Have you ever thought, “I’ve heard about these Storytelling trainings, and I would really like the chance to experience one?” Have heard about “Bridges” and wondered, “What is a Bridges to Oral Cultures Training?” Do you know someone who might like to join an SIU training? Through our partnership with TRAIN International and their TELL division, we have an upcoming opportunity for you or an associate of yours.

This month we are featuring three of the seven unreached people groups who, by the Lord’s providential timing, our partners have shared unique opportunities to minister among. You can help in this effort through your prayers and your financial support for Bridges training events. Here is an incredible year-end giving opportunity for those with significant Kingdom growth and effective ministry stewardship mindsets.

When our team members travel to spend time with our Indigenous SIU partners, quite often we are shown some incredible ways that “gatherings of believers” happen without having to meet in a physical building. We like to refer to it as “church at the water well,” “church under a tree,” “church on the back of a camel” (that’s a fun image to picture ????) or “house church.” The Greek word “ekklesia” is the word often translated as “church” in our modern, English Bibles. In the language of today, the word “church” often means a building where Christians meet for their regular services. The original meaning of the word “ekklesia” refers to an assembly or gathering of believers, not a building where people gather. A basic definition of the New Testament word “ekklesia,” is “those who are called out and assembled together.”

This month’s blog post is part of a series of distinctive applications of SIU’s Oral Bible Strategies as defined by our founders, Jim and Carla Bowman.

“April blossoms of lilacs and apricot trees highlight the landscape in rural Kyrgyzstan. On this third day of class, drama practice of the story of Deborah has just ended as Damira steps forward for biblical poetry recitation. Her round eyes glow as she begins to recite Deborah’s song from Judges:

‘Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
of yurt-dwelling women most blessed…’

In the large room her voice resonates beautifully. Listeners smile as they hear the Bible verses take on the flavor of their beautiful tent dwelling, nomadic culture….”

Each year that the Lord continues to allow our ministry and our partners to do His work in Oral Cultures around the world, we have the blessing of sharing and sending out our SIU Annual Report. We have already received much positive feedback from our recent 2021 report and would like to take a moment to share one of the selected stories, a testimony and some highlights. We continue to celebrate our God – the God who never sleeps and is never surprised.