User Menu Triggers
COVID-19 Drives People to God’s Word
By Julia Hall
Europe,
Italy,
Spain,
S Europe,
Thru the Bible
“I’ve decided that everyone suffers.” This is what my friend of over 30 years said to me one day as we walked around the local lake, and she was right. Everyone is going through something, or will in the future, and even for a Christian with hope in Jesus, the road can be a tough one. What about for the one who doesn’t have hope? It’s a desperate situation.
Yes, because of COVID-19, the world is in as desperate a situation as we have ever seen in our lifetimes. “What is God doing?” we ask. While we don’t know all that he is doing, we know one thing we can see: People are searching for God. Just take a look at the YouVersion Bible App.
YouVersion makes the Bible available in 1,400 languages and an app available in 62 that has been downloaded more than 425 million times and is appropriate for smartphones, tablets, and online at Bible.com. Here’s what Jeff Moore, director of global impact for YouVersion, said about the month of April 2020 alone:
Moore adds that in Italy, particularly hard-hit by COVID-19, one moment-in-time snapshot showed a 30 percent increase in traffic over the same time last year.
Not only is this exciting, but TWR and our close ministry partner Thru the Bible (TTB) have been able to join in a unique partnership with YouVersion to provide the teaching of Dr. J. Vernon McGee to further disciple YouVersion app users. Moore comments on the partnership:
In a collaborative effort, the three organizations came together to fast-track material for Italy and Spain as the countries were being overrun by COVID-19. Lucas da Silva is TWR’s director of Southern European Ministry:
Not only is God drawing more people to his Word around the world, but he also is bringing together his people to do it. One final comment by TWR’s Thru the Bible international liaison, Harry Bettig, sums up the partnership:
None of these ministries is able to do what it does without the prayer and financial support of many generous givers. If you support one of these ministries in some way, you are a part of speaking hope to the world at a crucial time in our history. Thank you!
Yes, because of COVID-19, the world is in as desperate a situation as we have ever seen in our lifetimes. “What is God doing?” we ask. While we don’t know all that he is doing, we know one thing we can see: People are searching for God. Just take a look at the YouVersion Bible App.
YouVersion makes the Bible available in 1,400 languages and an app available in 62 that has been downloaded more than 425 million times and is appropriate for smartphones, tablets, and online at Bible.com. Here’s what Jeff Moore, director of global impact for YouVersion, said about the month of April 2020 alone:
“There’s no question that April 2020 was by far the largest month of Bible engagement we’ve ever seen in almost every category we measure. Take the number of Bible-reading plans [one plan covers one book of the Bible] that were completed, for example. In April 2020, 40 percent more plans were completed than in the same month the previous year, and that number represents a 20 percent increase on the previous record month! This statistic, in particular, is important because it demonstrates repeated usage of the app in a consistent, intentional manner. It takes commitment to come back to the app for days in a row to complete a daily Bible plan! We’re thrilled to see all that users are doing in the YouVersion Bible App, because it paints a picture of God’s people growing in intimacy with him through his Word!”
Moore adds that in Italy, particularly hard-hit by COVID-19, one moment-in-time snapshot showed a 30 percent increase in traffic over the same time last year.
Not only is this exciting, but TWR and our close ministry partner Thru the Bible (TTB) have been able to join in a unique partnership with YouVersion to provide the teaching of Dr. J. Vernon McGee to further disciple YouVersion app users. Moore comments on the partnership:
“We are grateful for the close partnership we have with the ministry of Thru the Bible. In recent years, they have provided more than 400 Bible-reading plans in 12 different languages, with more to come, to help people experience the life-transforming power of God’s Word. In that time, we’ve been amazed to see over 170,000 plans completed.
“Now, we find ourselves in a unique time in history where people across the globe are dealing with the impact of COVID-19. In the middle of it all, they are turning to the Bible at a rate we’ve never seen before. Because of the deep relationship between Thru the Bible and TWR, they were able to move quickly to release new Bible-reading plans in Italian, Spanish, and Farsi, bringing hope and peace to people facing the worst of coronavirus. We’re incredibly grateful to the teams at Thru the Bible and TWR for all their work and commitment to bring the light of the gospel to the whole world.”
In a collaborative effort, the three organizations came together to fast-track material for Italy and Spain as the countries were being overrun by COVID-19. Lucas da Silva is TWR’s director of Southern European Ministry:
“We have been working with our Italian national partner, Centro di Radiodiffusione Cristiana (CRC), and our Spanish national partner, Canal de Vida, to put Italian and European Spanish Thru the Bible on YouVersion from six books of the Bible (John, Philippians, Ephesians, 1 Peter, Psalms and Romans). The Italian TTB is called Il Libro Più Letto (The Most Read Book) and Spanish TTB is called La Fuente de la Vida (The Fountain of Life). The content itself is the regular teaching blocks for Il Libro Più Letto and La Fuente de la Vida. CRC and Canal de Vida have also provided texts in their languages informing YouVersion users that these programs contain truth and provide hope in the midst of the coronavirus.”
Not only is God drawing more people to his Word around the world, but he also is bringing together his people to do it. One final comment by TWR’s Thru the Bible international liaison, Harry Bettig, sums up the partnership:
“It has been an interesting experience to help TTB provide Italian and European Spanish Bible-teaching programs on the YouVersion platform. At least a dozen individuals, including volunteers, were involved in some part of this project. We are also looking at Greek, Romanian, Croatian, Bulgarian, and Dutch to be added in six to nine months with a five-minute text and audio version of TTB. To see three organizations working together toward a common goal is encouraging.”
None of these ministries is able to do what it does without the prayer and financial support of many generous givers. If you support one of these ministries in some way, you are a part of speaking hope to the world at a crucial time in our history. Thank you!
Julia Hall
Europe,
Italy,
Spain,
S Europe,
Thru the Bible
TWR’s Turkish partner organization ministers where cataclysmic earthquakes struck in early 2023. With a death toll over 50,000...
Asia - Central,
Europe,
Middle East,
MIF,
Reach the Last,
Unreached,
Türkiye (Turkey)
As war rages on, fear and hopelessness abound in Ukraine and Belarus. Families are separated, poverty is on the rise, and fear...
Belarus,
Russia,
Ukraine,
Europe,
Europe - Central & East,
RFTW
The Roma people (formerly known as Gypsies) of Central and Eastern Europe have been marginalized for centuries and experience...
Europe,
Europe - Central & East,
MIF,
Roma
Europe is home to large Muslim communities, and while religious traditions among them vary, they all have one thing in common:...
Europe,
Europe - Northwest,
MIF
The countries of Europe are secular, post-Christian societies, and the rate of attempted suicide among young people is...
Europe,
Europe - Central & East,
Europe - Northwest,
Europe - South,
MIF,
Spain,
Ukraine
During the global pandemic, people have begun reading the Bible and searching for God as never before, and TWR has stepped up...
Europe,
Europe - Central & East,
Europe - Northwest,
Europe - South
As the war continues in Ukraine, TWR’s Ukrainian team of mostly young adults perseveres in what has become their finest hour in...
Europe,
Featured,
MIF,
Russia,
Ukraine
The six countries of TWR’s southern Europe ministry region are France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. In this...
Europe,
MIF
The area of Northern Cyprus has a population of 300,000 who are mostly Turkish speaking M. people. While there are some people...
Cyprus,
Europe
TWR MOTION creates compelling videos that inspire people of all cultures to follow Jesus. Church planters around the world use...
Global,
MIF,
Reach the Last,
Unreached,
TWR MOTION
The Way of Righteousness is a radio program that is expanding rapidly around the TWR world because of its proven ability to...
Global,
MIF
What will it take to reach the last? TWR is joining with you – our generous partners – and other organizations around the world...
Global,
MIF,
RFTW
TWR Women of Hope brings hope in Jesus to women around the world and across generations. We seek to educate, encourage, and...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
MIF,
TWR Women of Hope
A trafficked or sexually exploited woman is often hidden in plain sight. A different story can become her reality, but who will...
Europe - Northwest,
Global,
Hope Challenge,
TWR Women of Hope
All around the world, women in countless countries are suffering in ways that create unique hardships for them.
Featured,
Hope Challenge,
Global,
RFTW,
TWR Women of Hope
Dr. Luke is an evangelistic health and hygiene program written by a longtime missionary doctor who brings a biblical...
Global,
MIF
“God is acting, and my life is being transformed, and he will transform my marriage as well," said a man in Latin America as he...
TWR360.org is the world’s premier online tool for accessing Christian media resources in over 140 languages – and growing. The...
Global,
MIF,
RFTW,
TWR360
Can't find what you're looking for or a role that fits you? Let us know about your interests and skills and we'll help you do...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Full Time,
Part Time,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer
Use your knowledge about the people of Afghanistan to bring the good news to this hard-pressed people group!
Administrative,
Project Management,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Featured,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Come and tell the story of TWR's part in God's global redemptive work!
Africa,
Asia,
Europe,
Marketing,
Missionary,
Short-term (3-12 mo.)
Support the ministry of TWR Europe and discovering the importance of solid international bookkeeping for a global mission.
Europe,
Finance,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Netherlands
Use your skills in finance/accounting to reach the world for Christ!
Africa,
Asia,
Europe,
Finance,
Missionary,
Short-term (3-12 mo.)
Work on specifically assigned projects for the regional HR team as well as supporting projects on a global level.
CAMENA,
Europe,
Middle East,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Marketing
Take your passion for service into the world of missions!
Administrative,
Africa,
Asia,
Europe,
Missionary,
Short-term (3-12 mo.)
Planning, implementing, and supporting IT cybersecurity that enables TWR to reach the world for Christ so that lasting fruit is...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Full Time,
Information Technology,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary
Planning, implementing, and supporting information technology and systems that enable TWR to reach the world for Christ so that...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Cyprus,
Singapore,
Slovakia,
South Africa,
USA,
Featured,
Full Time,
Part Time,
Information Technology,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer
Can't find what you're looking for or a role that fits you? Let us know about your interests and skills and we'll help you do...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Full Time,
Part Time,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer
Be a part of the global mission field while using your gifts in accounting and finance!
Americas,
Asia,
Americas - North,
Finance,
Guam,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
USA
Aid our IT department with administrative tasks!
Administrative,
Information Technology,
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Use your knowledge about the people of Afghanistan to bring the good news to this hard-pressed people group!
Administrative,
Project Management,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Featured,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Work with an international team to record, edit and produce media content for global distribution.
A-V Production,
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
USA
Analyze audience responses to help improve our ministry to the unreached!
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Information Technology,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
USA
Offer your experience in operational management to improving our global operation processes!
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Engineering,
Information Technology,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Connect churches’ global outreach calling to TWR’s international media ministry!
Administrative,
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Invest your data management and reporting talents in missions to help reach the world for Christ!
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Featured,
Full Time,
Information Technology,
Missionary,
USA
After years of mission experience with Operation Mobilization (OM), Samuël and Ximena Bekx joined the TWR Europe and CAMENA...
Administrative,
Europe
I’m thrilled to use creative media to tell the story of Jesus! This is a great challenge for me to coach and instruct...
Administrative,
Europe
After a long journey that led him to Canada for his studies, he came to know Christ personally. The idea of mission then...
Administrative,
Europe
Kelly Cunningham serves in Europe/CAMENA as a member of the marketing and development team in Cyprus. She assists with...
Europe,
Marketing
Kalman and Annamarie are Hungarian-born Americans who started their ministry with TWR in Monaco in 1984. Their first...
Europe,
Information Technology
Ilona Fieret lives and works in Barneveld, The Netherlands. She is an administrative assistant for the Media Services...
Administrative,
Europe
Samuel studied business, theology and social work in Bratislava and Switzerland. Most of his career, he has worked with young...
Administrative,
Leadership,
Europe
HyunJung Lee has been working part-time with TWR since May 2011 as an administrative assistant in the Europe Media Services...
Administrative,
Europe
The Pletts have been in Bratislava in one form or another since 1996. Daniel arrived as a single and now is accompanied by wife...
Europe
Joe Barker was born in Canada and grew up as a pastor’s son in Canada, the U.S. and the Bahamas before studying communications...
Global,
Leadership
Lonnie joined TWR in September 2017. He is the author of Every Man A Warrior, a men’s ministry discipleship curriculum that has...
Global,
Leadership
Harry has been with TWR since 1981 and spent his first 14 years on Guam, followed by 23.5 years in the Netherlands. He and his...
Administrative,
Global
After serving in Austria and Cyprus, Laura serves as Assistant Caretaker of the TWR Lodge welcoming staff and guests visiting...
Administrative,
Marketing,
Global
Tyler and Jennifer were married in 2015 and spent their first couple years of marriage in Oregon before they relocated to North...
Global,
Leadership,
Marketing
The Detwilers have been with TWR since September 1982 serving in Eswatini (Swaziland), Monaco, the Netherlands and the U.S....
Administrative,
Finance,
Global
For the past four decades, God has taken us on a journey serving in Christian radio. Our heart is to see every person on earth...
Global,
Leadership
Hi, I'm Kelly! After I graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in Broadcasting and Digital Media, I served as a...
A-V Production,
Global
Andrew serves as adaptation coordinator for TWR MOTION, our film ministry.
A-V Production,
Global