Resources for Congregations Literacy classes use the Bible to teach reading By Parker T. Williamson The Presbyterian Layman Friday, March 26, 1999 When Brazilian-born Ana Maria Cantao signed up for literacy training at First Presbyterian Church of Belo Horizonte, not only did she fall in love with the English language, but with a man from the North who spoke it. Today Ana Maria is married to Rev. Bob Biederman, a globe-trotting Presbyterian from Tulsa, whose ministry flies a banner called Literacy and Evangelism International (LEI). Together, they have found a way to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by teaching people how to read. Founded in 1967 by Presbyterian minister Robert F. Rice, and led today by Presbyterian minister John C. Taylor, LEI has penetrated more than 40 countries, proclaiming the Gospel in 137 languages. More than 140 church and mission groups have formed partnerships with LEI’s mushrooming ministry which, although not an official function of the Presbyterian Church (USA), is Presbyterian to the core. Learning the language Immigrants coming into the United States and nationals in other countries understand that knowing the English language is a must if they are to succeed in business, government or education. Eager to break through the cycle of joblessness and poverty, many yearn for a teacher who can help them learn to read. LEI recognizes this hunger as an entry point for evangelism. Students flock to LEI literacy classes, many of which are conducted in church buildings. There they discover that the words in their primers bring them face to face with another Word, for their text is the Gospel. Although students often enter the course simply for the purpose of learning a skill that will help them get ahead socially and financially, many find through their reading that they are being drawn into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A thousand tongues to sing The English language is one of LEI’s most popular subjects, but it is only one of 137 languages that are taught. Teams from LEI take up residence among cultural groups in more than 40 countries, translate the words they hear into written form, and teach the people how to read. The key to LEI’s enormous impact has been its partnerships with host churches. At the request of a Christian organization in the host country, LEI sends one or more literacy consultants to work with a team of volunteers from the requesting organization. Within 10-12 days, the consultants construct a primer series, consisting of two or three books of simplified Bible stories translated into the target language. Then the consultants train local team members to teach others how to read using the primer materials. From words to the Word An essential component in team training is helping volunteers in the host church learn to articulate the Christian faith among people of their own culture. The simplified Bible stories used in LEI’s basic literacy primers are designed to inform a person with no prior knowledge of the Gospel about why we need a savior, Jesus’ sinless life, death on the cross and resurrection, and how one becomes a follower of Jesus. In Brazil, one of LEI’s partners is teaching 75,000 people each year. Its tutors and supervisors report that about one-third of these new readers accept the Lord Jesus as their personal savior. LEI’s published statement of belief leaves no doubt as to where it stands on essentials of Christian faith and the imperative to share it with others. LEI declares Jesus Christ to be “the only one capable of redeeming people,” and it describes the church as “the priesthood of all believers who together form the universal Church, Christ’s bride or body of which he is head and has commissioned to advance the light of the Gospel in this dark world.” Concerning Scripture, it says: “The Bible is God’s inspired, infallible and completed word for all people everywhere, to show them the way, the truth and the life and to be their final authority.” LEI is a “faith ministry.” Consultants raise their own financial support from congregations and individuals who believe in the organization’s work. When they go to other countries, LEI consultants bear the cost of their own travel to and from the United States. Host churches provide food, lodging, and local travel while the consultants are in their country. Ana Maria Beiderman, now a legal resident of the United States, has experienced enormous changes since 1994, the year she learned English through the ministry of LEI. Her work has helped train coordinators who now share the Gospel in 23 Brazilian states. Only three states remain untouched, and Ana Maria is praying hard for LEI’s plans to enter those areas in 1999. In a January newsletter to her supporters she said, “Now when I am writing to you, I have tears in my eyes, to remember all that has happened in these four years … God has made a way for us … Let us continue to commit this ministry to the Lord, asking for his direction and blessing, and that we be used by him, for his kingdom.” For more information contact Literacy & Evangelism International at 1800 S. Jackson Avenue, Tulsa, OK, 74107-1897, phone: 918-585-3826. e-mail: general@LiteracyEvangIntl.org website: www.LiteracyEvangIntl.org Rev. Bob Biederman and Ana Maria Together, they have found a way to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by teaching people how to read.

The Presbyterian Layman March/April 1999

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