In January 2022, Christianity Explored Ministries launched its latest evangelistic resource, Hope Explored – a three-session course on the hope, peace and purpose found in Luke’s Gospel and the Christian faith.
During the spring and summer, over 500 churches in the UK implemented the materials as part of their evangelism. More recently, it’s had an increasingly international impact.
Viva a Esperança – ‘live in hope’
Shortly after publication in the UK, the Brazilian ministry Pregue a Palavra (Preach the Word) learned about Hope Explored. Pregue a Palavra saw Hope Explored as a great resource for encouraging pastors in Brazil to use the Bible in evangelism. A partnership was formed between Pregue a Palavra, Christianity Explored Ministries and Editora Crista Evangelica publishers to create a Portuguese version of the Hope Explored material – called Viva a Esperança.
Viva a Esperança was officially introduced on 24–28 October at the Pregue a Palavra 2022 Congress in Atibia, Brazil. Christianity Explored team members Jubiracy da Silva, Craig Dyer and Ian Roberts participated in the event. Da Silva shared that there was a clear atmosphere of excitement during the conference: ‘We had five workshops planned during the week. The Brazilian pastors were so excited about the course that the congress leaders offered one of their own workshop slots so that we could do a Q&A with pastors eager to know more about it. Pastors want more training sessions happening in other regions of Brazil and we are having conversations about doing that in 2023 and 2024.’
The Great Commission on campus
Over in Asia, Revd Tim Philips, Director of Christianity Explored in Malaysia, observed that Hope Explored also resonates well with people who have an Eastern worldview. Churches in Malaysia and Singapore have found that the materials stimulate good discussions about life and faith. One example of this was a recent series run at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. Rebecca Chung chose the Hope Explored materials for their student mission week ‘because we wanted a resource which brings the Word to the community.’
Rebecca explained how ‘the birth of NTU Hope Explored was anchored on the mission of fulfilling the Great Commission on campus by reaching a multitude of nations with the gospel, as NTU is an opportune place where students of different nationalities and backgrounds all come together to study. Throughout Hope Explored, God has brought in students from across eight different nationalities such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Cambodia, China, India, and Czech Republic, with many of them claiming to have heard the gospel for the very first time.’
Hope that works
Louanne Enns, International Operations Manager for Christianity Explored Ministries, reports that Czech and Latvian translations of Hope Explored are also underway, with plans for completion in 2023. ‘It’s encouraging, but shouldn’t be surprising that Hope Explored works in many contexts and cultures. Hope is in short supply these days. People everywhere are looking for good news – and this short course is a wonderful way to point people to Jesus.’
