Australia—Interview: Why did the Pendleburys join WALK4BIBLES?
John and Margaret Pendlebury are Bible League supporters.
They participated in WALK4BIBLES 2006 and 2007.
Having personally experienced the great impact of God’s Word and having seen the huge need of other people, the Pendleburys are keen on providing Bibles to those who long for one. |
From deep waters to broad place
For Margaret, she had to go through “deep waters” to discover the power of God’s Word.
“I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel!”
Margaret has once been terribly ill. “In those times, I clung to God and His Word ‘like a limpet’. At night, I would go to sleep, often with tears, listening to a CD, the words of which were from Scripture. God’s Word strengthens me: God will make a way, where seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see...By a roadway in the wilderness He'll lead me and rivers in the desert will I see.... I learned the secret of using the Word of God as my shield, my armour and my sword!”
Healing came gradually. “God has led John and I into a broad place of opportunity. God’s Word has taught us to live victoriously in the Kingdom of God. I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t share His life changing Word with those who don’t have it!”
Get “hooked” through WALK4BIBLES
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Margaret and John Pendlebury at WALK4BIBLES 2007 in Perth
"We will recommend any Christian who has a heart for God to take part in the distribution of Scriptures."
 Click to view what walkers say about WALK4BIBLES (include interview with the Pendleburys). |
This conviction has inspired Margaret and John, since 2006, to join WALK4BIBLES in Perth.
“There was not much response at our church when I first announced the event. Later, a lady who was visiting at that time came up to me. She put $200 into my hands and said it was for WALK4BIBLES. I was stunned and I felt it was God’s confirmation that I am doing the right thing.
“So I persisted in asking for sponsors. God continued to open more opportunities and I went on. I was able to send in about $800! I was hooked! It wasn’t that hard. I came to the conclusion that if we don’t ask, we don’t receive!”
The WALK4BIBLES 2006 event was a good family time for John & Margaret, particularly as their grandchildren came along on their bikes. They also had unexpected “reunions” with long lost friends.
This wonderful experience not only encouraged them to join WALK4BIBLES again this year, but also drew several of their church friends to join the walk.
Passion fan into flame
Margaret and John’s passion to provide God’s Word was first stirred up by God when they saw the need of the people in Africa.
For decades, Bible League has provided churches around the world with Scriptures and supporting Bible studies materials. We strategically combine evangelism and discipleship to ensure that Scriptures are used and become understandable.
Personal, family and small group Bible studies also strengthen Christian faith and active church membership—often birthing new churches.
In 2006, Bible League was able to place 19,347,455 Scriptures in over 78 countries, graduate 3,296,686 people from a Project Philip Bible study, baptise 423,163 new believers and plant 5,807 new churches. Click here to learn more. |
Margaret and John went on a trip to Africa in 2003 to visit their sponsored Compassion child. As they were pastors, they also spent some time preaching and teaching in Kenya and Uganda. “The people there were so hungry to hear the Word of God. They walked a long way to a service expecting to be fed spiritually, to come to know about God and His ways.” Margaret and John returned again in 2004 to deliver further training for the people.
But what disturbed them most was the reality that so many pastors didn’t even have a Bible!
“They can’t afford to pay anything, much less the full price of a Bible!” explained John.
Margaret further described how many older pastors in Africa who can’t read English didn’t even know that there was a Bible available for them in their heart language.
“We were appalled to think that people would be leading a church without having an understanding of God’s Word. What they need is people who will teach and equip them to make disciples. But without the Word of God, how does that happen?” Margaret said sadly.
When they placed the 40 Bibles which they had purchased in Nairobi at a Pastor’s seminar, they saw first hand the impact of God’s Word.
“It was a very moving experience for us to see the wonder and joy on people’s faces when they received their own copy of the Bible and the way they reverently handled their Bibles.” One of these pastors later went to a neighbouring village, using his newly received Bible to lead four people to the Lord.
Help spread the word
Before Margaret and John left Africa, there were still many people who wanted Bibles and training. So they referred these pastors to Bible League’s offices.
John’s trust in Bible League’s ministry was reinforced by what he read about Bible League.
“John was an accountant, so it has always been very important to him to support organisations that are legitimately handling donated finances,” explained Margaret.
“We were impressed by Bible League’s ministry—the number of Bibles being translated into so many different languages and being placed in so many countries.”
As Margaret and John are now retired and their capacity to go and spread the Gospel physically is limited, yet they can still help provide God’s Word—His powerful and life changing Word that nourishes disciples all over the world—through their partnership with Bible League.
| Action Point |
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Pray that God's Word will continue to guide and strengthen Margaret and John in their faith as well as in their ministry. |
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Pray that more people who are longing for God's Word will get their copy of the Bible and that they will praise God with an upright heart as they learn His righteous laws. |
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Learn more about HOW YOU MAY GET INVOLVED in BIble League's ministry. |
Go to 18 July 2007 E-news | Go to current issue | Go to past issues
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