The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14 NLT

We have emerged from the global pandemic into huge turmoil in the global economy. More than ever before, people all over the world are in need of stability and hope. Recent research in the UK suggests that just 5% of the population “love the Bible”, while in total 54% are indifferent or dismissive*. If you love God’s Word, this information represents a huge challenge. Yet at the same time, we have an amazing opportunity to engage people with the Bible’s story of God’s unchanging love, hope, and forgiveness – the story that points to Jesus.

Our belief is that Lifewords mission is as vital now as at perhaps any time in our 134-year history.

Partner with us

We have ambitious dreams for 2023 and we’d love you to be part of making them a reality. Our challenge is to raise funds to deliver all of our resources and programmes. When you share the journey with us, it makes a real impact on our ability to reach more people. With your partnership, we can share the Bible in multiple cultures and contexts. And, as we do our part together, we can trust that Scripture is living and active – and will help many like Daniel encounter Jesus.

Meeting a need

We recently received a message from a team based in Cagnes-sur-Mer in France, who have been ordering materials in Pashto, Bengali, Urdu, Persian, and Arabic. “Hello, we are a team of evangelists from the AUDIOVIE ministry and have been going every week since 2015 to Ventimiglia to meet migrants from Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Bangladesh. Thank you for your ministry.” This is a real encouragement and affirmation that people are sharing the gospel and using our resources to do it – how wonderful! “With increasing migration, and with Christians doing evangelistic and social projects around the world, there is a constant need for printed resources in many languages: the need is not declining despite digitalisation,” explains Jarek Jankowski, who heads our Global Bible Resources programme in Toruń, Poland. “In face-to-face mission contexts, printed materials still play a vital role. Our booklets are often given alongside practical help like food or clothing.”

Unwrapping our plans

Lifewords ministry is only possible because of God’s faithfulness and your prayerful and financial support, which helps to ensure that we can continue to produce these resources. We have just released A Story for the Whole World, a brand-new resource to help churches and individuals share the Nativity story. We are also launching a new evangelistic booklet for use in outreach, offering Jesus’ invitation to “follow me”. Next year, our 50 languages project aims to translate and produce 26 print resources and digital animations. Many will be the first Lifewords resources to be published in these languages this century. We’re also bringing the Bible to at-risk children and young people around the world through Pavement Project, as a new app available in 14 languages makes its full debut. In Indonesia, we’ve opened 25 new Lifewords Kids Ministry locations, reaching 1,250 children; and in Zambia there are more RISE Bible clubs in schools. And we’re continuing to invite people to the way of Jesus through the lens of our beatitudes-based Ninefold Path group resource. We are also continuing to equip and support ministries working with Ukrainian refugees, and in Ukraine our digital resources are providing comfort to those still there in the midst of the conflict.

Making a difference

When thousands of words and images bombard us every day, let’s hold fast and hold out the Word of Life. Daniel’s testimony emphasises that many who encounter the Bible through our resources have never experienced Scripture before, much less engaged with its message. He says: “I realised that my help comes from the Lord, and I can depend on the God of the Bible to bring me hope and peace ... I always felt that no one cared about me in prison, until I read Lifewords booklets. My strength was renewed after I realised that God defends those who suffer. I have found hope in God and there is joy in my heart.” Our resources make a personal difference, and the ripples spread even wider.

If you would like to donate to Lifewords ministry, be assured that it will be put to work to help people encounter Jesus through the Bible. You can make a one-off gift, a regular standing order or direct debit (which helps us to plan ahead), or even leave us a gift in your Will – for us, each supporter signifies that Bible ministry is still living and active, and vital. If you are not able to donate right now, please do pray for our endeavours into next year. You can make your gift online, or by calling us on 020 7730 2155.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement – we pray that 2023 will be the start of a new season where in partnership together, we will invite many to follow the Bible’s message of freedom in Christ.

* Lumino, from Bible Society, is based on an online YouGov survey of 19,101 adults in England and Wales undertaken in Oct/Nov 2018. Full research can be found at www.lumino.bible.