The availability of Scripture in Berber is a big part of the incredible revival taking place in Algeria. This month your support will help the Bible Society in Algeria keep up with the demand for Bibles.
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Church in Algeria under threat
Since this newsletter was put together we've had a prayer request from Ali Khidri, Executive Secretary of the Bible Society in Algeria: "Our freedom of worship is facing a grave threat and there is a clear violation of fundamental freedoms. We need your prayer more than ever."
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The mountainous region of Kabylie. |
Algeria is the largest country in Africa, lying between Morocco and Tunisia on the northern coast of the continent. It has a population of approximately 40 million people, most of whom live in the north along the Mediterranean coast. Four fifths of the land is covered by the Sahara desert.
Algeria was originally inhabited by Berbers until North Africa was conquered by Arabs in the 7th century. Based mainly in the mountainous regions of Kabylie, the Berbers resisted the spread of Arab influence, attempting to preserve their own culture and language. Now only a minority of the population actually identify themselves as Berber. Just twenty years ago the Berber language wasn't allowed to be spoken in Algeria, but now it is recognised as a national language and the availability of Scripture in this language has had a significant impact.
Algeria is 99% Muslim. But a revival is taking place, mostly amongst the Berbers of Kabylie. Many thousands have turned to Christ, often after hearing the Gospel message on Christian TV channels or radios, and then reading a bible or Gospel from the Bible Society.
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Djouher and her Bible. |
It is difficult to get a Bible in Algeria. The Bible Society is the only religious bookshop in the country so all churches rely on it for equipping their members with the Word of God. The Church is growing and the Bible Society is keen to be able to keep up with the demand for Bibles.
One church leader in Kabylie shared,
"If the Bible was expensive, nobody could afford to buy it in Algeria. And I believe it is crucial to have the Bible. I myself became a Christian after a cousin gave me a New Testament back in 2007. In it I found what I had never found elsewhere: love, compassion... For me, John 3:16 is the key, all God's love is in it. Please keep selling us Scriptures we can afford. We do our best to help people in our church by organising humanitarian help of all kinds, for meals, for clothes, even to pay for surgery at the hospital. But we have very limited means."
The Bible Society in Algeria has set up this 'Bibles for the Berbers' project to make sure that, with the help of Bible Societies from around the world, they can keep providing Bibles to the people in Algeria.
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Said with his Berber New Testament. |
Said is 73 years old. When a friend invited him along to a church service his life was changed by what he heard. Just over ten years ago Said became a Christian...
"People around me kept saying Christianity is for Europeans only, but I still went. And when I arrived, I saw they were all Berbers like me! And it touched me. Then I was touched by their joy. And then I heard the Gospel and it touched me! I understood that Christ died for me on the cross, for my sins. A rose, when it is crushed, gives a lovely perfume. And Jesus when he was crushed gave the beautiful perfume of life.
"I am amazed when I read the Bible how different its values and stories are from the Qumran. My favourite story is probably Joseph's. His love and his patience are incredible. He was really badly treated but he chose to forgive his brothers. He is an example for us as Christians, just like Christ on the cross. I am convinced that as Christians we must be an example that way: to forgive and wish the good for others, not evil. This is such a huge difference compared to Islam! We shouldn't take the sword, but the Word of God (Ephesians 6)."
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Pray
Please pray for this work...
- Pray that the Berber people will be transformed by the Scripture. Pray that they would understand what they read and that many more will come to the Lord.
- Pray for the Bible Society staff working in Algeria. It can be a difficult place to work so ask God for his protection and guidance.
- Pray for the church throughout Algeria. Pray for continued revival and a determination to shine brightly in a dark world.
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Church in Algeria under threat
Since this newsletter was put together we've had a prayer request from Ali Khidri, Executive Secretary of the Bible Society in Algeria: "Our freedom of worship is facing a grave threat and there is a clear violation of fundamental freedoms. We need your prayer more than ever."
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What will your £5 do?
This month your gift of £5 will give someone in Algeria the Bible that they've longed for.
Thank you for your contribution as a Bible-a-month partner. If you would like to make an additional donation to this project you can do so online or by text.
We really appreciate the regular donations given through Bible-a-month. A simple way to give regularly is by setting up a direct debit. If you would be interested in finding out more about this then please get in touch with us using the contact details below.
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Bible-a-month Extra
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Bible Society NI | 27 Howard Street, Belfast, BT1 6NB | 028 9032 6577 info@biblesocietyni.co.uk | www.bsni.co.uk
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