Bible League International // Action Podcast: Recent Episodes
Bible League International
Bible League International shares personal experiences and compelling stories from around the world with special guests and engaging talks that connect you to our mission for more than 80 years: serving the under-resourced Church with Bibles and training to transform lives worldwide through God's Word.
In more than 50 countries around the world, God is at work through the programs of Bible League International to touch and transform lives everywhere.
Consider the pastor who planted 11 churches deep in the Amazon jungle where people heard the name of Jesus for the very first time. Or the young believer in Thailand rejected by her family but who would lead dozens to Christ. And the former witchdoctor who now leads Bible studies in her remote African village. Quality content is critical to pointing people to the hope of the Gospel and leading them to become faithful disciples.
Host Michael Woolworth is joined by Dr. Jonathan Adams and Andrew Earnshaw, both of whom are immersed in developing content at Bible League. Hear about the exciting programs in the works and how you can be praying for their use all over the world.
Subscribe now and invite someone to listen with you. Length: 24:55.
Sharing your Christian faith with others in India can get you thrown in jail. In the world's most populous country, the party in power has stated that there's no room for Christianity in its Hindu nation and has passed anti-conversion laws to discourage evangelism.
In spite of this opposition, believers in India are living out who they are in Jesus even when it means giving up rights, privileges and a comfortable life. Pastor Mahesh became a believer and was shunned by his family, forced into homelessness, and attacked, before his church was shut down by authorities. Bible League programs, such as Project Philip and Church Planter Training, are providing the tools for Christians to endure and share the hope of the Gospel.
Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Bobby (last name withheld for security purposes), for a firsthand look at Christian persecution in India. Subscribe and invite others to listen. Length: 20:05.
Conflict, suffering, and loss have defined the Middle East for thousands of years, as evidenced by the current Israel/Hamas conflict. And Christians are often persecuted by governments and the majority religion simply for believing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But God is at work in this region through His faithful followers and Bible League International.
Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Kareem (last name withheld for security reasons) for a captivating discussion on ministering in the Middle East. Subscribe and invite someone to listen with you. Length: 31:15.
The cornerstone of Bible League International's global ministry is creating Philips, named after the evangelist, who in Acts 8, leads the Ethiopian to Christ. You'll also get to hear about staff from Bible League who recently visited the Philippines and saw God at work through our programs, including Project Philip Bible studies.
Guests Deanna and Debbie join host Michael Woolworth and share about meeting a pastor who ministers in hard-to-reach places using his motorcycle. Another who raises young children but makes time to reach troubled teens for Christ. And several church plants that are enjoying growth in numbers and faith by God's grace working through Bible League's programs.
And on a lighter note, you'll hear about the foods they ate, the mud they encountered, and the joyful people they met along the way.
Subscribe today and invite someone to listen. Length: 20:31.
Ten years ago, Bible League International (BLI) and Prison Fellowship International (PFI) joined together to minister around the US and the world to those in prison, their families and even those they've offended. The result is that hundreds of thousands have been impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Andy Corley and Jos Snoep each serves as President and CEO of their respective organizations, PFI and BLI, and they recently sat down to recall the first ten years of this precious partnership. You'll be blessed as you hear Andy and Jos speak about their love and concern for the prison population, and as they share two profound memories from visits with inmates who benefited from our programs.
Subscribe and invite someone to listen with you to The Word in Action Podcast. Length: 40:45.
Bosco suffered a terrible tragedy as a child when his parents were murdered in a conflict within the country of Burundi, Africa. Throughout his teenage years, he lived with unforgiveness and rage, even wanting to take revenge on his family's killers, but God transformed Bosco's life and brought him peace after he heard the Gospel preached in a church he visited.
Today, Bosco leads Igniting Communities for Jesus (ICJ), a partner of Bible League International, that creates brighter tomorrows for the people of Burundi, often touted as the world's poorest country, and disciples them as new believers. ICJ has found favor among Burundi's government schools and the Muslim community. As a result, people are hungry for the Gospel and asking for more Bibles and study materials to share Christ with others.
Invite a friend to listen and join host Michael Woolworth and guests, Bosco and Jennifer (last names withheld for security purposes), for this inspiring edition of The Word in Action Podcast from Bible League International. Length: 21:52.
Henri was dedicated as a child by parents to serve the family's idol. After engaging in demon worship and life as a cattle robber, he became a believer after a life-changing encounter with a Christian in the island nation of Madagascar, Africa.
In addition, the former witchdoctor who knew no peace received his very first Bible. And a Bible study from Bible League International helps lead a group of villagers living steeped in spiritual darkness to the wonderful Light of the Gospel.
These amazing stories, and many others, are shared in vivid detail by Anton de Vreugd from his recent trip to this remote country in Africa. Subscribe today and invite others to listen with you on The Word in Action Podcast. Length: 19:36.
Even the most broken lives can be restored and made whole when women in recovery are engaged in God's Word. The Lord is transforming lives around the world and that's especially true in Hong Kong through a Bible League International program that ministers to women battling drug addiction.
Candy lost her father when she was young, and her mother was mostly absent from the home. This led to a life of rebellion, drug and alcohol abuse, and time spent incarcerated as an adult. Through love and care given by Anita, Candy would come to see her sentence not as God's judgment, but as His mercy to bring about total life transformation.
Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Romi Barcena, as they share Candy's amazing story on The Word in Action Podcast from Bible League International. Invite a friend to listen and subscribe today. Length: 14:48.
When you seat the Chairman of the Board, CEO and Executive Vice President in a studio together, the conversation is likely to be lively. Today, host Michael Woolworth welcomes Dan Chapman, grandson of Bible League founders William and Betty Chapman, along with Jos Snoep and Rob Bullock. Together, this trio will share the air of excitement, and yet the rest in the Lord, they experienced at a recent gathering of staff and partners in Bangkok, Thailand.
They'll also look back on the blessings of 2023, and look forward to the challenges and opportunities in our 86th year of ministry in this new year, drawing on an article from Dan's grandfather, William Chapman, titled "I Don't Know."
Subscribe and invite a friend to listen with you to The Word in Action Podcast, our first of 2024.
Pastor Jakkarao's village in southern India is dotted by mango, tamarind and coconut trees. It's also filled with orphans, widows and people in severe need. He, his family, and his congregation work tirelessly to serve the needs of the Koya tribe and to point them to the hope of the Gospel with help from Bible League International.
As Pastor Jakkarao's story unfolds, you'll learn that his father, as a young man, was taunted by users of black magic, how new believers were baptized in an unconventional manner, and the way in which a farmer's goats were saved by a simple prayer. It's all part of the wonderful story shared by host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Bobby (name withheld for security purposes) on The Word in Action Podcast from Bible League International.
Subscribe today and invite someone to listen with you. Length: 19:07.
We know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change an individual's heart, but we don't often think about how the Good News can transform entire communities. In the Gauteng Province of South Africa, government school students live without any knowledge of the Bible and its teachings. As a result, schools experience teen pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, gang violence, and even the use of witchcraft in classrooms.
But through Pastor Thokozani Tshabalala and his use of Bible League materials in nearly 20 schools where he ministers, students are discovering the love of Christ and understanding God's will for their lives. Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Anton de Vreugd, to hear how engaging students in God's Word is bringing real change to this part of South Africa.
Subscribe and invite someone to listen today. Length: 14:47.
Lorijane was born with one leg shorter than the other. She was bullied by other children, her parents divorced, and she wanted to end her life. But her disability and circumstances did not define her. God did, and He showed Lorijane her incredible worth and gave her the gift of caring for others in one of the world's poorest areas.
Today, she ministers six days a week in the Mindanao region of The Philippines, traveling by foot, horse and on the back of a motor scooter. Host Michael Woolworth is joined by Bible League's Heather Crane, Kellyn Amodeo and Romi Barcena, who were deeply touched as they traveled to The Philippines to see the amazing ministry of Lorijane.
Subscribe, tune in and invite others to listen now. Length: 19:08.
This month, we're re-airing one of our most popular podcasts from December 2022. Our prayer is that you'll enjoy it again, or for the first time.
Imagine being a child only 3 or 4 years of age and dropped off with your siblings at an orphanage by your own parents. You would never see your mother again. One would think that this pain and rejection could easily ruin a child like Kacy. But enter the hope of the Gospel and a dear elderly Christian woman named Lola (Grandma) Nits.
Grab a tissue and join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Romi Barcena, for this hope-filled story from The Philippines. Length: 20:09.
More than one million residents in Zambia cannot read or write primarily because of poverty and the inability to access quality education. More than 80% of these are women who are often forced to marry young or to work to support their family. Bible League International is giving the gift of literacy and introducing participants to the hope of the Gospel through Bible-based Literacy.
Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Lovely Kayombo, who shares about Mambo, a local pastor and Bible-based Literacy instructor, who pours himself into his students while teaching under the shade of a mango tree.
Subscribe today and invite someone to listen with you. Length: 18:23.
Recently, a number of Bible League staff from around the world met in Greece and the message couldn't be clearer -- we need more! More Bibles and study materials are needed because people are hungry and thirsty for God. Our partners are asking for more resources with a sense of urgency and excitement for how God will respond to meeting this incredible need in the coming year.
Rob Bullock, Executive Vice President of Advancement at Bible League International, was part of those meetings and joins host Michael Woolworth for a vibrant discussion on how our ministry desires to double our print budget to engage even more people in God's Word. Length: 15:13.
Malaysia is one of the largest Muslim-majority countries in the world. It's also a place where the "Longhouse People" have lived for centuries steeped in spiritual darkness as animists.
But it's also a part of the world where Bible League has a strong presence through familiar programs like Project Philip and Bible-based Literacy.
Host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Romi Barcena, traveled to Malaysia earlier this year to experience the beautiful modern city of Miri and to go deep into the jungles near the South China Sea.
Subscribe and then tune in to hear how God is moving in this southeast Asia nation. Length: 22:17.
Evangelical Christians make up a very small part of the population in Albania in eastern Europe. At times, believers face persecution from members of the majority religion. One example is of a young Christian woman whose family forced her to marry a non-believer. Another is windows at a local church vandalized by radicals.
Because poverty is widespread among Christians, many pastors must find additional work since churches are unable to pay them a livable wage. Despite these challenges, Jason Lauthers and Anton de Vreugd of Bible League International discovered in their recent visit to Albania that Christians are faithful in their witness for Jesus Christ.
Subscribe today and tune in to this episode of The Word in Action Podcast from Bible League International. Length - 17:35.
The locals in the South African village of Zeerust referred to the street gang comprised of young people as "the scum of the town." They were homeless beggars, addicted to drugs, and engaged in crime. But transformation came when a godly widow named Onica invited them to learn about Jesus. Eventually, the mayor would visit this Bible study to find out what changed these young people and caused a drop in crime in their town.
Join host Michael Woolworth and guest, Ben Setshwaelo, as they share the amazing story of Onica, who utilized two Bible League programs to impact her community. Subscribe and invite someone to listen with you today. Length: 17:05.
Many women in upper Egypt -- in large part, because of cultural and religious norms -- are treated as less valuable, forced to marry young, and denied access to education. Many cannot read or write, so Bible-based Literacy from Bible League International is giving the gift of literacy and dignity to women and showing them God's great love.
Hear about Magda, a wife and mother who was asked by her husband to skip literacy classes. She endured and something beautiful came from her determination to learn to read and write. Listen for the special way she won her husband over!
Join host Michael Woolworth and guest, Nervana (last name withheld for security purposes), as they talk about godly women pouring themselves into others by engaging them in God's Word and seeing lives transformed in the Middle East.
Invite someone to listen, and subscribe today. Length: 16:05.
Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me." Sharing the Gospel with children and discipling them to know and love Jesus is important to Bible League International and that's evident in our new Discovery Series for Children.
Students and teachers alike are showing excitement in using the booklets, manuals and coloring books. Parents are seeing in their children the desire to obey, to do chores cheerfully and to invite others to class.
Join host Michael Woolworth and guest, Jennifer Macharia, who recently visited Zimbabwe, for an overview of the new Discovery Series for Children. Length: 16:07.
It's likely that when you think of Bible League International, you picture ministry that's carried out in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, but our organization is doing more and more in the United States. From Bible-based Literacy to Church Planter Training, many are engaged in God's Word and learning to be a light here in America.
Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Andrew Earnshaw, for a look at Bible League's U.S. Ministry that reached more than 40,000 people with the Gospel last year. Length: 13:14.
Imagine being a child only 3 or 4 years of age and dropped off with your siblings at an orphanage by your own parents. One would think that this pain and rejection could easily ruin a child like Kacy. But enter the hope of the Gospel and a dear elderly Christian woman named Lola (Grandma) Nits.
Grab a tissue and join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Romi Barcena, for this hope-filled story from The Philippines. Length: 20:10.
Not long ago, many parts of Africa were known for being steeped in spiritual darkness. Today, the Gospel is spreading in countries like Tanzania, but pastors and evangelists often lack the skills and resources to share the Good News.
Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Anton, to hear how God is using Bible League International to help transform lives, including those of the village witchdoctor and a drunkard who abused his wife. Invite someone to listen with you. Length: 12:40.
In Matthew 5, Jesus said, "Blessed are the persecuted." Many are singled out, monitored, denied basic rights, beaten, jailed and even threatened with death simply for believing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
That's especially true for persecuted Christians living in Southeast Asia where Bible League International serves in the countries of Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and others.
Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Thony (last name withheld for security purposes), to hear the reasons for persecution and how Christians love their enemies and count it all joy to suffer for the Lord. Length - 19:39.
It's assumed that ministry executives are confined to the boardroom. That's simply not true for Jos Snoep, President and CEO, and Leanne deKoning, Executive Vice President of People and Culture, of Bible League International. The pair traveled recently with others to the countries of Egypt and South Africa, visiting with ministry partners, staff and amazing believers.
On today's The Word in Action Podcast, Jos and Leanne join host Michael Woolworth to share how important it is for them to travel to the field. From receiving a police escort in Egypt to worshipping with joyful prison inmates in South Africa, tune in now to hear about the people and places they'll never forget. Length: 19:01.
Persecuted Christians in Bangladesh love their enemies and count it all joy to suffer for the Lord. That's true for Abir (name changed for security purposes), a former Islamic imam who was beaten, verbally abused, forced to relocate and denied his inheritance after becoming a follower of Jesus Christ.
Today, he pastors a church in this Muslim-majority country and uses Bible League's Project Philip and Church Planter Training to help believers endure and persevere in their faith. Hear more from host Michael Woolworth and guest Ryan Castillero on The Word in Action Podcast. Length 26:30.
God did not intend for His Word to be hard to understand. In 2020, translators completed the entire Bible in contemporary language in the country of Croatia. It is the first modern translation in more than 50 years and Christians are providing great reviews. One believer says, "I am now able to understand the Bible for the first time in my life."
Join Michael Woolworth and guest, Goran (last name withheld for security purposes), on The Word in Action Podcast as they share how the Croatian Contemporary Translation is helping the Church grow and Christians mature in their walk with Jesus Christ. Length: 17:17.
The Bible is replete with women who've made a tremendous difference for the sake of the Gospel: Sarah, Esther, Elizabeth, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the list goes on.
Leah is a wife and mother of two in the eastern part of Zambia in Africa. She lives in a simple hut, draws clean water from a well, and cooks over an outdoor pit. Leah finds great joy in discipling Christian teens in her primitive village using God's Word and Project Philip Bible studies from Bible League International.
Thank you for tuning in and inviting others to listen with you. Length - 17:23
Chaminda is a tea seller in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka. He was short tempered and quarrelsome while serving in the navy during the country's civil war in which thousands were killed. Even though he credits God for saving his life three times as an unbeliever, he felt empty after following several religious traditions. Today, as a Christian, he invites people to learn about Jesus and often transports Bibles by tuk-tuk, a motorcycle taxi.
Hear how Chaminda befriended a Buddhist monk who leads a major college. And when God restored a man's health and brought him and his son to saving faith after Chaminda prayed, referring to them as "strong as trees in Buddhism," but now they're followers of Christ. It's all part of this man's desire to see Sri Lankans embrace the Gospel as their only hope.
Tune in now and invite someone to listen with you to this Action Podcast from Bible League International. Length: 14:25.
Young Pedro was abandoned by his parents and raised by his grandmother. He was beaten and bullied by classmates at school and lost his will to live. His life changed when a neighbor invited him to learn about Jesus. The Bible study gave him a reason to live: “I learned that I matter because of what Jesus has done for me.”
Learn how children in Nicaragua, like Pedro, are not only the future of the church, they are the church now, and need God’s Word. Invite a friend to listen with you to this Action Podcast from Bible League International and leave a review so others will hear it, too.
Shantivardhan is completely blind. He and his mother live in a poor village in India. His father died when he was just 10. His life has been far from easy. But despite the struggles, Shantivardhan has a joyful faith in the Lord. Thanks to an Audio Bible, Shantivardan can hear the Word of God! And he ministers to others, including his own mother, those in his village and others in the visually impaired community.
Tune into this Action Podcast to hear Shantivardhan's full story from host Michael Woolworth and Bobby Thomas, Bible League International Communications Specialist, located in India. Be sure to subscribe to get notifications on new releases!
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Mozambique, every organization was forced to change its processes, including churches.
Pastors and ministry leaders prayed for direction and the Lord led them to Family Project Philip, a new take on the Bible League Bible studies that have already been largely successful across the country. In this episode, Pastor Jaime Guite joins host Michael Woolworth and talks about the process of introducing the program and the incredible results.
We’ve said it before and we’ll continue to say it: God is working through this pandemic.
Training and Bibles provided by Bible League International prepared church planters Manny and Rosa to start a local congregation ministering to migrant families in Williams, California, a community of 5,000 near the capital of Sacramento and known for gangs and violence.
When Rosa became a believer years ago, she joyfully hosted a Bible study in their home, but Manny was bitterly opposed to Christianity. That study led him to accept Christ and now their hearts are on fire to reach their community with the Good News of the Gospel. Hear how they've gathered new Christians together to form a church where these new believers can grow and share their faith with others.
Invite others to listen in!
Five years ago, Mexican authorities captured El Chapo -- one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world. Today, the Sinaloa Cartel kingpin is serving his life sentence in a U.S. prison. For years, a man named Pablo was on this very same path to destruction until he found the narrow path to leads to life.
On this Action Podcast, join host Michael Woolworth and his Bible League colleagues, Ryan and Denisse, as they share the amazing story of this former cartel drug dealer and debt collector who now proclaims, "Seeing Sinaloa's mountain range transformed by Christ is our vision. We want Sinaloa filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe so you get updates and leave a rating so others can find the Action Podcast!
Haiti has been a hot topic on news outlets for months. Its president was assassinated. The country was rocked by a devastating earthquake. Violence and crime dominate the headlines. And Bible League partners in the area aren’t immune to the struggles—recently a pastor of a Bible League partner church was kidnapped and there was a shooting in another partner church.
While the situation in Haiti seems impossibly dark, the Lord continues to shine His light. On this episode of the Action Podcast, Bilda (last name withheld for security reasons), the National Director of Bible League Haiti, discusses with host Michael Woolworth how God is moving in his country. As he says, “God has rescued us from the darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His Son.”
Listen now! Be sure to subscribe so you get updates and leave a rating so others can find the Action Podcast! Thank you for tuning in.
As the Scriptures say, “How wonderful it is to see someone coming to tell good news!” (Romans 10:15 ERV).
For some people in Peru, they’ve never seen the person coming to tell the Good News. Not because there are no Christians to share the Gospel—but because many live in secluded, remote areas. To reach these people, one must literally climb mountains.
So that’s exactly what Bible League-trained Christians started to do.
In this episode of the Action Podcast, you’ll hear about Peru’s Bicentennial Campaign to reach 1 million people with the Gospel of John, including stories of people climbing four hours to share the story of Jesus. It’s amazing the incredible lengths believers are traveling to share the Good News in Peru!
For more stories on God’s faithfulness in action, like and subscribe today!
God did not intend for His Word to be difficult. But the Good News is hard to understand for many of the people we serve. They are among the poorest and least educated in the world, often living in remote villages or under‐developed urban centers. Many have never known or even heard of Jesus Christ. These are the people who need the hope of the Gospel, who need to understand God’s love for them, so that they can believe. That is why Bible League International’s easy‐to‐read Bible translations, written in everyday language, are so important. Join host Michael Woolworth and his guests, Brian McLemore, Alex Oliveros and Dr. Yancy Smith, in this 20-minute Action Podcast to learn how Bible League's Bible Translation work is making the Bible accessible around the world. Part 2 of a two-part podcast series.
God did not intend for His Word to be difficult. But the Good News is hard to understand for many of the people we serve. They are among the poorest and least educated in the world, often living in remote villages or under‐developed urban centers. Many have never known or even heard of Jesus Christ. These are the people who need the hope of the Gospel, who need to understand God’s love for them, so that they can believe. That is why Bible League International’s easy‐to‐read Bible translations, written in everyday language, are so important. Join host Michael Woolworth and his guests, Brian McLemore, Alex Oliveros and Dr. Yancy Smith, in this 20-minute Action Podcast to learn how Bible League's Translation Services are making the Bible accessible around the world. Part 1 of a two-part podcast series.
Nepal, in south Asia, is home to Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak situated in the Himalayan Mountains. The prevalence of Hinduism and the influence of communism within the country means stiff opposition to Gospel evangelism. In fact, new anti-conversion laws make it difficult for Christians to share that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Despite these challenges, the Church is blossoming. Bible League International programs are vital to this growth as you’ll hear from host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Ram Hari (last name withheld for security reasons) in this 17-minute Action Podcast.
Bangladesh, located in south Asia, is one of the world’s most populated countries. Living in this Muslim-majority nation, Christians are a small minority and often face persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. A major obstacle is lack of training in evangelism and discipleship, and many Bangladeshi believers face poverty and illiteracy. But in spite of these factors, host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Phelip (last name withheld for security purposes), share that Christians are boldly proclaiming Christ and that Bible League International programs are helping to foster Church growth, both in big cities and remote areas. Invite a friend to listen to this encouraging 17-minute Action Podcast.
With more than 54 million people, Kenya is among the most populated countries in Africa. It's bordered by South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania and the Indian Ocean. The location of Kenya is strategic to the ministry of Bible League International and provides openings to unreached tribes, such as the well-known Maasai. Host Michael Woolworth is joined by his guest, Pastor Joel of Kitale, Kenya, who shares how the Gospel is changing lives in his native country, where the majority of its people identify as Christians. Be encouraged as you tune in to this fifteen-minute Action Podcast on all things Kenya.
Indonesia is the largest island nation in the world. Located in southeast Asia, it's also the world's most populous Muslim-majority country with nearly 270 million people. "Indonesia and its people are absolutely beautiful and kind," says host Michael Woolworth of Bible League International, who traveled there in 2020 with four U.S. radio hosts. From visits to bustling cities and remote villages, the group met with Christians who live out their faith with boldness and great joy despite great challenges. "I couldn't wait to get back to share how the Gospel is changing lives in Indonesia," concluded Bob Burney of WRFD Radio in Columbus, Ohio. Join us for this Action Podcast. No passport needed and no jetlag, we promise.
India is the second most populated country in the world with 1.3 billion people, and it's the land of the late independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi. Eighty percent of the population follows Hinduism. Persecution against Christians grows stronger daily throughout India. But facing hostility hasn't silenced them. Instead, as host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Subish (last name withheld for security purposes), discuss, believers stand ready to boldly share the hope found only in Jesus Christ. You'll be encouraged to hear how Bible League International programs are equipping Christians with Bibles and training. And in return, growing their faith and inspiring them to engage people in God's Word.
Latin America is quickly becoming one of the world's centers of Christianity. In countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and others, the evangelical Church is growing and thriving. And this in spite of extreme violence, poverty, remoteness and the influence of traditional religion. Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Rafael (last name withheld for security purposes), as they talk about how Bible League International is helping to bring God's Word to this vibrant part of the globe.
Ministry can happen in difficult places, even in jails and prisons. An important part of Bible League International's ministry here in America is serving inmates. This includes leading inmates to Jesus Christ, discipling them in their new faith, and training them to reach others. Join host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Harold Trujillo, as they talk about the remarkable success of a pilot program aimed at seeing the Great Commission realized in Chicago's Cook County Jail and in correctional facilities around the U.S.
The growth of the evangelical church on the continent of Africa is nothing short of amazing. In 1900, the Christian community totaled ten million. Today, more than 400 million follow Jesus Christ, but it's been said that Christianity in Africa is "a mile wide, but only an inch deep." Credit this saying to many issues, such as syncretism, the blending of the Gospel with traditions and pagan practices in some churches, and to the dire need for Bibles and training.
Listen to this Action Podcast as host Michael Woolworth and his colleague, Lillian (last name withheld to protect identity), discuss how Bible League International's programs are impacting lives in the Eastern Africa countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania and others.
Southeast Asia is home to Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, six countries where Bible League International has a strong presence. In this region, known for its tropical climate of hot, humid and rainy seasons, ministry can be difficult among those that practice Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and other religions. Many languages are spoken here, including Malay, Indonesian, Filipino and Thai. Remoteness, poverty and the task of navigating islands and jungles present other challenges. Yet, in spite of these obstacles, host Michael Woolworth and his guest, Jacob (alias used for security purposes), share that the Gospel is going forth and the Church is growing in this part of the world.
The Middle East is known for many things -- radicals, refugees, terrorist cells, conflict, suffering and storied history. Home to the Holy Land, it's also where life began, where the ancient Israelites were guided by God, where the early Church was birthed, and where Jesus lived and ministered. Today, since Christians comprise only a small percentage of the population, one would think that the Church here is weak, outnumbered and retreating. Host Michael Woolworth and his Bible League International companions learned on a recent trip to the Middle East that, despite all of the challenges, the Church is truly living out her role as the radiant bride of Christ.
In the late nineteenth century, philosophers in Europe declared God dead, but in spite of this, God's Church is growing in Europe. While some here embrace atheism, Islam or traditional religion, many are witnessing the collapse or emptiness left by these systems, and placing their faith in Jesus Christ. On this inaugural Action Podcast, join host Michael Woolworth and his colleague, Anton (last name withheld to protect identity), as they share how the ministry of Bible League International is impacting lives in the European countries of Albania and Armenia.