A quiet revolution is taking place...
South Africa is a nation that has undergone significant change in recent years. One change that has largely gone unnoticed has been the removal of Bible reading and prayer from public schools following the end of the Apartheid era. This has contributed to a rapid decline in discipline and an increase in crime, immoral behaviour and substance abuse especially amongst 12 to 17 year olds.
 
Based on the success of a Project Philip program run by Bible League in Christian schools, the governments of North West and Eastern Cape Provinces approached Bible League to run a similar program in their public schools, especially in the poorer townships and villages, to help address this growing problem.
 
But how effective has the program been?
Since February this year, three high schools and two primary schools have run the Bible League program which uses the Project Philip evangelistic and discipleship Bible study booklets “How to begin with God” and “The Maturing Christian”. On completion, each student receives a certificate and either a New Testament or full Bible. In each school, facilitators are trained by Bible League to run the program.
 
Mrs Pilusa, teacher at Jules High School and facilitator of the program, shared: ‘‘We are very happy to have the program in our school. Since the students went through the program there has been a noticeable change in their behaviour and conduct. We wish we could do this program every year’.

 
The Principal of the Brandwag Primary School, where many students come from poor farming communities and have never been to a Church, on reflection said that 'If only one child is won for Jesus, this is a huge success!'
 
As word spread, Bible League has been inundated with urgent requests from public schools for the program. Sadly, due to limited funds, most of these requests at present cannot be met.
 
A teacher from the Klipgat Primary School to the north of Pretoria expressed powerfully the great need for the Gospel in South African Public Schools when she wrote ‘This school is in a poverty stricken area. The Government provides the students with meals at lunch breaks but there is a greater spiritual hunger as none of the students have Bibles and are growing up without the knowledge of God. Muslims are taking advantage of this and are distributing copies of the Quran. We are desperately in need of your program that will help the students to understand the Bible. Our doors are open to the Bible League as we want to see our 450 students in this school have their own Bible’.
 
In 2012, Bible League in South Africa is planning to reach 28,000 students through Project Philip evangelistic and discipleship Bible studies and provide them with a New Testament or full Bible. Many more students could be reached with this life changing program if more funds were available. It costs as little as $5 to provide a student with a study booklet and a Bible.

The challenge is great but so too are the opportunities. Imagine the impact of such a small investment in the life of a student, their family and ultimately the future of South Africa.

Will you help us bring the light of the Gospel to the hearts of young South Africans? Your prayer and financial support will help make this a reality. Thank you for joining with us in this quiet revolution in South African Public Schools.
 

Please select from 'South African Public Schools' from the allocation drop down.