“Beloved Listeners”

Storytelling is the language of experience, and when we tell Bible stories, we are helping ourselves to truly experience Jesus Christ even in our lives, and not just have him as a person even in our heads.

Rev. George Vimensi Minang, “Biblical Storytelling” radio program launch

In the June-July post we wrote about our friend in Cameroon who launched a biblical storytelling program on CBC Radio Bamenda. We have received an audio recording of the program which I highly commend to you. You will not only hear an excellent presentation about biblical storytelling, but also enjoy hearing the voice of a courageous pastoral leader in West Africa.

In Minang’s own words this radio program is “geared at encouraging people to learn and tell Bible stories, even from the heart, so that they can be able to connect the stories of the Bible with the stories of their lives, so that transformation and healing can happen in the situations that they find themselves…especially in times like these.”

In this first episode, you will get an clear and concise introduction to biblical storytelling: what it is, what are its values, and why it is relevant for Christians in Africa (and elsewhere). Following this introduction, Rev. Minang tells the story of Jesus raising a widow’s son in both English and Pidgin (spoken widely in Cameroon and other West African countries) with reflections on the meaning and significance of this story for today.

A gift for you, “beloved listener”–from Cameroon:

Visit the story page for the story of Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17).

Tom Responds to the Radio Program Launch

Dear Friends,
I have just listened to George Vimensi Minang’s first program of biblical storytelling in Cameroon. This is a historic moment. A hope since the formation of the Network in 1977 has been that the stories would be told in digital media. Minang has done it! I can’t overdo my joy at hearing this program. Thank you, Minang, for having the courage and faith to do this. This is an extension of God’s energy to communicate with the persons of the world. In the midst of the global pandemic and the political crisis in Cameroon, the telling of the stories is a sign of the presence of God’s spirit in the world. It is a gesture of hope and peace.

One of the distinctive joys of this program is the telling of the story in both English and in Pidgin. The structure of the program—introduction to biblical storytelling, the telling of the story, and exploring the story in its original context and connections with our life now—works well. I’ll be interested in seeing what responses the program generates. A key to that impact will be persistence. The regular weekly program will be generative as it becomes a regular part of people’s lives.  

Another dimension is the slow movement of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, one of the most beautiful musical compositions. It creates a background of beauty and calm for the beautiful voice of the storyteller. My connection is that my son, Michael, played and I accompanied this very piece for a musical competition when he was twelve years old. His winning that competition was one of the joys of my life. It was a victory for him that gave us both life and energy. 

This will be generative in ways beyond our imagination. It will be thrilling to see what happens. 

Peace and joy,
Tom