Feed the spiritually hungry world

When was the last time you met someone inspiring?

For me it was during my recent visit to Book Aid in Sydenham. I went to interview Book Aid’s founder, Bob Hiley, for a future issue of Together and spent time with one of the
most inspirational men in the world of Christian literature. His story is amazing and humbling; but Bob isn’t only inspirational person there. There’s Ada, Bob’s wife, and Malcolm and Jenny, and Philomena from Kenya, and Ama who is Ghanaian, who have years of service despatching Bibles and books to Africa, India and other parts of the world. They were just about to ship their 313th container of books (to Kenya) when I was there.

Philomena told me of the incredible hunger for Bibles and books in her country, and it’s the same in all the countries Book Aid work with. It struck me that, as we publish the Together Magazine Guide to Selling the Bible in this issue (did you get yours?*) there are people all over the world who would cherish just having a Bible of their own to read. For example James Catford’s article on p14 tells a little of the situation in China. So whilst we in this country are spoiled for choice, and can be ‘picky’ over which Bible we decide to use, millions (still) wait, sometimes for many years, for a Bible of their own.

Let’s thank God for the amazing resources we have the opportunity to share with others here in the so-called ‘fi rst world’ but also commit to supporting those, like Bob and his team, who seek to serve and meet the needs of those in the ‘third world’. Please consider helping Book Aid with donations of books (and money for shipping).

Back in the early 80s a bloke called Bob started a movement called Band Aid to “feed the world”. In 1987 another Bob started a ministry called Book Aid to (spiritually) feed the world. Thank God for both – but especially the latter! As Bob Hiley takes a step back after 60 years ministry we say thank you and “well done thou good and faithful servant”.

Why are any of us in the world of Christian literature at all? Well, like Bob, it must be because we want to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to a spiritually hungry world – it certainly isn’t for the money! So it’s good to encourage one another whenever we can, because it can often seem lonely out there. That’s why the stories we publish on the Retailer News pages are so important – and such a blessing to me when I get them from readers. The recent CRT Regional Training Day in Salford (see p6) was a great opportunity to get together, learn from one another and share ideas. There is already a call for further such events and hopefully these will happen soon. In the meantime can I encourage you to book your place at the CRT Retailers and Suppliers Retreat in September (see p38) for a great time of fellowship, encouragement and, hopefully, inspiration. There are still a few spaces so book your place now.

I do hope you enjoy yet another bumper issue of Together magazine and I wish you all a fruitful summer. See you for more inspiration in September