Extra Insight

Dear Prayer Partner,

Welcome to the October Extra Insight!

We pray that these stories will be an encouragement to you this month.

In our October Extra Insight we have an update on our Bible-a-Month project with the Arab Israeli Bible Society, an update from the Gulf and the global translation statistics.

Thank you for joining us as we pray for our brothers and sisters around the world.

LOCAL NEWS

Northern Ireland

October is a significant month within Bible Society ministry as we look forward to celebrating Bible Sunday! This year, Bible Sunday will take place on Sunday 24^th October. Could your church join in with us and many others around the UK and Ireland in giving thanks for the gift of God’s Word as part of your worship service?

Click here to download your free pack!

The arrival of autumn has brought with it many exciting opportunities for the team at Bible Society NI. Alongside our Board Meeting on Monday 11^th October, this month Catherine and Andrew are looking forward to sharing in-person at Sunday services in:

Sallaghy Church of Ireland, Lisnaskea (3^rd October),
Dervock Presbyterian Church in Ireland (3^rd October)
Woodvale Presbyterian Church in Ireland (10^thOctober)
Drumully Church of Ireland, Clones (10^th October)
Galloon Church of Ireland, Newtownbutler (17^thOctober)
1^st Omagh Presbyterian Church in Ireland (24^thOctober)
Mullavilly Church of Ireland, Tandragee (31^st October)

On Saturday 9^th October, Catherine will be attending the World Day of Prayer Preparation Event in the Agape Centre, Lisburn Road, Belfast, to share about how we will be involved in this exciting event in 2022 and beyond.

Please save the date for our 2021 Annual Supporters Event - The Gathering - on Friday 12th November. This will be a hybrid event with some space for people to attend in person (in the Agape Centre, Lisburn Road, Belfast) and an online event to watch as well.

Watch out for more information in the November Extra Insight and through our social media @biblesocietyni.

Prayer Requests from Bible Society NI:

Praise God that we are able to get out and speak about our work in so many places. Pray for safety as we do this, that we would remain in good health.

Pray for the staff as we head into a busy autumn/winter season. Pray that God would sustain us and give us the strength to carry out our jobs.

Pray for our staff and board as we plan for 2022, pray that our projects would help people to engage with the Bible and deepen their faith.

Join Us to Pray

We meet to pray each month on the last Wednesday of the month at 1pm.

Please join us this month at 1pm on the 27th October via Zoom.

Click here to joining the Zoom on the 27th.

Meeting ID: 840 2124 8962

Passcode: 428225

BIBLE-A-MONTH PROJECT:

Core Presence - Israel

There are many places in the world where it is difficult to be a Christian. Living in a Muslim-majority country, many Christians in Israel face opposition every day, and it is hard for those seeking to explore Christianity to find answers. The Arab Israeli Bible Society describes their Christian community as a “double minority”, as they live among a Muslim majority, within the state of Israel, which in turn has a Jewish majority.

The Arab Israeli Bible Society works closely with the local church to provide Arabic Scriptures and resources to the 1.7 million citizens of Israel. Making the Bible available to the Arab community is a large part of what the Bible Society here does. Scripture is often hard to find, having to be imported which can be very expensive. The Bible Society ensures that Scripture is accessible and affordable, providing free or subsidised Scripture.

The main headquarters for the Arab Israeli Bible Society is in Nazareth, a building used to host meetings and activities, store resources and provide a safe environment for engaging with the Bible. They aim to provide culturally relevant tools to the Arab Christians in Israel, helping them to engage with their Bible and deepen their relationship with God. It is important that despite being a minority, Christians are good witnesses and point people to Christ. The Bible Society supports the Christian community by creating resources and hosting workshops on Bible advocacy.

Part of this programme is also to provide training to church leaders, helping them to lead their congregations and stand firm as Bible advocates in their communities.

This month, £5 will help to provide 2 people who are struggling to access Scripture with a copy of the Psalms in Arabic.

Pray for this Project:

Pray that God would continue to lead the Arab Israeli Bible Society and they would continue to share God’s Word in a meaningful way.

Pray for safety as the staff, volunteers and Christian community share God’s Word, and that people would receive it positively.

Pray for the Muslim population, that God would speak through the Bible Society to them and that they would come to a saving faith in Christ.

This project is our Bible-a-Month project for October. By becoming a Bible-a-Month partner you will help to provide Scripture to people all over the world every month. You will receive a free calendar with information about this and 11 other Bible Society projects. Commit to giving just £5 each month and you will ensure that the Word of God is shared across the world. Sign up here.

GLOBAL BIBLE ACCESS STATISTICS

September 2021

Thursday 30^th September 2021 was International Translation Day – on this day we celebrate the work of many involved in the painstaking work of Bible translation all over the world.

In the last year, we have seen great progress in translation work around the United Bible Societies Global Fellowship despite all the challenges of COVID-19.

Translation is the very first stage of the Bible lifecycle. Translation is the foundation for other Bible mission to grow from, without the translation work nothing else (Printing, Distribution, Literacy work, Engagement or Advocacy) can happen.

In 2021, we are supporting 10 different translation projects from here in Northern Ireland. These projects will impact generations of Christians with God’s Word in a format that is understandable and appropriate for the audience.

Will you join with us in praying for the work of translation teams around the world and for those communities who are waiting patiently to hear God’s Word in their heart language for the first time.

We have included the most recent United Bible Societies’ translation statistics below:

Pray for Bible translation around the world:

Praise God for the progress being made in Bible translation around the world. Pray that these translations would reach the hearts of many.

Pray for those translating God's Word, pray that God would give them the wisdom to translate the Bible into their heart language. Ask Him to encourage them in their work.

Pray for those Christians who are waiting for the Bible, ask God to comfort them and encourage them. Pray that they would have patience, but that they would soon be able to read God's Word.

THE WONDER OF THE WORD

The Gulf

We support a project in the Gulf States, reaching migrant workers with the Bible. Many migrant workers leave their homes and go to the Gulf, hoping to find a better life. When they get there, they often find themselves in a situation very far from the life they thought they would have.

The Bible Society in the Gulf is passionate about reaching these men and women with the Gospel, sharing hope with them. The Bible Society also works alongside local churches to support them and their congregations.

Sadly, many pastors and church members have had to return home, lost jobs or even passed away because of COVID-19. This has left many in hard places, broken-hearted and hopeless.

The Bible Society in the Gulf is offering support to these people through resources and Bible engagement tools, pointing them towards the Gospel. The “Wonder of the Word” resource is being used in many churches and groups, helping them to work through this difficult time. This resource has been translated into Amharic, English, Hindi, Japanese, Malayalam, Telugu, and Nepali. There have been over 1000 copies printed in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, and Telugu. It is hoped that it will help many Christians, pointing them to Christ during these difficult days.

Pray for migrants in the Gulf:

Pray for safe travel of staff between the Gulf States as they bring these resources and share them with local churches.

Pray for those migrants who are struggling during these times. Pray that they would find hope in Christ Jesus and through reading the Word.

Pray for those Christians who are faithfully witnessing to others in spite of their own difficulties and limitations.