Interact 1-2025 single pages

GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE

ISSUE 1, 2025

INTeRACT

Hands and Hearts Offering spiritual hope to Ukrainians

Calm in the Chaos Making the Bible accessible through Little Books

Lifewords in Action How your giving fuels our ministry

CONTENTS 04 08 10 12 14 Hands and Hearts Offering spiritual hope to Ukrainians

News

The latest news from the Lifewords global family

Calm in the Chaos

Making the Bible accessible through Little Books

Lifewords in Action

How your giving fuels our ministry

Get Involved

Lifewords and you

Issue 89 / 1–2025 Editorial team Jess Bee Kris Calver Steve Bassett

Lifewords is the operating name of Scripture Gift Mission (Inc), registered charity in England and Wales, 219055

Photographs Lifewords unless otherwise stated

Registered office 1A The Chandlery, 50 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7QY

Cover photograph Good Works Mission Design S2 design and advertising Ltd Print Yeomans Creative

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Interact is free, available three times a year from your nearest member of the Lifewords global family of organisations (see page 15).

WELCOME I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 NLT At the heart of what we do at Lifewords is a passion to see people everywhere engage with the life-changing words of the Bible. It’s a huge vision, but one that is worked out as we partner with others around the world – individuals, communities, churches, and organisations who share good news through connecting with others, building relationships, and offering practical support and spiritual insight. These partnerships are crucial to the work we are doing.

In this issue of Interact, you can read about how we are partnering with the Good Centre in Poland to offer life words to Ukrainians as they deal with the fallout of the war, and how we are resourcing a group in Bath to help people who are homeless and vulnerable engage with the Bible and explore faith.

You can also read about how your partnership with us is key to everything that goes on at Lifewords, from the beginnings of a new project to getting God’s Word into the hands of others.

As ever, we are grateful for your support and partnership that enables us in turn to support and partner with others.

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Hands and Hearts “The words caught my attention; they were words of hope, encouragement, and comfort. This inspired me to start reading the Bible. Before, I had never taken this book seriously, but I think it is precisely in moments of uncertainty and fear that people feel the need for something greater.”

Valentyna Words Jarek Jankowski Photos Good Works Mission Taking aid to Ukraine (left); Radek Gasza (right)

“Churches, organisations, and individuals are committed to providing material and spiritual aid”

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When Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago, Lifewords Poland witnessed a profound response from individuals, churches, and organisations dedicated to supporting Ukrainian refugees and those affected by the conflict. As millions fled Ukraine seeking refuge across Europe, Lifewords responded swiftly, producing and distributing Bible resources in Ukrainian – resources like Finding Hope, which resonated with many in the midst of loss and displacement.

Today, millions of Ukrainians

still reside far from home, separated from loved ones, and often struggling with the challenges of life in new countries. The devastation in Ukraine is widespread, with bombed schools, hospitals, and civilian areas indicators of a landscape destroyed and lives changed forever.

PRACTICAL SUPPORT As the war continues, churches, organisations, and individuals are committed to providing material and spiritual aid, faithfully serving both refugees abroad and

communities within Ukraine.

Good Works Mission is a Polish umbrella organisation of churches and charities working together to help refugees in Poland and those who have stayed in Ukraine. Its ministry includes taking practical aid into Ukraine as well as supporting Ukrainians in Poland – helping them with accommodation at the start of the war, finding a local church, and settling their young people into education.

Their “Good Centre” in Warsaw supports refugees, providing assistance such as food, clothing, and material support to over 100 people daily. In addition, they run regular group therapy sessions, Polish language classes, sessions for seniors, and last year over 500 people received medical help from doctors from the USA as part of the International Medical Relief project. The Good Centre also serves as an organisational base for humanitarian convoys to Ukraine where over 50

volunteers have been involved in regular trips, dedicating their time and energy to deliver essential support directly to Ukraine.

Valentyna from Kherson is a regular visitor to the centre: “I spent my entire life in my hometown, and leaving it was the hardest thing for me,” she says. “Having reached retirement age, my only dream was to live in peace, and care for my grandchildren. Russia took that away. Since arriving in Poland, I have been asking myself: Why am I here? What should I do? Will I ever be able to return home? What is the meaning of all this?” Valentyna found help at the Good Centre, where she was able to talk about her experiences at one of the therapy sessions.

“I am quite an open person, but recent events made me withdraw into myself,” she says.

“When the opportunity arose to share my pain, I was relieved.”

“I have been asking myself: Why am I here? What should I do?

Will I ever be able to return home?”

Taking aid to Ukraine

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Taking booklets to Ukraine (left); Jana (right)

“You can’t imagine how valuable and important such support is”

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SPIRITUAL HOPE Building relationships and offering people spiritual hope is key, and Lifewords is privileged to play a part by supplying Ukrainian Bible resources that offer comfort, hope, and the message of God’s presence amid suffering. Radek Gasza, Good Works Mission Director, explains more: “From the beginning, our goal has been not only to offer products to anonymous recipients, but to build lasting relationships and support specific communities.

Lifewords resources are an important part of this work – Bible resources are offered at the Good Centre and are included with every food bag that we distribute in Ukraine.

These people really need help and sometimes we have no time for long conversations, but these resources have a

short, condensed message, so this is very good for a first meeting.” Yana, from Zaporizhzhia, is another regular visitor to the centre: “I moved to Poland a year after the fullscale war began. To say I was in despair is an understatement.

One day, when I received a hygiene package at the centre, I saw that there were some booklets inside that talked about God. I was very intrigued.

What was written in the booklet greatly encouraged me. I felt that God understood me and was in control of every situation. This inspired me to learn more about God. Later, I met people who shared their life experiences and told me how they had come to know God. You can’t imagine how valuable and important such support is.”

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Olga and Oleksandr are regular volunteers at the centre. “During our time here, we have seen how foreign organisations and caring people support us,” says Olga.

“I have been amazed at how others are so compassionate and wondered where they found so much love. Now, I realise that many of them are Christians. The people who surround me at the centre are also Christians.

It is through these people I have begun to get to know God. Our centre has a lot of Christian literature that is freely available to everyone, and I enjoy taking and reading it. It really helps to find answers to painful questions.

We hand out booklets at the centre that talk about God,

because I know from personal experience how much people need this.”

The work of Good Works Mission represents the heart of what Lifewords strives for – a partnership of hands and hearts bringing light to dark times. Radek and his team’s commitment to delivering aid and words of hope reflects the incredible impact that individuals and organisations can have when driven by faith and compassion. In the midst of unimaginable hardship, it is often a word of hope and encouragement that strengthens the spirit.

Lifewords Bible resources, in the hands of people like Radek, provide more than words – they become a lifeline for those yearning for peace and comfort.

Olga (above); Taking aid to Ukraine (below)

“A partnership of hands and hearts bringing light to dark times”

PRAY Give thanks for the continued work of people like Radek who are offering practical support and spiritual solace to Ukrainian people.

Pray that their ongoing work would make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

Pray for lasting peace in Ukraine – that God’s justice and mercy would reign.

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world NEWS VerseFirst x Beatitudes

In August last year, our Instagram platform VerseFirst began a 5-month campaign to encourage people to engage with the beatitudes, and to create content of their own in response using the nine “beats” from Ninefold Path as prompts. The campaign culminated in a month-long feature of the “way of radical love” throughout December – a fitting end, and a great way to mark Christmas by underlining the concept of radical love.

“This cross-project campaign, bringing together VerseFirst, NINE BEATS, and Ninefold Path, harnessed the best of social media,” says Elizabeth King who headed up the initiative. “It reached around the world with the way of Jesus, encouraging people to think about and engage with the messages of trust, lament, humility, justice, compassion, right motive, peacemaking, surrender, and radical love in a world being torn apart by war, hatred and division. In fact, the topics of justice and lament were the two that hit the strongest notes with viewers and followers.”

Across the campaign, VerseFirst saw a huge rise in views and interaction – well over 500% – an increase in follower numbers, and engagement from new and existing followers who embraced the call to creatively express their experience of the beatitudes. “Sometimes social media can be more harmful than helpful,” says Elizabeth, “but VerseFirst seeks to engage people in the good news of the Bible in this space, and the campaign has shown just how much desire there is for engagement with the radical way of Jesus.”

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VerseFirst can be found on Facebook, and Instagram – @versefirst.

Little Book of Advent Last year, Lifewords launched a new title to add to its Little Brick of Little Books. Little Book of Advent was created to help readers explore the season of reflection and waiting. Lifewords also produced a companion resource to help people engage with its themes and narrative.

“I ordered some copies of Little Book of Advent from your website, and I’m really impressed,” said Sarah Kirkup from Eden.co.uk Christian bookshop. “The design and the accessible approach to unpacking the Scripture in this narrative format is great.”

Thank you for all your prayers and giving towards the Little Bricks – your support is enabling churches and organisations across the country to help others engage with the Bible. So far, over 400 Little Bricks have been financially covered by your generosity and sent to ministries.

Forging new partnerships Last October, Lifewords was invited to take part in the National Estate Churches Network (NECN) conference in Bristol. This network has been connecting with and resourcing people active in Christian ministry on social housing estates and low-income communities since 2004.

The conference was titled “State of Flux”, which reflected the challenges and uncertainty faced by many who are dealing with the context of a new government, the impact of the costof-living crisis, and bigger challenges such as the climate crisis.

Speakers from a range of organisations and contexts offered wisdom and space for people to tell their stories and explore how to be good news in the communities in which they are deeply rooted and seek to serve.

At the event, Lifewords connected with a range of churches, organisations and leaders. Many found Lifewords resources and their accessibility, design, and message compelling and relevant for their context. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to gift five Little Bricks of Little Books to five different churches.

Visit estatechurches.org to find out more about the work of NECN. 9

Words Clare Doughty

“Lifewords books are a helpful tool to help us access the Bible easily”

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Calm in the Chaos Peter* picks up Little Book of Faith and reads from Matthew 7: “Ask and you will receive; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.”

“I chose this verse because I’m not very good at asking for help,” says Peter, “but recently I’ve been seeking and asking, and I have received. I’ve been searching, and I have been finding. I’ve been knocking on doors, and they have been opening.” After Peter shares his thoughts, others in the group offer their reflections. They talk about how the Bible verses in Little Book of Faith resonate and help them understand faith. Matt, the group leader, reads from Little Book of Chaos: “Chaos. Noise. Pressure. There’s so much of it. Telling us who we should be, what we should look like, how we should act.

We hurt each other, we hurt

ourselves. And God is with us through it all.” Many nod along with the words.

Matt and Peter are part of a “faith group” run by Genesis Trust, a Christian charity in Bath that works with people who are homeless and vulnerable, offering practical help, and long-term support and opportunities. It’s a space for people to come together to ask questions, share thoughts, and reflect on the Bible.

Lifewords Little Books are a helpful resource – Joy and Chaos are particularly popular.

“The Little Books are so great for sharing with the people that we support,” says Matt.

“The expectation can be that the Bible is overwhelming and complex. Lifewords books are a helpful tool to help us access the Bible easily and start discussions … lots of people that come to faith group have found them really encouraging and helpful, and have taken copies home.”

PRACTICAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT The faith group is only a small part of what Genesis Trust do. In the last year, the charity provided over 5,000 people with food parcels – in partnership with Bath food bank – provided 19 life skills courses, and offered crisis support to 439 people through their Lifeline day centre. They also help people recover from addiction.

Genesis Trust requested a Little Brick of Little Books, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Lifewords was able to gift four Little Bricks to be used across the Trust’s services.

Grainne, who manages the food bank, was excited to show us their “book bank” that offers donated new books for children, and secondhand books for adults. A Little Brick of Little Books is on offer too, providing an opportunity for those attending the food bank to engage with the words of the Bible: “The Little Books are different to an ordinary book in that they’re something you really want

to keep,” says Grainne. “One man spoke to me the other day about how special he found the resources, and how much he was moved by them.”

WORKING TOGETHER Lifewords partners with many groups like Genesis Trust, helping bring words of life to people in a variety of contexts – by providing churches, charities, and ministries throughout the UK and across the world with engaging Bible resources. If you would like to support the work or gift a Little Brick of Little Books to a charity or ministry like Genesis Trust, visit lifewords.global/getinvolved. *Name changed

PRAY Praise God for the people who have been encouraged

by Lifewords Little Books.

Pray for the work of Genesis Trust as they continue to support vulnerable people across Bath.

Pray that Lifewords would have the opportunity to strengthen our partnerships with charities and ministries like Genesis Trust.

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LiFEWORDs

IN ACTION

Lifewords ministry is fuelled by the prayerful generosity of individuals, trusts, and churches. Every gift, every donation makes a huge difference and helps bring life all over the world.

HERE’S HOW YOUR GIFT IS PUT TO USE: In the “workshop” The creative, theological, cultural, and missional interplay that shapes new ideas and projects.

In the “engine room” The origination, design, and production of resources in multiple languages and contexts: Printed. Digital. Online. Engaging resources that help Christians and people from all walks of life encounter the Bible.

In the warehouse The storage, packing and dispatching of resources from our UK and Poland warehouses. Last year, over 762,000 resources went to 61 countries. Each order is more than a resource – it is the gospel going out!

In the office Largely unseen, this “back room” work anchors the outreach of the public-facing ministry – and helps connection with supporters, pray-ers and donors alike.

On the road Engaging in person with church leaders and networks, faith communities, mission workers, evangelists, chaplains, teachers, artists, care professionals, and more. Building partnerships to share the story and serve the community.

On the mission trail Providing Bible resources to those who need them most – in multiple contexts and locations, wherever there is a need.

Reaching the culture Engaging with the world through programmes and projects that meet people where they are – advocating for the Bible and telling the story in fresh ways – letting Scripture speak, reach, and teach.

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Reaching the hard places Bringing Bible resources where they are scarce; empowering workers in tough contexts and conditions; working with and standing alongside partners to help those caught in poverty, hardship, oppression; bringing hope, comfort and love.

Bringing life Most of all, our supporters fuel Lifewords to continue to create ways into the Bible for people to explore and share, to practice and experience, to engage and live out – so that they find life in all its fullness.

HOW IT WORKS:

Use and donate Supporters who order and use resources can donate to cover the basic costs of resources used. Helping to cover the production, printing, and distribution of the resources is a tremendous contribution to make – it makes it possible for us to continue the mission.

“Pay it forward” Any donation amount over and above the “basic” means that we can supply others around the world who do not have the funds to access resources – and who very often cannot do their mission or outreach work without such context-specific, Scripture-rich resources we provide.

Stand-alone Anyone can make a gift to the general mission regardless of whether they order resources. Such gifts enable us to provide Bible resources to those who need them most – whether it’s a pastor in a remote village, a community group in a bustling city, or a young person searching for meaning in a turbulent world.

Every donation becomes a powerful tool for ministry, paving the way for countless others to experience the hope and wisdom of the Bible.

We are so grateful to each and every one that gives to this work!

Lifewords supporters are a global community committed to sharing the Bible’s life-giving message and to making a lasting difference in people’s lives. Every gift given is a vital piece of this ministry. You can give easily in a variety of ways – one-off gifts, regular standing orders (which enable us to plan more long-term) and legacies. In partnership together we can keep reaching the world with this life-changing story – visit lifewords.global to find out more.

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GET INVOLVED LIFEWO R DS A ND YOU

Blind Faith In 1963, Jeanette Short left her home in the UK to work with blind children in India. Two years later, she began teaching at the Sharp Memorial School for the Blind, in the north Indian foothills of the Himalayas.

Jeanette sought to provide Bible materials and resources for the children she supported, but Braille resources were very limited.

Jeanette explains more: “One of my big achievements over a period of 20 years was translating the whole Bible into Hindi Braille.

However, because this was a long and slow task, I decided early on to transcribe a number of Scripture Gift Mission’s (now known as Lifewords) Hindi resources into Braille, including Way of Salvation and Daily Strength. I found Braille printing presses who were willing to produce these translations in bulk. For every print run, 500 copies were produced and then distributed and read by people all over north India.”

As well as working extensively in Hindi Braille, Jeanette also transcribed a Braille version of Way of Salvation in Nepali, the most widely spoken language in Nepal.

“Later in my work with blind people in South India, I also encouraged colleagues to transcribe your Tamil and Malayalam books into Braille,” says Jeanette.

In 2006, Jeanette received an MBE in recognition of her work with blind people. Her book, Blind Faith, shares the powerful testimonies of many blind children who came to faith during their time at Sharp Memorial School.

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Draft design for Long Story Short

CONTACT US Get in touch with the Lifewords global family. Find us online at www.lifewords.global, or contact your local office.

Find yourself in the story this Easter

AUSTRALIA australia@lifewords.global

BRAZIL projectoc@lifewords.global

Here’s something new for Lent! Refreshed for 2025, Long Story Short tells the story of the Bible in its own words – from Genesis to Revelation – spread across 12 episodes. Follow the route through each episode, read and engage with the passages on your chosen device – print or digital, you choose!

Whether on your own or with your community, take time to engage, reflect, discuss, make notes or doodle your way through the story. What inspires or challenges, what connects in a new way, what do you want to explore further? This is not a study or discussion, it’s a way to find ourselves in the Bible’s sweeping story.

Also available this Easter, we have a variety of resources for you to share with others. From our Finished/Risen card that centres on the life-transforming events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, to The Easter Journey booklet and animations that guide us through Easter week; from the thoughtprovoking Day Three: Believe the Women to Witness: Easter Voices, we have lots on offer to help you and your church engage people with the life words of the Bible this Easter.

CANADA

Visit lifewords.global/shop for our Easter range.

uk@lifewords.global

+1 905 683 6482 info@sgmcanada.ca

KENYA +254 20 2730100 kenya@lifewords.global

INDONESIA +62 81294210986 indonesia@lifewords.global

INDIA +91-9538811181 india@lifewords.global

POLAND europe@lifewords.global

UK & INTERNATIONAL OFFICE +44 (0) 20 7730 2155

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LONG STORY SHORT

EGYPT

PROMISE

WANDERERS

BEGINNING

NATION

KINGS

EXILE BEGINNING

MESSIAH

So the story begins.

We are here, at the beginning of history.

And it starts like this …

GOD LOOKS FOR ADAM

Genesis 3:8-13

Genesis 2:1-3

Genesis 1:26-31

ENTER HUMANITY

Genesis 1:1-25

THE GARDEN OF EDEN Genesis 2:4-9

Creation isn’t ancient history, because we are here …

Born into a beautiful world, in the image of its creator, and called in turn to care and tend for it. We are here, invited to enjoy the best of creation; to join in, to live and love and flourish.

AND EVE

Genesis 3:1-7

Genesis 2:15-25

ADAM AND EVE’S CHOICE Genesis 9:12-17

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD

KINGDOM

Genesis 9:1

AND EVIL

A BLESSING AND A PROMIS

Episode 1 Beginning

Genesis 3:14-24

Genesis 8:13-22 Genesis 8:1-3

ADAM AND EVE’S SONS

UNFINISHED REVOLUTION

A NEW START

Genesis 4:1-12

Genesis 4:25-26 The fall wasn’t a one-off event, because we are here …

Sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, cast out from the garden, cut off from God. Here we are in a world of distrust, injustice, and violence, living with the consequences of our foolishness.

But, we are not forgotten.

Still loved, still longed are heirs to a promise, for, we and waiting for our deliverance.

Genesis 7:11-24

GOD IS SORRY Genesis 6:5-8

HOW GOD SAVED NOAH

THE STORY OF NOAH 2024 Long Story

Short – A5 map

and covers for Interact

Plus, a wide range of ways to share the Easter story with your community THE

Rachel, Exeter

THE

JOURNEY

The Easter Journey 2023 FSC CN

Witne Easter Voicses

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THE ST

02/01/2024 17:39

Day Thre

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26/01/2022

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09:21

ORY OF TH CHAN E DA GED Y TH EVER AT YTHI NG

#D3BTW

“They are so easy to read and beautifully designed.”

eve the

Women

2020

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Emma, Chelmsford

Find these, and much more, at www.lifewords.global/shop Lifewords Bible resources are great to read, easy to share, freely available, and supported by donations since 1888.

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13/12/2024 12:01

Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday

EIGHT DAYS – a story of Love,

John, YMCA chaplain

d Risen 2022 Finishe

Genesis 6:11-22

EASTEREAST JOURER NEY

Sacrifice and Redemption

“The Easter Journey offered a journey of hope to our service users.”

“Fantastic resources to give out with conversations.”

Genesis 6:9

1-25.indd 1-2

New for Lent, Long Story Short tells the story of the Bible across 12 episodes.

WILDFIRE

E

Nothing imperfect lasts forever. Civilisations rise and fall, justice is done, and life is brought back into balance.

And the cycle starts again, the new out of the old.

Day follows night, spring follows winter, life from death, one new start after another.

Here we are, in a world that sings resurrection.

05/02/20

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