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The Living Word in the Warm Heart of Africa
—The findings described by the Patmos Cluster research resonate with the realities the Bible Society of Malawi witness on the ground.
Malawi, known affectionately as ‘The Warm Heart of Africa,’ is a nation of breathtaking beauty and resilient people. Yet beneath this beauty lie profound challenges. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, and people grapple daily with economic instability, food insecurity and increasingly devastating storms and drought from climate change. Over 80% of Malawi identifies as Christian, and the church is a central pillar of community life. However, this faith is often tested by hardship and a lack of deep, personal engagement with Scripture. The Bible is revered, but for many it remains inaccessible due to cost, illiteracy or a lack of access to it in a heart-language. The Bible Society of Malawi (BSM) seeks to ensure that the transformative power of God’s Word is accessible to every Malawian, providing light and hope in their own language.
Despite interest, economic hardship is a barrier to Scripture access. Malawi is predominantly an oral culture where stories, songs, and proverbs transmit wisdom and truth, so the Bible Society focus on engagement through literacy and digital reach. In rural areas they use audio Bibles, storytelling and listening groups. Bible literacy groups help learners gain literacy skills and spiritual knowledge, transforming their lives, families and communities. Urban areas such as Blantyre and Lilongwe are a challenge, where young people are drifting from the churches but are digitally active. There are plans for a dedicated Bible app in Chichewa and local languages, and for distributing audio Bibles on small, affordable SD cards.
The people of Malawi face deep societal wounds, from gender-based violence to the trauma left by natural disasters, but the Bible Society of Malawi are seeing the Bible bring comfort and reconciliation. Alex Sakala (21 years old) was trapped in Lilongwe, in a cycle of heavy drinking, drugs and fleeting relationships. Alex recalls, “I was sinking deep into a dangerous life,” until one day it all fell apart. Within the walls of a mental institution, Alex’s life was filled by profound silence. Through counselling, Alex’s heart changed, and a deep spiritual hunger awoke. He asked for prayer, and a Bible. After his discharge, Alex was given his first Bible by the Bible Society of Malawi, and it was a lifeline. “I was overjoyed because of this precious gift,” he says. “I started reading the Bible, and it has brought a new meaning to my life.” The Word began to heal what medicine alone could not, as he held on to Jesus’ words: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Compiled with Mphatso Wiseman Bello, Chief Executive Officer of the Bible Society of Malawi
The conflict has claimed the lives of over 150,000 people, and the United Nations has said that the region is witnessing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Prior to the beginning of the war, the average annual income was around £600, and government officials report an eighty percent decrease in the state’s revenue over the past year.
The Bible Society in Sudan (BSS) is not immune to these problems, and its staff are scattered across Sudan and the surrounding countries. Several staff were missing and uncontactable for a period of many months, and others have relocated to Egypt, Israel and Ethiopia. After two years of war, a Christian in the Sudanese army who was able to visit the offices of the BSS reported it to be greatly damaged. Several church buildings were destroyed when fighters were suspected of using them as hiding places.
This destruction is mirrored in the lives of Sudanese refugees. The BSS has been able to work with many of the women (often widows) and the young people who have fled Sudan, offering programmes of Bible engagement and seeking to increase literacy and education in the Sudanese ‘diaspora’. The work of BSS currently focuses on the Trauma Healing programme being run for Sudanese refugees in Egypt, where more than 350,000 Sudanese people have fled.
