16th June, 2014
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PICTURE: www.freeimages.com |
Millions of Scripture booklets will be handed out in Brazil during the FIFA World Cup under a program being run by the Bible Society of Brazil and its partners.
The society has provided four million Scripture booklets and 20,000 copies of the Gospel of John in Portuguese and eight other languages to be distributed and has also published special World Cup editions of the Portuguese Bible and New Testament.
They will be distributed through 1,600 churches and other Christian ministries the Bible Society has brought together through its Joga Limpo Brasil (Fair Play Brasil) movement.
Under the initiative – which was inspired by the vision that led the Apostle Paul to travel to Corinth, host of the Isthmian Games, to share his faith – hundreds of volunteers will help football fans in the 12 host cities to find their way around and will talk to them about faith and offer Scriptures.
"Brazilians are football mad and their obsession with football will reach fever pitch over the next few weeks…" said Dr Rudi ZImmer, of the Bible Society of Brazil, last week.
"We want the Bible to have a prominent presence amidst all the excitement. It’s an unprecedented opportunity for churches and Christians here to share God’s Word with local and foreign fans, and we want to equip and encourage them to do that."
Millions of local and international fans are expected to attend the World Cup.
"We want as many people as possible to get the chance to hear about God’s love for them, so please pray for this outreach at the World Cup," Dr Zimmer said.
