Samuel Ekpo is Relationship Manager Migrant & International Churches with the BSNF. ‘Our mission is for everyone to be able to read the Bible in the language of their hearts’, says Ekpo.
Bible distribution in their own language
Earlier this year, Ekpo visited Zwolle, Venlo and Arnhem. Through the BSNF these churches can obtain Bibles in various languages, and children’s Bibles in for example English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Portuguese and Russian. In Arnhem, Ekpo visited the Chinese Christian Community. Pastor Steve Warren received the NVB21, Bijbel+ and the Chinese Family Bible 100 steps. The visit was appreciated: ‘I am happy about these Bibles’, a member of the church expressed, ‘and we will become members of the BSNF to support its mission.’ Attention was also paid to the Chinese Bibles to be obtained at BSNF, and to Bible Basics.
Training with Bible Basics
In addition to church visits, BSNF provides training for children’s workers in migrant churches, using the digital bilingual Sunday school method Bible Basics, in Dutch Bijbel Basics. The training focuses on the different ages and development stages every child goes through. Reading the Bible with a 3-year-old is different from doing so with a 10-year-old. It is important to be aware of the specific needs and interests of every age. The training introduces the eight different ways of accessing stories defined by the education psychologist Howard Gardner. Furthermore, ‘children’s theology’ is explained.
The next training session with Bible Basics is:
- 30 September, Opstandingskerk, Esdoornstraat 25, Zwolle, 12 noon-15 pm, sign up with Madelon Grant, . Participation is free.
Photo: Samuel Ekpo (to the right) visiting the Chinese church in Arnhem, with Pastor Warren (center).