Bibles and Balls and “Ownership”
Thanks to many people’s generous donations, we’ve already begun to distribute Bibles and soccer balls to our most needy churches. However, only 10 (of each) have actually been given, and we are intentionally limiting our distribution.
We realized that if a church is simply given a Bible or a ball outright, they will not care properly for it, compared to if they had somehow earned it. We wanted to create a challenging program which would keep churches accountable and perhaps help the Africa Gospel Church (AGC) of Uganda to grow in maturity.
We’ve come up with a program, that when a church either creates 5 written Bible studies and gives them to us (for editing, possible translation and distribution to ALL our AGC Uganda churches), OR if they have 10 church members memorize 10 verses (of our choosing) each, then they could choose either a Bible or a ball for their church’s use, creating ownership, accountability and deeper faith for those involved. Mostly the studies will be used in our youth group meetings and Sunday school classes.
Across Uganda, the ratio of Bibles to church members is about 3 Bibles per 20 people. Although many people may be poorly educated or illiterate, it is precious to them to have Bibles in the church, hearing God’s Word read and studied.
Some of our churches are working at connecting with area teens by playing soccer in the neighborhood. Once a game is on, the youth pastor in charge gains the opportunity to build relationships with those teens, plus oftentimes the gospel is shared right there on the field. In order to promote this evangelism and outreach ministry, we want to make soccer balls available to our church youth pastors.
Now I have a challenge and an invitation for YOU, too! Would you like to contribute to our curriculum development by creating Bible studies for our African youth and young adults? Perhaps through your personal studies, you already have some notes which you’d be willing to share! Over the years, I’ve compiled my own studies which I’ve also contributed. I’m now looking for others who would like to do the same! I would like as many studies as you can give! You can mail them to me directly, or email them to me (so I can read your writing, it is best if these studies are typed, but hand written is also welcome). Our plan is to combine your studies with those of our African church family, translating them and editing them as necessary. My dream is to see not only a monthly curriculum developed, but eventually a devotional book which we could share with ALL our AGC members, to help them personally in their walk with Jesus. A strong Church is only built by a sound foundation of men and women faithful in their walk with Christ. Supplying Bible studies and challenging Africans to create their own will help build a strong church. We are NOT looking for masters or doctoral theses here. We are looking at simple and practical Bible study lessons, personally applicable stories or studies which can be shared for the benefit of all.
Please prayerfully consider how YOU can help– through prayer of course, but also through giving your own written studies for the benefit of your Christian brothers and sisters here in Uganda. Also, if you have not given towards this program but would like to help supply Bibles and balls to our AGC churches, or if you want to add to what you’ve already given, please send your check to WGM, marked with the account #150-21344 AND a note saying it is for the Bibles and Balls program.
There are more details to the program, which will encourage church members to be faithful and challenge unity amongst area churches. If you’d like more information on the structure of the program, please let me know. I’m excited for the path God is leading us on, and would be delighted to share more with you!