Literacy

About

Literacy Missions ministry reaches out into communities, meeting the literacy needs of adults, children, and youth while sharing the gospel and demonstrating the love of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Through Literacy Missions, Southern Baptist churches and associations have a way to reach out to their communities, meeting needs while sharing the good news of Jesus. Literacy Missions ministry changes lives, not just for individuals, but for whole families!

What we do

Have you ever felt called to the mission field? God is so great! Internationals are now here from all over the world! You can share the gospel with internationals in your own community while teaching English, through Literacy Missions ministry.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus
(Matthew 28:19)

Why is mission through literacy important?

How many times a day do you use your ability to read? How often have you read your Bible, thanking God for teaching you something you did not know? There are adults in our communities who are functionally illiterate. There are also children and youth who have trouble with reading, as well as math and other school subjects. You can help an adult learn to read or you can tutor a struggling student, through Literacy Missions ministry!

 

“Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

Revelation 1:3

Workshops

Workshops developed by the North American Mission Board are available to train volunteers for working in all three areas of Literacy Missions. In these workshops, you will learn not only how to teach students the needed concepts, but also how to organize a ministry and most importantly, how to share your faith with students while ministering to them.

We’ll cover subjects like:

  • Organizing a ministry
  • Using teaching materials and resources
  • Locating and placing students
  • Lesson planning
  • Understanding students’ needs
  • Sharing your faith with students

Currently Available Training Tracks

English as a Second Language

You’ll learn to share the Gospel while teaching internationals how to speak English. This workshop includes information about introducing new vocabulary, pronunciation, working with advanced students, and dealing with cultural misunderstandings.

Adult Reading and Writing

The Adult Reading and Writing training teaches you to share Christ while assisting adult English-speaking, low-level readers. This workshop includes information about teaching reading skills to adults using the Laubach Way to Reading and the Bible, and helping students with learning differences. An ARW ministry can be a powerful outreach for your church or association

Tutoring Children and Youth

You’ll help students build reading and other academic skills. This workshop includes information about helping with reading, writing, and math; and helping students who have learning differences.

Those who complete these trainings receive a certificate from the National Literacy Missions Partnership, through the North American Mission Board.*

Past Workshops

Oklahoma Baptists Literacy Missions held two workshops this summer, training 27 people: a Tutoring Children and Youth Workshop took place on June 28-29 at First Baptist Church, Mustang; and an English as a Second Language Workshop was held on July 26-27 at Council Road Baptist, OKC. Those who completed the 12 hours of training are now ready to share the Gospel as they meet the practical literacy needs of their students! 

[Those pictured for the Tutoring Children and Youth Workshop, L-R:

Cheryl Wilkinson, leader; Beth Coppoc, Afrika Pruitt, JoNell Haden, John Ryan, Janelle Breiding; Barbara Marlett, leader]

[Those pictured for the English as a Second Language Workshop, L-R:

Back row–Martha Wilson, leader; Glenda Fournier, Tony Fournier, Steve Pelphrey, Diana Fine, Jean Peterson, Heather Blackburn, Rhonda Malahy, 

         Deidre Hopkins, Rhonda Boyce, Becky Horrigan, LaDayne Hardage, Terry Hardage, Xavier Robles

Front row–Deb Chamberlain, Heather Murr, Fay Tilley, Beth Corcoran, Anita Charlson, Valerie Haynes, Marissa Crowson

          Not pictured- Stacy Neuschaefer, leader]