An evangelical charity is to donate over 10,000 books to plug the gap in theological resources worldwide.
The launch of Langham Partnership’s ‘Books for Bible Colleges’ initiative coincides with World Book Day today.
The initiative is being driven by a “critical shortage” of theological resources within the Majority World that the charity says is feeding right into a “global leadership crisis” and hindering the event of degree programmes.
According to the charity, over 80 per cent of pastors within the Majority World lack any formal training, and plenty of college and seminary libraries would not have sufficient resources to show them.
Further challenges lie within the “heavy reliance” on resources authored by Western Christians.
The initiative will allow Bible colleges to pick from 7,200 books within the Langham catalogue to create their very own core library and even gain accreditation.
Participating colleges will receive a £300 grant and logistics and shipping will even be covered.
Simon Foulds, Development Manager for Langham UK and Ireland, said: “Now greater than ever, we want to equip Christian leaders with great potential who face poverty, pressure, and persecution each day.
“Every church deserves a well-trained leader, and Langham wants to make sure every aspiring church leader has access to a stocked library before they preach from the pulpit. The foundation of theologically sound study and training can’t be underrated.
“In the West our access to books is so widespread that we will take our education and libraries as a right. How lots of us have Christian books on our shelves that we have bought but never read?”
Rev Rose Chemegemet, Academic Dean on the Kima International School of Theology (KIST), said: “The entire staff at KIST are very grateful for the books which Langham has provided for the Church in Africa. Thank you a lot to everyone who donates to Langham for making such an ideal impact within the training ministry of the worldwide church.”
