The Talk Place

Blogs with inside information and personal opinions from GRN members around the world

Millions can’t read in Australia!

Richard & Heather Roper - Friday 20 July 2007

There are apparently about 1,000,000 people in Australia that can’t or have difficulty in reading according to the TV. In fact it is such a concern that the government is setting about a campaign to encourage people to learn to read by getting then to call 1300 655 506 with a catchy jingle to help people remember he number.

If we were turning this number into a percentage I imagine that there is an equivalent percentage in other first world countries. It behooves us as Christians to consider these people too when we set about preaching the Gospel in our own country.

At GRN we concentrate our work overseas. Because there are so many people groups that either don't read or choose not to or don't think something is important if it is not communicated by story or musically.

Our vision and mission statement however is:

Our Vision: That people might hear and understand God's word in their heart language - especially those who are oral communicators and those who do not have Scriptures in a form they can access.

Our Mission: In partnership with the church, to effectively communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ by means of culturally appropriate audio and audio-visual materials in every language.

So doesn't that include those who can't read in this country? Not just those who can't read English?

In my own church one of our members can’t read very well and has decided that it is too much to try to learn now. Whilst it is true that there is a significant amount of Christian material available to non readers in this country, GRN material is the material that I know. So I’ve decided that I am going to give him some of our Look Listen and Live discipleship information.

I’ll let you know what he thinks.