearth and healing of the nations, I hear his voice

telling me to do two things – ‘Be still and know I am God.’

I don't see peace on the earth yet. But I can – and do – choose tobe still now, and to move into a personal encounter with God and adeeper knowledge of his presence and protection.

• Russell Boulter is perhaps best known as DI Boulton in ITV'sThe Bill and recently narrated BBC4’s A Century of Fatherhood.

1 verse

Making headlinesquotes

RIchard Franklin

Russell Boulter

Photo: Nina Subin

Illustration: Istockphotos

Guidingforce‘The one book that has had thestrongest influence on my life, without question, is theBible. God's Word has beenthe guiding force behind all I do.’

– Debbie Macomber, NewYork Times bestselling author(Barnes and Noble website)

Photo: Russell Boulter