Many Lifewords resources and projects are valued by churches, chaplains and youth workers as they seek to share the Bible’s words of life. But there are so many more ways in which people are using our resources to bring life in their contexts.

From Mike in Norfolk, sharing our Little Books with those experiencing homelessness, to Laurent in France, sharing our WWI Gospel with veterans and families, to Ruth, bringing comfort through our resources to those experiencing debt.

Chapter 15, a homeless drop-in shelter in the UK, is bringing life to people experiencing homelessness in Thetford, Norfolk, offering showers, laundry, clothing, refreshments, haircuts, and foot care, alongside friendship and support, as well as some of Lifewords’ resources. Mike Griffin, who works at the shelter, told us:  

"One man who had not had a shower or haircut in years sat outside and cried tears of joy as he told the volunteers ‘You have no idea what it means to me to be clean, have a shave and my haircut, and to be wearing clean clothes.’"

When the team at Chapter 15 wanted to share the Bible’s good news with their guests, Mike ordered some of our Little Books: "When we took over running the centre in April our biggest challenge was how to share the Bible’s good news with such hurting and struggling people. We ordered some of Lifewords Little Book series (Chaos, Jesus, Faith, Prayer) and thought that maybe this could be our way of gently sharing the gospel and encouraging our guests.

"The first day we saw guests taking them and starting to read them and then a number asked if they could keep them. One guest spoke to another about how the booklets contains Bible verses and how nice and encouraging they were.

"Another guest, who spoke about her experience of loneliness and despair, asked if she could have one of each and came back the next week to say she had read all of them, that the words were a help and an encouragement and that she now kept them by her bed in her room at the hostel.

"These Little Books have provided a way for us to gently share the gospel in a non-threatening way, and we are very grateful that Lifewords has made this possible.  Our prayer is that God will continue to use these little books to share God’s love with the guests who visit Chapter 15."

Ruth, who manages a Christians Against Poverty (CAP) centre in North Yorkshire, finds Little Book of Prayer particularly helpful in supporting those she walks alongside.

Ruth shared: “I have used Little Book of Prayer with a number of CAP clients. It is small enough to put in your pocket and simple to read and understand.” She reflected on a specific moment: “I read a prayer from there with a particularly anxious lady the other week who found it reassuring and said she would like to take one and use it on her own when she feels anxious again.”

In Normandy, France, Laurent has been sharing our replica WWI Active Service Saint John’s Gospel during commemorative events. He shared: “I really have this at heart, to share these materials with veterans and their families. However, I do not speak English. But I trust God: he put this on my heart, something so strong emerges from sharing this resource, despite this language barrier.

"God's ways are truly above our ways. I have noticed that it really brings them joy when I share this gospel with them.”*

These examples show how Lifewords' resources are being used in many different ways to meet people where they are - whether they are facing homelessness, anxiety, debt, or whether they are taking time to commemorate those who died in WWI and in other conflicts around the world.

Each story highlights the value of accessible, meaningful resources that bring encouragement and hope into real-life situations. We want to hear your stories too – how are you bringing life in your community?

_{*translated from French}

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