{"id":104797,"date":"2026-07-22T06:53:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T18:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biblesociety.org.nz\/?p=104797"},"modified":"2026-08-27T10:09:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T22:09:46","slug":"bamrg-august-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/bamrg-august-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"BAMRG Members Report &#8211; August 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sierra Leone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sierra Leone is a tropical nation on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Guinea and Liberia. Originally established in 1787 as a settlement for formerly enslaved people, it is now home to approximately 9.3 million people, with Freetown as its capital city. English is the official language, while Krio, a Creole language based on English, is widely spoken across its diverse ethnic communities. Christianity has been part of Sierra Leone\u2019s history since its early days, making it one of the first African nations to be evangelised. However, the current reality presents a different landscape, with Christians now making up only 22% of the population, while the majority identify as Muslim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, the country faces significant socio-economic challenges. Poverty and illiteracy are deeply rooted, contributing to high youth unemployment, lack of skills and low wages. These challenges affect national development and hinder effective ministry and evangelism. Many Christians cannot afford a Bible, and others struggle to read and understand Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response, the Bible Society of Sierra Leone has launched a <strong>Scripture Distribution Project <\/strong>using the <strong>Jesus Film <\/strong>and <strong>Proclaimer Audio Bibles. <\/strong>This audio-visual approach enables God\u2019s Word to reach people regardless of literacy level or financial circumstances. The project aims to reach <strong>15,000 people <\/strong>through film screenings and audio Bible distribution. It also includes ministry training in partnership with local churches, engaging community leaders, three orphanages (serving 50 participants each), and four drug rehabilitation centres in Kono (East) and Makeni (North). Participants will also receive a printed Bible at the end of each programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your support this month will help make this project possible. Because of your generosity, many will encounter Christ through the Word of God and experience its transforming power, no matter their circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prayer Points for Sierra Leone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>For gratitude and thanksgiving <br><\/em><\/strong><em>Give thanks for all who have been involved in this project so far, for their dedication, service, and impact in sharing God\u2019s Word.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>For provision and growth <br><\/em><\/strong><em>Pray for sufficient funding to sustain and expand the project, opening new opportunities to reach more communities.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<strong><em>For participants and impact <br><\/em><\/strong><em>Pray that many more people will be inspired to take part, and that their hearts will be open to receiving and responding to God\u2019s Word.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<strong><em>For resources and outreach <br><\/em><\/strong><em>Pray for additional equipment, such as projectors and screens, so that the Jesus Film can be shared widely in heart languages, reaching more people effectively.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pray more with us<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/get-involved\/pray-with-us\/?utm_source=bsnz&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=pwu&amp;utm_content=bamrg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FURTHER BIBLE MISSION PROJECTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Peru-1024x757.jpg\" alt=\"Peru - Bible a Month Regular Giving\" style=\"width:579px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Peru<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite its rich natural heritage, Peru faces significant challenges. Over 50% of its people live in poverty, and 17.5% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. Although Peru is predominantly Catholic, recent declines emphasise the need for ongoing prayer and support for missionaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response, the Peruvian Bible Society launched the Bread of Life for Children at Risk Project. Serving children aged 4\u201313 in Cusco, Shipibo, and Ash\u00e1ninka communities, the program combines Bible teaching with a nutritious breakfast, bringing hope, care, and nourishment to vulnerable children. Pray that this project may thrive, providing both daily sustenance and the lasting hope of the gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gambia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Gambia, women and girls face deep marginalisation, compounded by low literacy rates and limited access to education. With 90% of the population Muslim and only 5% Christian, access to Scripture, especially in local languages, remains a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To address this need, the Bible Society is leading the Literacy for Young Girls and Women Project, working alongside Bible translation efforts to ensure God\u2019s Word is not only accessible but understandable. Literacy classes empower at least 1,000 women each year to read, write, and count in Wolof, Mandinka, Manjago, Jola, and Karoninka across the Sahel region. Pray that this project may restore dignity, strengthen faith, and transform communities through literacy and Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">South Sudan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bari language is one of the main languages in South Sudan\u2019s central region. It is also widely spoken among Christian communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the current Bari Bible, translated in 1979, uses language that is now difficult for the present generation to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To address this issue, the Bible Society is revising the Old Testament and translating the Deuterocanonical (DC) books, giving the Bari people access to the full Bible in their mother tongue. This work will support evangelism and church growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please pray that God\u2019s Word becomes clear, accessible, and life\u2011giving for the Bari-speaking community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Greece<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greek Sign Language (GSL) has been legally recognised in the country since 2000. Despite this, the Bible has never been systematically translated into GSL, leaving an estimated 45,000 Deaf and difficult\u2011of\u2011hearing people without access to Scripture in their heart language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recognising this long-standing gap, the Hellenic Bible Society is launching a New Testament translation in Greek Sign Language, beginning with key passages commonly used in worship. This project seeks to make God\u2019s Word accessible, strengthen faith, and foster inclusion within the Deaf community. Prayer is needed that this work will progress faithfully and bring hope and spiritual growth to Deaf believers across Greece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tame Your Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have you been feeling weighed down by worry? Or caught up in a web of self-critical thoughts? The good news is that with God\u2019s help, you can learn to renew your mind, break free from negative patterns, and become a little more like Jesus every day. This six-session Bible study by Maxi Lucado explores three Scripture-based tools for managing your thoughts<br><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><title>ionicons-v5-i<\/title><\/svg><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your contribution to Bible a Month Regular Giving this month will play a crucial role in supporting Bible mission in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":89540,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":267,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[10,11,12,9],"class_list":["post-104797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bamrg-members-report","tag-bible-engagement","tag-bible-mission","tag-bible-poverty","tag-get-involved"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104797"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105717,"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104797\/revisions\/105717"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/89540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzealandmarketing.co.nz\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}