The view from Africa

The first Bible commentary written exclusively by African theologians was launched late last year in Kenya by Zondervan. Involving contributors from 25 nations, The Africa Bible Commentary utilizes folklore, songs and traditional wisdom to explore scripture; it also deals with issues such as AIDS, ethnic strife, witchcraft and female circumcision. The purpose is to present the Bible's message through the filter of African culture. "When Paul was writing to the Jewish people, he used a lot of Jewish culture and their customs and traditions," editor Tokunboh Adeyemo told the BBC. He described the commentary as "a weaving of word of the Bible and the word of Africa.

Columbia III at 50

This past summer, a missions veteran was honoured when the 50th anniversary of the launch of the hospital ship Columbia III was observed. She was one of the last in a long line of ships maintained by the Anglican Church's Columbia Coast Mission. The B.C. ministry provided medical, religious and social services to remote settlements, logging camps and First Nations villages along the inner coast from 1905 to the late 1960s. The Columbia Coast Mission saved hundreds of lives by being on the spot at logging camp accidents. The mission also provided a cherished social outlet.

Word Man's greatest hits

Jack Popjes wants to give you A Poke in the Ribs. That's the name of the veteran Canadian missionary's new book. Also known as The Word Man, Popjes writes a weekly online column. At the urging of Wycliffe Bible Translators, he agreed to compile 52 of the columns. The results have drawn admiration from Christian leaders such as T.V. Thomas, who wrote: "This rare collection of insightful and incisive mini-messages will engage your mind and enliven your heart." Painter and author Hyatt Moore stated: "Jack writes like he's in the [boxing] ring, and he's not one you easily forget. Nor do you wonder about his opinion." Contact: TheWordMan.ca

Fanning the Flame

Full Flame is an evangelistic film series produced by Christ For All Nations (CFAN) and distributed by Integrity Media. The series contains seven episodes - plus a dramatic introductory short film, Lost at Sea, in which passengers on a ship refuse to come to the aid of those who are drowning in the waters around them. Other episodes combine teachings of CFAN's Reinhard Bonnke with allegories and dramatic segments. "We are excited about the movement of the spirit of God through this series," says Bonnke, "and pray that the church catches the vision of the worldwide rescue operation in which we are engaged." Contact: fullflamemovie.com, or 1-800-239-7000.

Who is he really?

Available now from Standard Publishing, Jesus No Equal takes teens on a spiritual journey - examining Jesus' life, death, resurrection and second coming to help them discover the real Jesus. With an accompanying journal, it is a six-week discipling resource that challenges teens to intimately know Christ. "Jesus wants you to know him for who he really is, not who you think he is, who you want him to be, or who your friends think he is," writes author Barry St. Clair.

Surfing with porpoise

Yes, it is a play on words. No, it's not a jab at The Purpose Driven Life, the best-seller by Rick Warren. The Porpoise Diving Life, a website created by Bill Dahl, is billed as "reality for the rest of us." Dahl's mission is to pick up where he believes Warren's book peters out. "What Warren's theology did for me," he says, "[was to] illuminate the pathway ahead, beyond where he left off." Launched last February, the site now attracts a faithful following of more than 10,000 web surfers in some 100 countries. Contact: theporpoisedivinglife.com. - Assist News Service

This Bible means business

Recently published in Australia by the New South Wales branch of the Bible Society, The Business Bible is an edition of the Good News version of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, with personal testimonies from leading Christian business people in the opening pages. "Just to stay on top of such critical issues as human resource management, personal and company tax and industrial law is a big task," said Bible Society NSW CEO Daniel Willis. "The Bible is a source of real guidance on how we should live - even in the corporate jungle." Contact: www.bible.com.au

Mission Fields Spring 2007