Literacy Missions and Ministries

Share God's love by meeting literacy needs

1.  English as a Second Language

2.  Adult Reading/Writing

3.  Tutoring Children/Youth 

  /files/Pictures/Evangelism/Ministry Evangelism/ESL Class2.jpgMeeting the literacy needs of those in your community dramatically opens doors for your church to share the good news of Jesus Christ. English is a strange language, is it not? Not the strangest surely, but not the most regular in its spelling or grammar either. It is an historical hodgepodge. It is also the language most in demand across the planet.

The teaching of English, then, is desired in many places. Immigrants to our country, adults who never learned how to read or write and children who are struggling with language skills are all groups in which the church can have impact through teaching language skills. Just imagine persons unable to read the Bible! 

HOW CAN SOMEONE BEGIN A LITERACY MINISTRY?

Fluency in another language or previous teaching experience is not needed.  To start a ministry, only one person is needed who is committed to Jesus Christ and has a desire to serve and learn.

The BCNE can offer assistance and resources in your beginning a literacy ministry. We host ESL workshops annually for those interested in starting a ministry.

For more information, email:  Tim Buehner
or

Josh Brownfield

The Three Domains Of Literacy Missions Ministry:  
  1. English as a Second Language

    2. Teaching someone to speak English provides opportunities for sharing the good news of the gospel.  Some students are from countries where they have never heard the gospel.  Each year new churches are started as a result of this ministry.

  2. Adult Reading/Writing

    3. Meeting one-one-one with an adult who cannot read provides opportunities for the tutor to be a friend and share God's love and redemption.  More than 20% of adults in the United States-approximately 44 million people-read at or below the fifth grade level. Often their language skills are the leading factor for their being able to find gainful employment to support their families. How will they read the Bible? 

  3. Tutoring Children/Youth
    4. Tutoring children and youth who are struggling with their schoolwork is a wonderful opportunity for tutors to develop relationships and demonstrate Christ's love.  Children with non-English speaking parents are in great need of this service.


    Resources for Literacy Ministries:

    • Literacy Connexus - A site developed by Baptist General Convention of Texas and Baylor University.
    • Delta Publishing - One of the larger producers of curriculum and resources for literacy training.
    • NAMB site for Literacy Ministries
    • Ethnic Harvest - This site is devoted to resources for reaching internationals and ESL. Lots of resources.
    • Alta ESL - Literacy curriculum and resource publisher.
    • ProLiteracy America , is the largest adult literacy organization in the United States. It was established October 1, 2002, with the merger of Laubach Literacy and Literacy Volunteers of America.
    • The BCNE has a lending library of ESL resources. Contact Sandy Coelho at 508-393-6013 , ext 234 or sjcoelho@aol.com who will be able to provide a list of lendable items.
    • Go to your local library. There are tremendous resources available to help in this work.