Scottish Bible Society supports
holistic ministry in Malawi

MALAWI — “We are very excited about our partnerships where Scriptures will be distributed with food, aid and through education, a real holistic ministry!” This is how the Scottish Bible Society is expressing its enthusiasm for supporting Bible work in Malawi through links with humanitarian organisations.

Following a visit to Malawi in October by [outgoing] Chief Executive the Rev Doug Campbell, the Scottish Bible Society is working closely with the Bible Society of Malawi to establish partnership agreements through which God’s Word can be distributed as part of holistic ventures designed to address a range of needs. “Please help us provide Bibles and New Testaments in Chichewa, Tumbuka, Sena and other local languages as well as audio cassettes, children’s Bibles and children’s Bible stories,” it is asking its donors. 

Outreach booklets

One of the local Bible Society’s partners is the Salvation Army. The Army will distribute Bibles, New Testaments and copies of the United Bible Societies’ HIV/AIDS outreach booklets Where is the Good Samaritan Today? and Living in Hope: Help from the Scriptures for Coping with HIV/AIDS* as part of its aid program.

“This is an exciting way of reaching out to people within a holistic ministry,” says Mr Campbell. “We are pleased to be working with such a well-known and trusted organisation as the Salvation Army and delighted to be of help in their outreach campaigns by donating copies of God’s Word.”

Vibrant program

The Scottish Bible Society’s enthusiasm is shared by Kamwana Muyaya, Assistant General Secretary of the Bible Society of Malawi.

“I will be very happy to supply Bibles to the Salvation Army. We work with them so well. We have co-operated in food and Scripture distribution and they also have a vibrant HIV/AIDS program.”

Other organisations with which links are being established are World Vision, which will be offering Scriptures to adults and children taking part in their seed and planting program; the Child Support Project, which will distribute children’s Scriptures along with food and pencils to primary schools, and Scriptures to senior school pupils and to women’s groups; and World Exchange, through which Scriptures will be supplied to Likhubula House, Malawi’s first Mountain Activity Centre.

Celebrate 15 years

The Scottish Bible Society is also collaborating with the Salvation Army in Russia. Here, God’s Word will be at the centre of celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the Salvation Army’s return to the country.

“In September we shall celebrate 15 years of fresh service in Russia with special events in St Petersburg,” says Colonel Raemor Pobjie. “At this time we want to do some street ministry and it would be wonderful to have New Testaments to give to people.”

*For further information about the Bible Society of Malawi’s use of this Scripture Portion, see Latest News #254.

For an earlier report about collaboration between the Bible Society of Malawi, World Vision and the Salvation Army, see Latest News #239. (WR 403/11 - 07.06)