Remote & Indigenous programmes

Resources completed, published and distributed

In 2015, the Remote and Indigenous Ministry Team published and distributed the Kriol Gospel of Luke pocket edition complete with Bible study guide as well as reprinting the Warlpiri Shorter Bible. Substantial portions of the Kriol Bible were recorded in audio format (Matthew, Acts, Romans, 2 Corinthians, Hebrews) and two resources for prisons, ‘Free to Belong’ and ‘Jesus, on your side’, were translated and published in Pitjantjatjara for the first time.

The Pitjantjatjara Bible Translation Project

The Bible Society has continued working closely with the Pitjantjatjara people of central Australia to translate the Old Testament into their ancient language. In 2015 the Book of Daniel in Pitjantjatjara was published.

Also, a Study Tour of Israel for translators involved in the Project was conducted. The tour is designed for people who have not learned Hebrew or done a lot of formal seminary study. The focus was on visiting sites where Biblical events took place, and on joining the Scripture passages with the history and culture of what happened at that geographical site. The translators learnt so much about the land of the Bible to help their translation work at home in Central Australia.

“You know, not only have we seen where Jesus walked and talked and lived, but the stories of the Bible have entered our hearts in a new way, and when we get back home we will be telling our family, our sons and daughters that these stories are real for them to trust in.”
- Tjutjuna

Resources distributed to the Outback

In 2015 over $15,000 worth of Scripture resources were distributed through our Outback Ministry Partners Scripture Grants Program providing free Scriptures and Bible Engagement Resources to our Mission Partners across Australia.

“Indigenous people are so open to Christ and resources assist in allowing their faith and gifts to grow and be shared.”
- Father Dan Benedetti (Missionary of God’s Love Catholic priest) who conducts Church services in the prison and youth detention centres in Darwin, Port Keats and the Tiwi Islands and beneficiary of our Grants Program.

Other Mission partners who have benefited from this program include: MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) pilot Peter Higham who makes regular visits to Aboriginal homelands across Arnhem Land; Several Aboriginal Church Communities in remote Western Australia; Hospital Chaplains in Townsville and a Holiday Bible Club for hundreds of Aboriginal Children in NSW.

Images: (Left) While on outreach to the homeland of Mirrnatja, MAF staff were able to distribute donated Bible Society resources to the residents. In particular the children loved the ‘Outback Colouring’ book. (Right) Sitting under the shade of a tree, MAF Pilot Fabio Zuglian shares Bible Society resources with some of the residents from Birany Birany Homeland.