YOUR MONTHLY MEMBER’S REPORT FEBRUARY 2025
ARMENIA
In the 1st century, Christianity reached Armenia. In the 4th century, the Armenian king converted to Christianity, allowing the faith to spread throughout the country. Today, 97 per cent of Armenians identify as Christians.
The Bible Society of Armenia is dedicated to bringing the comfort of God’s Word to Armenians living in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has long been a disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, tensions between the two countries over this region escalated into full-scale war. To date, they have fought three wars over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Bible Society is reaching out to people living in isolated border villages through its “Moving Gospel: Good News for Border Villages” project. These villages are under constant attack with regular shelling leading to the destruction of settlements and agricultural land. Some residents leave but others stay and try to continue with their lives.
The Bible Society team, which includes trained psychologists and local priests, holds twelve two-hour meetings in each village. At the meetings, they read and discuss parables, discuss biblical values, teach prayers and psalms, and perform puppet shows on biblical topics. They also distribute Scriptures and relevant Christian literature.
Women and children come together to find joy and healing through creativity in their art therapy classes. The women learn to craft beautiful carpet squares while the children engage their imaginations by making colourful puppets. The project culminates in an uplifting puppet show, where the children share stories inspired by meaningful parables, like the Parable of the Sower. Every participant receives a certificate to celebrate their hard work and creativity, acknowledging their journey and accomplishments together.
Your gift to Bible a Month Regular Giving this month will help to support this project.
View the PDF version of your Member’s Report here.
Watch an update from the ‘Moving Gospel’ project in Armenia
Prayer Points for Armenia
Give thanks for the Armenian Church, established over 1,700 years ago, which has provided a firm foundation for the Armenian people.
Pray for a long-term, peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which began in 1988 and has so far seen the loss of 30,000 lives.
Pray that more Armenian Christians will connect with the Word as despite the country having a strong Christian history, Bible reading among Christians is rare.
Pray for a resolution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and for forgiveness so that both sides of the conflict can find peace and reconciliation.
Pray more with us here.
FURTHER BIBLE MISSION PROJECTS
Ethiopia
In the 4th century, Christianity was adopted as the state religion by King Ezana of the kingdom of Aksum. Today, 63 per cent of Ethiopians identify as Christian. Between 1896-1974 Ethiopia came under the Amhara Empire. This included Italian occupation between 1936-41. In 1974, a revolution overthrew the reigning Emperor and Marxism was imposed on the country which lasted until 1991.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was the state church from 1270-1974, but the Marxist regime persecuted Christians, destroying many churches. Today, Christians continue to experience persecution although the level varies. The Bible Society of Ethiopia is working under challenging conditions to bring people the Word of God through a variety of projects and in different contexts.
Bolivia
In the 15th century, the Tiwanaku people were conquered by the Inca Empire who, in turn, were conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. In 1825, Bolivia gained independence from Spain. After that, over 200 coups and revolutions held back any meaningful economic progress. However, after 1985 democratic governments have brought greater stability to the country.
Officially, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Today, 85 per cent of Bolivians identify as Christian. The Bible Society of Bolivia is seeking to provide families with the Word of God, to teach literacy to Aymara children, and to provide trauma healing to people who have suffered psychological trauma due to domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Costa Rica
In 1502, Christopher Colombus first visited what is now Costa Rica. In 1563, Spanish colonists created a colony that lasted for almost 300 years. In 1813, Costa Rica became part of the Federal Republic of Central America. Following the Mexican War of Independence (1810 – 1821), it became part of the independent Mexican Empire.
Bible mission work began in 1892. The Bible Society of Costa Rica was formed in 1970.
It is providing Scripture portions in Braille for adults and children. Through its End2End project it is sharing the gospel with people by showing the JESUS film, running listening groups, and facilitating Bible reading programmes. It is translating the Bible into Costa Rican Sign language.
Papua New Guinea
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, indigenous peoples in Papua New Guinea practised animism and ancestor worship. In the 19th century, Christian missionaries such as the Society of Mary (Marist brothers) and the London Missionary Society began arriving.
These early missionaries encountered many difficulties including disease, danger, and death.
Today, 96 per cent of people in Papua New Guinea identify as Christian. It is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. The Bible Society of Papua New Guinea is revising the 1989 version of the Tok Pisin Bible, so that it can play a role in the life of young Christians in the church because the language has changed significantly since then.
Ethiopia
In the 4th century, Christianity was adopted as the state religion by King Ezana of the kingdom of Aksum. Today, 63 per cent of Ethiopians identify as Christian. Between 1896-1974 Ethiopia came under the Amhara Empire. This included Italian occupation between 1936-41. In 1974, a revolution overthrew the reigning Emperor and Marxism was imposed on the country which lasted until 1991.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was the state church from 1270-1974, but the Marxist regime persecuted Christians, destroying many churches. Today, Christians continue to experience persecution although the level varies. The Bible Society of Ethiopia is working under challenging conditions to bring people the Word of God through a variety of projects and in different contexts.
Bolivia
In the 15th century, the Tiwanaku people were conquered by the Inca Empire who, in turn, were conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. In 1825, Bolivia gained independence from Spain. After that, over 200 coups and revolutions held back any meaningful economic progress. However, after 1985 democratic governments have brought greater stability to the country.
Officially, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Today, 85 per cent of Bolivians identify as Christian. The Bible Society of Bolivia is seeking to provide families with the Word of God, to teach literacy to Aymara children, and to provide trauma healing to people who have suffered psychological trauma due to domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Costa Rica
In 1502, Christopher Colombus first visited what is now Costa Rica. In 1563, Spanish colonists created a colony that lasted for almost 300 years. In 1813, Costa Rica became part of the Federal Republic of Central America. Following the Mexican War of Independence (1810 – 1821), it became part of the independent Mexican Empire.
Bible mission work began in 1892. The Bible Society of Costa Rica was formed in 1970.
It is providing Scripture portions in Braille for adults and children. Through its End2End project it is sharing the gospel with people by showing the JESUS film, running listening groups, and facilitating Bible reading programmes. It is translating the Bible into Costa Rican Sign language.
Papua New Guinea
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, indigenous peoples in Papua New Guinea practised animism and ancestor worship. In the 19th century, Christian missionaries such as the Society of Mary (Marist brothers) and the London Missionary Society began arriving.
These early missionaries encountered many difficulties including disease, danger, and death.
Today, 96 per cent of people in Papua New Guinea identify as Christian. It is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. The Bible Society of Papua New Guinea is revising the 1989 version of the Tok Pisin Bible, so that it can play a role in the life of young Christians in the church because the language has changed significantly since then.
The Book of Ecclesiastes
Where to Turn When Life Lets You Down
Life is a gift, but it rarely turns out how we expect. We’re convinced things like wealth, power, fame, and control will give us meaning and lead us to a flourishing life—but, every time, they let us down. So where do we go when the bottom falls out? Where do we turn when things are going great but we still feel empty?
In this ten-session series, pastor Jonathan “JP” Pokluda takes us through the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us that we are not alone in our search for meaning.
WATCH NOW
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EMPTY HANDS
BIBLE POVERTY
EMPTY HEARTS
BIBLE ENGAGEMENT
EMPTY MINDS
BIBLE LITERACY