News & Events

To receive the most updated information about CBSI in our six specific regions – such as events, news, current prayer requests, and recent trips – click on the links below.

Also, to the left, you can get a better look at some of the countries where CBSI is active, and have a greater idea of what the worldwide ministry of Community Bible Study looks like. Click on countries to the left to learn more about what God is doing in those countries right now.

 

Africa
Asia – Pacific
Central – Eastern Europe
Middle East
North & Central America and the Caribbean
South America

Western Europe

Recent Updates: Africa

Prayer for the Area:

First praise for how the Lord has multiplied this ministry since 2000 - to over 117 classes in 5 Mozambican provinces with over 1750 participants. And there is every indication that He has plans to expand to other provinces.
Pray for the leaders in each province - Satan is alive and well and continually attacks the bringing of the light of the gospel into dark areas!
Pray for adequate Bible study material in each area.  They have to reproduce the lessons locally and funds are always limited.  
That the participants in these studies would accept Jesus as their savior - most of them in the very rural pagan areas are lost 

Rwanda

In February, Reverend Agnes, National Director of CBSI Rwanda, completed training over 60 pastors and leaders, under the Evangelical Free Church leadership of Pastor Esron. Thirty-seven of these leaders have already started studies with over 500 participants! The Children’s Program has now been launched, using the Matthew study which has been adapted for the children. The potential number of participants for this program could reach 12-15,000 school-aged children. 

The ministry in Rwanda continues to mature and the Word continues to expand and grow. Please remain in prayer as we seek to expand the good work already started there.

June 2010

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Uganda

Since the November 2009 training and the launch of CBSI in January 2010, 6000 people are involved in CBSI Bible Studies.  Several more training sessions have taken place since then and we expect the numbers to grow.

Our efforts have been focused in the Hoima and Masindi districts – an area about the size of Connecticut – a four-hour drive from Kampala where Runyoro is the primary language. This requires not only full translation of CBS materials, but distribution over a wide area with poor roads often to remote villages. A logistical challenge!  

We have been building out our infrastructure in the country to support the work both in terms of people and assets. The recent progress includes: a Toyota pickup for training and the delivery of lessons; a desktop computer and printer, used to translate lessons to Runyoro; an Area Coordinator for Rev.John in Hoima. Annet joins John K. who is the coordinator in Masindi; completion of a Translation Team, now a total of five individuals with excellent credentials. They are hard at work translating the second CBS lesson series into Runyoro – the book of Matthew.

Please continue to keep our Ugandan friends in your prayers that the Word of God will continue to be a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path in an often dark place. We appreciate your ongoing support as we try to keep up with the work of the Holy Spirit as demand for CBS study material rings out from so much of the country. 

June 2010

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Nigeria

The Lord has been good to protect Sholy, the National Director of CBSI Nigeria, and other class members in the midst of an attack on Christians in his hometown of Jos by Muslim extremists. Pray that God would restore peace in both the city and in the hearts of the people who lost loved ones, homes or businesses during the very intense fighting. Pray that this event would not hinder the development of classes in areas with a high Muslim population.

Entreat God on our behalf for the peace of our nation, and for wisdom to be given to our godly leaders; though they are very few.

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Recent Updates: Asia - Pacific

Thank you for your prayers for our Regional Servants Team meeting. All agreed it was a great time of fellowship and progress in the plans and programme of the Asia-Pacific.. Much of the discussions concerned the need for continuous training for all existing leaders.

Australia

Praise the Lord for His Preparation of people and His Provision of all that we need to finish this year Powerfully!

Mordialloc - Melbourne - Victoria

The Book of Philippians is blessing all the ladies at the Mordialloc women's class in incredible ways! They did not anticipate the impact this study would have upon them individually as they dissect each verse. Paul's own personal experience, and description of Christ's servanthood and humility, for our sake, affected all of them. The letter Peter Hanscamp sent them concerning the massacre of Christians in Nigeria, and especially the CBSI leader who refused to deny Christ and died also ,impacted them as they contemplated themselves in a similar situation. They concluded that the Lord would give them all the courage to stand for Christ, whatever the threat. After all, Heaven is our home!!

The Teaching Leader, Pat, stopped in the middle of preparing one lecture with a heartfelt and tearful prayer of thanks to our Lord, who exchanged His Glory in Heaven for a humiliating and painful death for our sake! His "single" and "submissive mind" to finish the work the Father had given Him to do was magnified not only for Pat, but for each of the beautiful women who come each week to study the Word and pray together.

They are looking forward to the blessing they will have studying Colossians when they have finished Philippians.

Darwin - Northern Territory

The ladies of the new Darwin women's class are loving studying the Book of Mark - a walk with the Lord written for Gentiles, with plenty of action! They have found it to be a great book to establish a new Bible Study, especially for those ladies who are new to studying the Bible. They have about 23 ladies registered, with 15-20 attending each week. The class is made up of women from a variety of ages and nationalities, as Darwin is very multicultural and with people of varied professional backgrounds.

One leader was losing her voice and thinking of not coming but her husband insisted she come because he looked forward to her coming home and telling him about the lesson! He did not want to miss out!!

This is a bit of a trend it seems. All along one woman has asked her husband for assistance with her questions and he loves to do the study with her. He is jealous that there is not a study for him. Please pray for a study for these men who are so hungry for God's Word!

The leaders have had great joy in seeing the spiritual growth in the ladies, and have been encouraged by their positive feedback.

They ask that you pray for their perseverance during the oppressing humdity of the wet season, testing their concentration and dedication!

Hobart -Tasmania

Tasmania is the island-state below the eastern side of Australia, and Hobart is it's capital city. Hobart has a population of 210,000, and is continuing to grow by 2000 to 3000 per year.

Day Women's Class

Hobart's day women's class has existed in various forms since about 1998,and is currently made up of 23 ladies, who are mostly mature Christians who have a desire to study God's Word and meet with believers from other churches. It also has a preschool program for the seven children who attend.

They have just finished the Daniel study, and are currently being blessed by the study of Colossians. Their Teaching Leader, Kathryn, has been doing the Daniel study at home with her kids. After a couple of weeks her son said that he enjoyed reading his Bible much more after doing the studies. She thinks he's learning to look into it, and not over it. They all seem to enjoy it, even though it's hard to get them to discipline themselves to do the questions. Even her ten year old daughter has lots of good answers!

Now isn't that an inspiration and a challenge to the rest of us to involve our families more in what we are studying!

Their most urgent prayer request is for people to be willing to be committed to leadership, as most ladies are already busy in their own churches.

Midway Point Mixed Evening Group

Little Tassie has grown over the last few weeks as far as CBSI is concerned! A group of eight adults and Kathryn's three children have just completed the If You Will Pray studies and are now studying Colossians. Though it is only a small group, let's pray that the Lord will establish it with strong foundations and bring in the people He has prepared to study His Word and grow together. Pray for Andrew and Terry as they share the Teaching Leader responsibilities until the end of the course - in particular, that they will be able to adapt to this new (CBSI's) way of preparing a message. Pray for guidance in the new year as to who takes on what role longer term

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PHILIPPINES

MANILA
There has been a wonderful development in Manila, where Pinand her "Angels" fromthe existing CBSI women's class have started a class at the Correctional Institute for Women! They meet on Mondays, started last July, began with 50 ladies, now have 85, & are still growing! Tina, the Area Co-ordinator for Hongkong and Taiwan, says: "We are sorely lacking Small Group Leaders and Asst. Teachers and need prayers for God to raise more ladies to make this commitment. The lessons are conducted in our national language - Tagalog. That's why it's a little more difficult for the ladies to accept the challenge. We also need prayers for a bigger location. The hall assigned to them is too small. Either they move them to a bigger location or we split the group into two. But if we do that, we need more leaders and teachers! We need God to give us the wisdom to will solve this situation.. Please pray with us."

Can you imagine what an impact the Word of God can have on these women while they are imprisoned, but even more, when they are released?! Please pray for Pin, Rose and the ‘Angels’ as they lead this class. There is also a story about the min the Nov-Dec "Global Report."

The existing CBSI group is the Women of Wisdom (WOW) ladies group, who started in 2004, are led by Tina, meet on Wednesdays& have about 60 ladies attending each week. They meet at the Word Community Church,and their Leaders' Council is composed of ladies from various churches, just as their attendees are. They lift prayers of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness in keeping their group continually growing with new students each year. They are presently studying the Book of Romans - Paul's masterpiece - but also highly theological. They have seen notable advances in the ladies' lives. God is alive in their lives, slowly transforming hearts and minds. Praise God!

"Thanks so much for being our prayer partners. You are such a blessing! We praise God for you!! God is amazing! Glory be to Him!" -Tina
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CHINA

God's plans are amazing! One of the ladies of Manila's WOW-CBSI class (see above), who is married to a diplomat, has relocated to Chonqing, China. She started a CBSI class there with four ladies, two from Singapore and two from the Philippines. All teachers. Please pray with us that these ladies will commit their time to CBSI and that in time they will grow deeper in the knowledge of God and His Word and also grow in number.
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KOREA

A new class has started in Korea in Korean- the first one for nine years! Praise the Lord!
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SINGAPORE

At the AGM in March 2009 it was reported that God had blessed eastern Singapore (KPC class) with the addition of two Children's, three Mens and four Ladies groups! A total registration of 154! Wow! There are already other classes in central Singapore (Central class - Ladies and Preschoolers; LPPC class- Mens, Ladies and Youth) and northern Singapore (Woodlands class - Ladies and Helpers). Since then a new class has started at the Praise Fellowship church! (More on that in the next update).

In the November 2008 newsletter from Singapore there were many accounts from class members of how much the study of God's Word through CBSI had brought them closer to the Lord and each other, helped them through difficult times, and much much more. Just a few of them are included below. You will find them both encouraging and challenging!

• "CBSI is the first bible study that I have attended and to be honest I came to CBSI without planning to attend regularly. I was not even attending church regularly at the time. It is true that I wanted to get closer to God and I called myself a Christian but I did not even know that I did not know what that meant at the time. It was only after going to CBSI that I started to spend the time and effort to reflect on the word of God. New insights and understanding came to me that I never expected. Now, not only do I look forward to CBSI but I feel like I gain more strength in Christ each time I attend. If I am unable to attend, I feel like it is a missed opportunity to grow closer to God. I pray... and attend church much more often as well.
• 
  "Another amazing insight from CBSI is the power of our small group fellowship. Through the power of prayer, we have each supported one another's lives in ways that I did not know possible before. At one meeting, I was feeling particularly scared and weak. I barely felt courage enough to show up, but in leaning on God I did. When one of my small group members saw my painful countenance and asked whether I needed prayer, I could not hold back the tears. Before I could say anything else, my whole group surrounded me and began praying for me, holding my hand and hugging me. Many even cried with me. They did not even know what my problem was and it did not matter. They shared my pain. I was surrounded by the immense love of my group and I knew immediately that it was the love of God coming to me through them.
• 
  "I was so intensely moved by this day that it has stayed with me ever since. I will always think back to that experience with a sense of peace and security about God's great love. Always present and truly immense. Thank you God for bringing those in my life especially my small group leader who have helped me to know you more. She is my ambassador for Christ. She brought me to CBSI and has encouraged me in just the way I needed to help my growth. I am eager to continue with CBSI and maintain an open wonderment about what will come from my learning next year."
• 
  "I have learned much, especially the application aspects. It is so vital to be in the circle among Christians and be in the Word. CBSI has enabled me to walk closer to God and to stay on track in my life and Christ."
• 
  "A systematic way of studying the word Experienced that when I am weak, He is strong. My dependence is on Him and not my ability. He has proved to be strong indeed!"
• 
  "What I enjoy most besides studying God's Word, is the fellowship we had in the small group, the warmth and love of our small group leader."
• 
  "Felt very welcomed and special right from the beginning - more than just a Bible study."
• 
  "Since I first visited CBSI a year and a half ago, it has been my priority. It reminds me who God is and keeps me on the right track of spiritual growth with His Word. That's why I schedule my days around it. Thank God for calling me to this wonderful opportunity to know Him better."
• 
  "The study of Romans for CBSI has given me the urge to share the gospel with my non-Christian friends, after seeing how Paul go all out to spread the gospel to even people who would persecute him, it really encouraged me to start by speaking to those close ones around me first."
• 
  "I thank God for leading me to CBSI. I was looking for a bible study group for 3 years, God answered my prayer through CBSI. I learn to be discipline in CBSI, doing my home work and praying for all the ladies in the group. I saw the power of prayer when God answered our prayers. CBSI has enriched my prayer life and brought me closer to God as I apply what I learn in CBSI."

David Soon, Singapore's National Coordinator, has asked us to pray for: God to send or raise a new teaching leader for the new Udon Thani class in Thailand; for class members to rely on God's strength to transform their lives when His Word is revealed to them through the lessons; and wisdom, strength & availability for all class leaders in their various roles.
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Thailand

CALEBS IN THAILAND

How time flies! In the last update of this site Rich and Betsy Castle, CBSI's Calebs to Thailand, had just had their first week in a four week stay in Thailand. As this next update is prepared they are back there for their sixth visit, from November 3rd!
Please pray for: safe, problem-free travel; continued good health; God’s empowerment during the CBSI presentations; prayer groups in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Udon Thani, and Chiang Rai to grow, identify leaders, and become official classes; people to review Thai translations for usability and cultural relevance; effective leadership training for new classes; and open hearts and minds to receive God’s Word!
On their last visit, Rich and Betsy had a busy but fruitful time visiting Bangkok, Udon Thani (northern Thailand) and Chiang Mai. They were kept busy making new contacts for CBSI, meeting those wonderful people who are translating CBSI studies, training leaders for new classes, and brainstorming some more ideas about how to establish CBSI in the Thai language. They thoroughly enjoyed attending church services in Thai and English, where they felt the love and fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ very strongly. God's provision and protection each step of the way was awesome! This trip was another amazing testimony of God’s faithfulness and love—and His encouragement to spread the Word through CBSI!

One piece of exciting news is that Dr. Seree Lorgunpai, the director of the Thailand Bible Society (TBS), offered to put a link on the TBS website about CBSI, including our email and a download of our Thai brochure and the first introductory lesson, "If You Will Pray" (IYWP). This is all in Thai, and we pray it might be a major way for us to spread the good news of CBSI in Thailand. If you want to practice your Thai, you can go to www.thaibible.or.th
They presented CBSI to the regional manager of World Vision who has been leading the IYWP study already at his Free Methodist church in Bangkok. Although not a pastor himself, this godly man was a great encouragement to Rich and Betsy with his enthusiasm for Bible study. He told them about a dream he had several years ago about Nehemiah, the subject of the IYWP study! When he heard about that study from Pastor Pat after Rich and Betsy's visit in March, he knew it was a word from the Lord to begin that study in his church! Please pray for Weerapong’s small group, who are doing the IYWP study now.

In Udon Thani they had two training days for the new CBSI class there. They wrote:"What a joy it was to do this training and commission the new class as the first official mixed (men & women) class in Thailand! The new class leaders hail from Thailand, Philippines, Norway, and the US! As part of the training Rich led the small group discussion for their last lesson of Ephesians, and Betsy did the lecture." The next afternoon theyhad great joy in seeingthe first "official" class, coming together to study God's Word in Galatians!

While in Udon Thani, Rich and Betsy received an incredible praise report from a young man whom they had presented CBSI to in March! They wrote: "Jason is an American missionary who speaks Thai, and he has been doing the "If You Will Pray" study (the first exploratory CBSI study of Nehemiah) as leadership training with a Thai church about 1.5 hours east of Udon Thani. He reported that there was great excitement by the 25 or so (men and women age 17-72) who did the study with him, and he is hopeful that this group will want to continue in CBSI and be trained when we return in November! He plans to do this same study with another church in another village. This is a great encouragement to us as many Thais have told us that CBSI will be a hard sell in the Thai language because of cultural issues. We pray that this seed will grow and spread throughout Thailand!"

In Chiang Mai, where there are already two CBSI classes, Rich and Betsy renewed friendships and contacts, made new ones, found another translator for CBSI studies, and collected 2500CBSI brochures that a local company had printed in Thai. With the help of key people provided by God, they mailed some of these brochures to the 658Thai churches and Christian organizations in Bangkok and suburbs, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Udon Thani - the cities in which Rich and Betsy are working so far! Please pray for these brochures to reach Thai Christians who will want to study the Word through CBSI.
Rich and Betsy thank you all again for all your prayers, care, financial support, and interest in spreading God’s Word through CBSI. They love what they are doing and feel strongly the Lord’s calling and blessing.
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Recent Updates: Central / Central - Eastern Europe

Armenia

Praise: Praise God for the faithfulness of all the people involved in the ministry in Armenia, both local, Hripsime Kirakosyian, and Calebs Donna and Margaret.

Prayer: For the encouragement of the national leadership and the class leaders: and that the local leadership would find ideas and ways to support the ministry with the local resources.  

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Bulgaria

Praise: For the spirit of hope and encouragement of Ljupcho Kolevsky, the new member of the National Leadership team, in setting up strategy and plans for the next year to come.   

Prayer: For a diligent preparation of the National Leadership Conference to be held in May 18-19, and for the availability of the class leader to participate. Additional Information: The CBSI Bulgaria web site is in the final preparation. It should be on the net in May.

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Czech Republic

Praise: Praise God for the dedication and availability of National Leader, Stanislav Stebel, who has declared he is going to set aside more time to develop and support the classes in Czech Republic.

Prayer: For the new group started in March in Komorny Lhota, that both the class and the leadership will experience the power of the Word as they go for the first time through the study.

Additional Information: The translation of the Galatians course has just been finished.

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Hungary

Prayer: Pray for the open doors and available leaders to consider the CBSI program.
Pray for Calebs for this country. It is a great need.

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Lithuania

Praise: Praise God for the new Caleb to Lithuania, Marietta Smith.

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Poland

Praise: Praise God for the new group in Wroclaw led by Stanislaw Blank.

Prayer: Pray for the great opportunity of CBSI, to be partnered with other organizations in Poland, in a big revival movement. The CBSI program could make a difference in the small group approach of the evangelism and discipleship.

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Romania

Praise: Praise God for a new (fairly large -120 members) class that started in Ploiesti. This class is led by the former National Director of CBS-Romania (Ieremia Rusu), and could become a great model class for the entire country.

Prayer: For opportunities and ability of the National Director Eliezer Macesaru to find and develop ways to raise more support from within Romania. Additional Information: The CBS-Romania web site will also have an English page.

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Russia

Praise: Praise God for the new Church based class in Viborg.

Prayer: For the new translation of the course Pentateuch both for the adults and children program.    

Additional Information: TWR (Trans World Radio) put on air, on monthly basis, a program of powerful and life changing testimonies of CBSI people. This will be heard all over the Russia and serve as an excellent means of promotion.

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Slovakia

Slovakia November 2009:

The groups started three years ago by the work of the CBSI leader in Czech Republic who knew a lot of Christian leaders in Slovakia and introduced to them the CBSI concept, the program, the materials and train them. Some of the groups use now the materials in the Czech language. Some are using the Slovak language

There are 6 groups as shown in the following list:
-2 groups in Levice led by a leader from the Christian Brother (20 people) study James (using Czech)
-1 group in Kosice led by a leader from the Brethren (15 people) studyPentateuch
-1 group in Ruzomberok led by a leader from the Baptist (15 people) study Luke
-1 pilot group in Bratislava led by a leader from Brethren (10 people) study 1 John
-1 pilot group in Bratislava led by a leader from the Baptist (12 people) study Ephesians
Please pray for the commitment of the leaders of the groups and that those groups could become a model to be followed for the believers and Churches around them.

The materials we have in the Slovak language are in the editing process. We have finished and ready to be used 1 John, Deuteronomy, Ephesians and God's Amazing Book. Now it is in the process of translation and editing (almost finished) the Gospel of John. The plan for the translation for this year is to continue with the course Pentateuch. The materials are one of the main concerns for the ministry in Slovakia. Without them we couldn’t start and perform the ministry.

We do have a good translation team in Czech Republic. We explore the possibility to translate the materials in Slovakia. Please pray that we will be able to finances the project. A 6 week course will cost us approximately $600, and a 30 week course about $3000.

Concerning the development, we are working to produce a presentation brochure in Slovak, to be used for introducing the CBSI program to the pastors and Christian leaders. There are not many Bible study programs translated into the language, and the need of such program is tremendous.We meetsome leaders in Slovakia that asked me to send them the materials. At this moment our plan is to “aggressively” introduce and promote the CBSI materials. We have enough materials to cover two years of study (and of course extra provision for the ones willing to use the Czech materials). Together with Stanislav we planned to visit some of the classes and also share the CBSI with some of the denominational key leaders in Bratislava. There is a discussion to introduce and promote the CBSI program to the students of the Interdenominational Theological School in Bratislava.

Please pray that we could be able to share and offer to the Slovaks this excellent program that we strongly believe it could change the lives of many by the simple fact of studying the Word of the Living God.

Pray that leaders will understand the power of the CBS program and support it for the churches of their denominations.

Pray that the students of the Theological School will take and experience CBS back to their own Churches.

Concerning the political and economical situation, the atmosphere it is as in generally across the whole Europe. One of the heavy pressures after Slovakia joined the European Union is of course economical. A lot of Christian leaders are challenged between looking for an extra job to provide for their families and serve the Lord and the Church giving more of their time.

Please pray that the Lord will raise faithful workers for His harvest.

Concerning the Church and spiritual situation. Though Slovakia is 60,3% Roman Catholic, 4,1% Orthodox, and 8,4% Protestant, (the rest of 27,2% mostly atheists) the Word of God it is not a priority for the Christian people. Even the Evangelical churches are not Biblically oriented. 

So, please pray that the Christians in general and their leaders in particular, would have a hunger for the Word of God that could have an eternal impact for their lives.

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Ukraine

Praise: Praise God for the two multicultural groups in Kiev, one in Chinese and another in English. Both seem to be just as excited about studying the Word of God in their own language.

Prayer: Pray for Patty Smith as she is working on introducing CBSI program to many Ukrainian leaders and especially for wisdom as she is looking to identify and train one person or more to take on the responsibilities at the national level.

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Recent Updates: Middle East

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None presently.

Recent Updates: North & Central America and The Caribbean

 

10/23/09

Guatemala

Shirley Adams (Area-Regional Director NCAC) and Linda Baber (Area Director C&Y Ministry) are travelling to Guatemala in late November to train leaders for the International Children & Youth Ministry.

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Recent Updates: South America

South America Newsletter - JUNE 2010

South America Newsletter - April 2010

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Recent Updates: Western Europe

As of 5/10/2010:

There is a Western Europe Regional Servants Team meeting planned for June 8, 2010 in the United Kingdom.

 

France:  There have been several new Calebs to France trained.

Germany:  Plans are being laid for a “national convocation” in Germany in September 2010.

Italy:  CBSI studies are being translated into Italian and it seems that we cannot translate fast enough for demand!  It’s an exciting problem to have this growth that is happening in this country. We pray for leaders to be raised up to create new classes and for those potential Italians who would come to the classes.

Netherlands:  The Netherlands now has CBSI materials in Braille! The ministry is now able to outreach to the blind. CBSI has also formed a children’s program as well as a youth program. We praise the Lord for these two groups. We continue to pray for their growth and the workers who minister to these groups with CBSI materials.

Norway:  The leadership is working hard in this country to continue the ministry. There are translators in place to bring the studies to the people in their own language.

United Kingdom:  A group of Chinese in the UK are using CBSI studies in their own language. Another group  of Spanish are also using CBSI studies in their own languages. We hope to be able to supply these groups of people with studies in their own languages.

 

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