For years in Angola, the Bible was so scarce that it was often shared from hand to hand. We know of one case where four pastors treasured and shared one Bible for several years. The first pastor studied it and passed it to the next pastor who took it home to spend a few hours memorizing the Word. He then passed along the same Bible to another pastor who later passed it on to the fourth pastor. And the rotation began again.

Four pastors sharing one Bible!

Unfortunately, this was not unusual, especially during the years of warfare in Angola and the breakdown of the society at large. For many agonizing years, Angola fought for independence from colonial rule; then brother fought brother in a brutal civil war. Generations were born and died during the 41 years of fighting that left factories in ruins, farmland sterile, schools empty and people impoverished.

As the years of strife and war-time scarcity dragged on, a Bible was a precious treasure to church leaders who wanted to grow in their faith and provide healthy spiritual oversight to their congregations.

The four pastors continued to share the same Bible, which became increasingly fragile. Finally, the frayed book fell apart!

It is almost impossible to imagine their joy when a negotiated national peace arrived, which allowed resources to enter the country, and each pastor finally received their own Bible.

During the war—despite inhumane conditions—Assemblies of God churches thrived and multiplied. Hundreds of churches sprang up all across the country as thousands of men and women found peace in Jesus Christ through a Spirit-led revival. Hearts were united in love and purpose that violence could not intimidate.

But today, even in peace, national poverty and political bureaucracy still limit

access to quality study Bibles. Some pastors continue to share hand-me-down, worn-out
Bibles. Many of these Bibles do not have study helps, the print is small, and the binding reflects poor quality.

The Assemblies of God churches of Angola are close to our hearts. Today, we have key missionary educators serving in this nation who have sacrificed much in order to raise up a new generation of church leadership to provide healthy stability and vision for continued growth in the future.

Hundreds of new students are being trained in key Bible schools in strategic areas of the country. Africa’s Hope has invested in the establishment of these campuses and continues to assist with the translation of curriculum into Portuguese.

Now that meaningful momentum is occurring in Angola, we recognize the great need to be proactive and invest generously in providing FireBibles.

The FireBible is a study Bible with a wealth of notes and articles to enrich these pastors who may have no access to Bible research materials. These are not ordinary FireBibles. They are bound with durable, long-lasting covers.

We want to provide hundreds of FireBibles for students as they graduate from these training programs in Angola and thousands more for pastors and lay leaders in already established churches throughout the country.

As a result, we are taking the first step to ensure that students of our Bible schools receive a FireBible before or at graduation. Would you help us give a FireBible to these dear students as they seek to fulfill God’s call on their lives and better lead their people to grow in Word and deed?

For $38 we can hand a Portuguese FireBible to a Bible school student as he or she graduates. Or, for $190, we can send five pastors back to their churches with the greatest treasure they may ever receive.

How many of these ministry students in Angola would you like to help? Thank you in advance for your generosity! Let’s make a difference as we partner together in profound way.

As is spoken in Portuguese, Que o Senhor te abençoe abundantemente! (May the Lord bless abundantly!)

Yours for an increasingly redeemed Africa,

 

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