Celebrating Generosity: Banyala Luke Translation Complete
Imagine Zero is an initiative by The Seed Company to end Bible poverty around the world. There are over 2,000 people groups that do not have a single verse of Scripture in a language they can understand.
In October of 2019, Reston Bible Church partnered with The Seed Company, which currently works with 120 partner organizations and 1,555 local ministries and churches to help bring God’s Word to the Bibleless. As a church, we adopted the translation of the book of Luke into the heart language of the Banyala people in Kenya. When we introduced the project last year, within a few short weeks, all 1,151 verses of the book of Luke were “adopted” by RBCers at $35 per verse.
Now, one year later, the Banyala people now have the book of Luke completely translated into their heart language. By the grace of God at work through your generosity, copies of Luke’s gospel are now being printed and distributed to the Banyalan people. Please continue to pray for the Banyala people, that as the Word of God goes forth, it will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
Other specific prayer requests from the field include:
- May God continue uplifting those involved in bringing the Bible closer to the people.
- Thank God for a good translation team that will eventually see the New Testament fully drafted.
- Pray for God to give sobriety and self-control to the young people. Since people now spend much of their time at home because of COVID-19, there is a great deal of strain upon families. Many relationships have been impacted negatively, and with the schoolchildren all at home, there have been a lot of teenage pregnancies. The team prays that their translation of the Bible into the local language will help alleviate problems caused by the stress of the pandemic.
- Praise God that although the impact of COVID-19 varies from project to project, all translation teams have been able to continue their work. Travel restrictions have redirected responsibility for staying on schedule more directly to translation teams and communities, who have accepted even greater ownership of the work.
- Praise God that the closing of churches due to COVID has encouraged family worship, and many believers are now reading and studying the Bible for themselves.
- Pray for the pastors and ministers. Many churches have experienced a decrease in offerings and tithes, and some churches are unable to pay their pastors. Please pray for them as they continue to minister to the people in their care.
The video above is the update given in services last Sunday and includes a word of thanks from Nyanjugu Githui, the field project manager. In the video below, Banyalan translator and pastor Fred Egessa shares how translating the book of Luke impacted him personally.
Celebrating Generosity: Community Blood Drive
Introducing Equipping the Saints
In response to Christ’s command to be disciples and make disciples, fulfilling the mission of RBC, “to know Christ and make Him known,” we have created a ministry called Equipping the Saints (EtS).
EtS was created to provide systematic teaching for the entire church body on the essentials of being and making disciples. The core courses below are set in an environment of mutual edification, exhortation, and spiritual growth that will benefit every follower of Jesus, and draw the body at RBC together in unity.
Courses are mostly done in 4 sessions, and are held on Sunday mornings, so that everyone in the body can participate. Registration for the Fall semester is open. The desire of the Pastors and Elders is that everyone who calls RBC home, would work their way through all six of the core courses.
One Body, Many Parts: Where Do I Fit?
Sundays, 10:45 AM – September 9 – 30
Lead Teacher: Pastor Mike Meyers
This broad orientation to the “church” and to RBC’s history, beliefs, and ministries will cover what it means to be a part of the body of Christ at RBC and help you answer questions like, “Who am I?” “How has God fitted me for His service?” “Where do I go from here?” We will explore things like personality, spiritual gifts, and passions to help you understand how God has uniquely created you for growth and fruitfulness in His kingdom.
Firm Foundation: Essential Christian Beliefs
Sundays, 10:45 AM – October 14 – November 18
Lead Teachers: Pastors Jason VanDorsten and Evan Snyder
This course will help you understand our core Christian beliefs regarding the nature of God, the nature of sin and the gospel, Christ’s work in making us holy (spiritually whole and set apart for God), the eternal security of the believer, the inerrancy of Scripture, and the Church, and more. In the course, you will develop your ability to explain these to others.
Engaging the Living Word
Sunday, 9:00 AM – September 9 – 30
Lead Teacher: Pastor Jim Supp
Covering the importance and power of the Word of God in the life of the believer, this course provides an overview of the Bible (structure, literary styles, history, big picture storyline), basic tools and techniques for Bible reading, interpretation, and Scripture engagement, and plans for Bible reading.
World Mission Survey
Sundays, 9:00 AM – October 28 and November 4
Lead Teacher: Pastor Tony Pedroni
This two-session class is held annually in the fall, and covers the biblical basis for world missions, a survey of the history of missions, RBC’s place in that history, and how individuals in the body can engage. Students will have an opportunity to learn more about RBC’s missions committee, missions internship program, short-term missions opportunities, and ways to “adopt” a national or international missionary as a family or Shepherd Group. This class is recommended for everyone at RBC that has a heart for reaching the world with the good news of Jesus.
You can read more about EtS and see the full list of courses at the EtS web page.
Pirates of the Mediterranean: Credits & Outtakes
Pirates of the Mediterranean: The Greatest Treasure – Part 5
Alas, our Kids Camp adventure be endin’, but mayhap yer own adventure be just beginin’! Yarrgh! Thanks fer a great week!
Pirates of the Mediterranean: The Greatest Treasure – Part 4
Blimey, Cap’n – ’tis Day 4 of our Kids Camp videos. Get ready fer walkin’ the plank!
Pirates of the Mediterranean: The Greatest Treasure – Part 3
Arrrrgh, ye scalawag! Foller along with our Kids Camp videos by pointin’ yer peepers at Day 3!
Pirates of the Mediterranean: The Greatest Treasure – Part 2
Avast, ye scurvy dogs! The Kids Camp Day 2 video is here fer yer viewin’ pleasure.
Pirates of the Mediterranean: The Greatest Treasure – Part 1
Ahoy there, mateys! Day 1 of Kids Camp 2018 is in the books! Here be today’s video.
Daddy-Daughter Dance Update
On the evening of March 3, our facility was transformed into a medieval castle for the “Fair Maiden’s Ball,” our annual Daddy-Daughter dance.
The event was sold out! The princesses, accompanied by dads, grand-dads, uncles, and family friends, were welcomed at the door by their hosts, the king, and princess Bela, and treated to an evening of royal crafts, desserts, and a whirl in the royal ballroom. A good time was had by all. Kings and princesses alike were encouraged in their relationship with one another as well as with Jesus, the King of kings.
If you missed the Ball, do not worry. You can get a dad and daughter date passport from the Quest desk (in the RBC Children’s Ministry area) and begin to prepare for next year’s event. A special thank you to the Lady Hannah Huthwaite and her team of royal volunteers for a spectacular event!
VIDEO: Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief – Day 2
VIDEO: Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief – Day 1
Celebrating Generosity: Hurricane Relief
After the devastation left by several hurricanes this year, Reston Bible Church engaged in relief efforts in Texas and Puerto Rico, providing manpower and supplies. Here’s a brief update from two trips. If you’re interested in future relief trips, please contact Dale Peak.
The Heart of First Fruits
God has called us to love and “be neighbors” to those He has placed around us!
This year we are adding an additional aspect to the First Fruits Project: The Heart of First Fruits. We are asking you, the body of Christ at RBC, to consider the needs of the people around you and how you could tangibly bless them over the weeks of First Fruits and Thanksgiving. Prayerfully consider whom God might put on your heart, and then think of a practical way to encourage them. Some examples you might think about: a single mom, an elderly couple, someone dealing with an illness, someone who lost a job, a young couple with young children, someone with no family near by, or even someone with no perceived need at all.
Your encouragement could be anonymous, but it doesn’t have to be. It could be fresh baked cookies. It could be an invitation to come to dinner at your home. It could be raking the leaves in their yard or fixing a leaking faucet. The options are many. Just ask the Lord how you can bless someone around you — the way you would want to be blessed if you were in their shoes. It is the heart of the Lord to bless us and for us to pass on this blessing to others. Enjoy this opportunity to love others as unto Jesus.
We would ask one additional thing — that you share how God leads you to live out the “Heart of First Fruits” and what happens. We would love for you to share your story using the button below. We will keep your name and those you bless confidential. Our goal is to allow the body of Christ at RBC to hear how God has led us individually to love our neighbors. We will provide a follow-up after the event so we can hear how God’s hands and feet responded! We hope you will choose to join us on this mission – and for it to become a regular part of all our lives.