GC Women's Ministries Newsletter Calendar & Prayer Request
APRIL 2008
Women's Challenge Issues—Illiteracy
If They Can't Read, They Can't Read the Bible
- In the world today there are over one billion adults who cannot read. Over 650,000 of that number are women.
- The world population is over 6 billion. The complete Bible is now available to 90% of these people in their mother tongue. Yet 45-55% of these people cannot read. Non-readers comprise the vast majority of the peoples yet to be reached with the Gospel.
- Non-readers are captive: they cannot fill out job applications; they cannot open a checking account; they cannot use a phone book; they cannot read any Christian literature or the Bible.
- Literacy Volunteers of America has defined a literate person as one who is able to use printed and written information to function in society, achieve her goals, and develop her knowledge and potential. This may apply to a second language as well—the language of commerce.
- Where 50% or more of the population cannot read, teaching literacy is the best way to plant churches.
How to get involved. What the church can do:
- Create a literacy awareness in your congregation
- Assess what type of program is still needed
- Make a financial contribution to a literacy program
- Set up a program
- Provide tutoring space in your church
- Become a tutor
- Direct a program
- Provide baby sitting service during the tutoring session
- Give a gift of reading materials
- Get involved in your community’s education system
- Be knowledgeable about your local board of education
- Advocate for equal education for all
Source: If They Can’t Read – GCWM Mentoring Brochures
Prayer Corner
- Women who don't know how to read
- Raquel Arrais travel to EUD
- Heather-Dawn Small travel to NA
Calendar
- April 7—World Health Day. World Health Day this year focuses to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. More information: www.who.int
- May 31— Scholarship applications due to GCWM
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