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information and application form
1 INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORM About the Bible Society United Bible Societies • Operating since 1804. • Made up of 146 national Bible Societies operating in over 200 countries and territories. Together, they are the biggest translator, publisher and distributor of the Bible in the world. • Publish and distribute the Bible in over 2000 languages. • 4 million Bibles published and distributed in China each year. • Active in literacy training, HIV and AIDS prevention and disaster relief. • Working with all Christian Churches and many international non-governmental organisations. • For more information about the United Bible Societies, visit www.biblesociety.org. Bible Society Australia (BSA) Non-profit organisation. Seeks to help people of all ages engage with the Bible. Devoted to seeing lives transformed by real encounters with the Bible. Advocates the Bible’s credibility & trustworthiness in contemporary life. Works with many different groups and churches all over the world to get the Word of God to people in written, audio and visual forms. • Raises money to translate the Bible into people’s own language, to teach people to read the Bible, and to give Bibles away . • Partnered with SU Qld, Red Frogs, Youth Alive, and others. • For more information about Bible Society Australia, visit www.biblesociety.org.au. • • • • • 3 Your Commitment as a GodSpeak Advocate As a GodSpeak Advocate (aged 18-29), you commit to volunteer with Bible Society Australia for 12 months while you work or study. You select an overseas Bible literacy, translation or distribution project to advocate and raise $10,000 for, and to visit in person for approximately 1 month. With your basis for support beginning in your home church, you are then connected and sent out to other churches in your local area to speak about the Bible-based project you have chosen to advocate for. You host events and attend conferences in your state to reach your $10,000 fundraising target, 100% of which goes directly to the project country. When you return from visiting the project country you report back on your findings and experiences through continued deputation in churches, and promotion through personal connections, social media, and other events. The hope is that past advocates will continue to inspire young Australians to live out their faith, and that you will continue to be a voice for God’s work in the country you have supported over the last 12 months. Bible Society Australia’s Commitment BSA is committed to walking the journey with GodSpeak Advocates throughout their 12-month voluntary period and beyond. Beginning with the application and interview process, BSA hand-picks a maximum of twelve GodSpeak Advocates each year. BSA connects each advocate to churches in their local area, and practically assists them where possible as they visit churches and host events for fundraising. BSA then pays for each advocate to go overseas to visit their chosen project in person. Overseas Projects 2014 Below is a summary of Bible society projects that GodSpeak Advocates may support and visit in 2014. Please be prayerful about where God may be leading you. If there is a country not listed below, let us know and we will see what opportunities there are in that location with the Bible Society and partnerships. China Bible distribution and literacy project Christianity in China is growing at a phenomenal rate. With this rapid growth comes an urgent need for Bibles, particularly in the poorest rural areas where Christians can’t afford to buy a Bible. In some villages, as many as ten or more Church members are sharing one Bible between them. Amity Press (APC) has permission from China’s government to print up to one million Bibles each month. Illiterate villagers are now engaging with God’s Word through Scripture literacy classes. Children in orphanages and Sunday schools are being given Bibles, and church ministers and pastors are receiving theological resources, enabling them to understand and teach the Bible accurately. Pakistan Bible literacy project The Bible Society believes that an effective ministry of Scripture publishing and distribution is dependent on the majority of its audiences being literate. To specifically address this issue, the Bible Society is seeking to partner with churches in Pakistan to offer literacy trainings and Scriptures to disadvantaged Christian women in the country. The aim this year is to assist the Church with literacy program to establish and to operate 300 new literacy classes (with approximately 6,000 new students) among women. Scriptures portions for new readers will also be made available to students after the completion of the women literacy courses. This will not only give them a chance to improve their reading skills, but also to read and interact with the Word of God. Cambodia Bible literacy project Cambodia is still recovering from years of war, which left not only millions of people dead or injured, but a country devoid of infrastructure. Many Cambodians today are unable to go to school because of poverty or isolation. It is estimated that 1 in 4 Cambodians cannot read or write. Bible Society is committed to serving the people of Cambodia through our biblical literacy programme. Literacy classes enable Cambodians to improve their reading skills and to interact with the Word of God. While the cases are streamed to meet students’ needs and experience, all students work to an approved textbook that uses Bible portions to teach the Good News. Upon graduation, Bible Society provides all students with a New Testament. Bible Society is partnering with local churches to establish 550 literacy classes in Cambodia for 2014. Papua New Guinea Bible prison ministry and literacy project This project addresses rehabilitation and spiritual needs of prisoners by training selected prisoners to undergo Bible training to become literacy teachers who conduct literacy classes within the prisons, and with the community members from the vicinity of the prisons. These prisoners will also be assisted/encouraged to initiate Bible literacy training in their home communities upon their release from prison. This will have a positive impact on their families their communities and the society as a whole. South Africa Bible prison ministry and literacy project South Africa has the world’s highest number of prisoners (approx 190,000) - outranking countries with up to nearly five times their population and is the highest number of prisoners in South. Bible Society is partnering with World Hope ministries to provide a 16-week Biblical disciple course to inmates, which upon completion can complete a secondary course of 26 weeks, The demand for the Discipleship continues and through this project, Bible Society will continue to meet the thirst for Bibles through providing free Bibles to those who complete the first 16 week Bible Discipleship programme. South America Bible distribution projects Bible Society Brazil seeks to reach 1,2 million of those who will be interested in sports during the global sports events with the biblical message. Bible Society is planning to distribute the Gospel of John that will widely be used during the 2014 Soccer World Cup. All the children in Nicaragua who have cancer are treated in the Department of Hematology-Oncology of Manuel de Jesus Rivera "La Mascota". The Hospital, with very limited resources, provides free meals to children who stay in the hospital to receive their treatment. However, these meals does not provide the balanced diet the children need to recover their strength from the treatment, withstand the side effects that it causes, and deal with cancer. To support our spiritual labour, Bible Society will complete the diet of children who need to stay in the hospital to continue with their treatment against cancer. We will hand out 18,660 free illustrated Bibles to children; 18,660 Giant Letter Bibles to their families; and 1,428 Bibles to pastors, volunteers, and the medical team. They will participate in devotionals to strengthen their faith and trust in God, while also learning how to use the Bible so they may come to know the Lord Jesus. Rwanda Bible literacy project Rwanda is still deeply scarred by the genocide of 1994. Fear and hatred between the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups resulted in the brutal killing of one million Rwandans. Racial division, widespread poverty and low literacy levels are just part of the challenge facing the nation. Learning to live again as one people is vital to Rwanda, but so is “learning” to begin with. Almost half the population cannot read or write; more than a quarter of school-aged children do not attend school at all, and only 37 per cent go on to secondary school. The Bible Society is tackling these devastating statistics at two levels: through basic Bible-based literacy programs, as well as advanced literacy training of teachers and pastors, focused on reconciliation. These programs are reaching Rwandans from all walks of life, including children and street people. 248 primary school teachers have been trained, and they in turn have trained more than 400 of their peers. Across the country, people are learning to read and write, while learning how to forgive and reconcile with others. Applying to become a GodSpeak Advocate Applicants are required to complete all the forms below and to provide at least two references – including one pastor’s reference – able to comment on their character and experience. These are to be filled out and sent back to Bible Society Australia: GPO Box 375 North Ryde 1670. 6 GodSpeak Advocate Application Form Please return to GPO Qld 1670. 4001. GPOBox Box9874 375 Brisbane North Ryde Full name: __________________________________________________________________________ Date of birth: ______/______/______ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: ______________________________ Postcode:_______________________ Contact number: ____________________________________________________________________ 1. In 500 words or less, tell us your testimony. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 7 ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What experience have you had in studying the Bible? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Give us an example of how the Bible has impacted your life. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 8 4. What ministry and / or mission experience have you had (e.g. short-term mission trip, youth leader)? Please explain what was involved. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What is it about the Bible Society that excites you? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Share three outcomes you would like to influence by being a GodSpeak Advocate. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 7. What’s one thing you would do to help young people engage with the Bible? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 9 8. Which Bible Society project would you choose to support and why? a. Please number your preferences (‘1’ being your first preference): q South Africa qChina China Lebanon q South America qMozambique Pakistan q Rwanda qRwanda Cambodia South America q Other________________________ qOther:_______________________________________________________ Papua New Guinea __ * If there is a specific country God is calling you to, please tick ‘other’ and list the country. We will see what Bible Society projects may be available there. b. Please explain why you chose ‘1’ as your first preference above: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 9. What are three things you would do to raise funds for an overseas project? 1. _________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 10. In what ways do you think becoming a GodSpeak Advocate will challenge you? What are your greatest concerns? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 10 ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Each applicant is required to provide at least two references – including a pastor’s reference – able to comment on your character and experience. Please see reference forms below. Thank you for applying to become a GodSpeak Advocate! 11 Referee Form 1 GPOBox Box9874 375 North Ryde Please return to GPO Brisbane Qld1670. 4001 with your application. *Applicants, please show referees the cover letter and any additional information, which may help them understand what the program is about. Applicant’s full name: ________________________________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________ City: _____________________ Postcode:____________________ Contact number: ____________________________________________________________________ Referee’s full name: __________________________________________________________________ Relationship to applicant: _____________________________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________ Contact number:_____________________________________________________________________ Name of church:_____________________________________________________________________ Current role in church (for pastors):_____________________________________________________ 1. How do you know the applicant and for how long have you known them? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What gifts has God given them that you believe makes them suitable to be a GodSpeak Advocate? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 12 3. What ministry areas have you seen them involved in that would mean they are capable of the following: a. Communicating a clear message in front of a group of people or church. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ b. Involved in an overseas mission context. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ c. Ability to be motivated to achieve clear outcomes. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ d. Ability to unpack a passage of Scripture for others. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 13 4. What do you believe would be the applicants main challenges with being involved in this GodSpeak Advocate program? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Other comments: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for taking the time to complete this reference! 14 Referee Form 2 Please return to GPO Brisbane Qld1670. 4001 with your application. GPOBox Box9874 375 North Ryde *Applicants, please show referees the cover letter and any additional information, which may help them understand what the program is about. Applicant’s full name: ________________________________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________ City: _____________________ Postcode:____________________ Contact number: ____________________________________________________________________ Referee’s full name: __________________________________________________________________ Relationship to applicant: _____________________________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________ Contact number:_____________________________________________________________________ Name of church:_____________________________________________________________________ Current role in church (for pastors):_____________________________________________________ 1. How do you know the applicant and for how long have you known them? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What gifts has God given them that you believe makes them suitable to be a GodSpeak Advocate? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 12 3. What ministry areas have you seen them involved in that would mean they are capable of the following: a. Communicating a clear message in front of a group of people or church. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ b. Involved in an overseas mission context. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ c. Ability to be motivated to achieve clear outcomes. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ d. Ability to unpack a passage of Scripture for others. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 13 4. What do you believe would be the applicants main challenges with being involved in this GodSpeak Advocate program? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Other comments: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for taking the time to complete this reference!
