Across Teesside, more people are asking questions about Jesus, exploring Christianity, and stepping through church doors. This autumn, churches across the region will respond together through Bible Conversations: Teesside, an initiative led by Bible Society in partnership with Transforming Teesside Together.
From 1 September until mid-October, a major awareness campaign will use billboards, buses, bus stops, social media, and other advertising to invite thousands of people to discover scripture. The campaign includes 12,000 Luke and Acts resources, with specially printed guides for exploring the Bible with friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues, and others curious about faith.
Churches across Stockton, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland are creating opportunities to continue those conversations. Eston with Normanby is already running courses, with more planned later this year, while St Cuthbert’s, Marton has prepared through a sermon series and will offer Alpha and The Bible Course this autumn. Other churches will host courses, small groups, one-to-one conversations, and relaxed spaces where people can explore the Christian faith together.
To help people take their first step, the Diocese of York has created a Start with the Bible page. It offers a simple introduction to the Bible, suggestions about where to begin, accessible reading and listening formats, resources for regular reading, and opportunities to explore questions with others. Parishes can also download an A5 flyer to print and insert in Bibles linking to the online resource.
Bishop of Whitby, Barry Hill, said “It is an increasingly regular occurrence for us as bishops to meet people who have just started coming to church one day, without any Christian background. When asking why, people often say they picked up a Bible one day, started reading and it led them to Jesus Christ. We shouldn’t be surprised, after all the apostle Peter declared to Jesus, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’
“At the same time, some guidance in knowing where to start is also important and so I commend this new diocesan-wide resource, which can be printed inside bibles your parish give out or leave for people to take and links to a webpage with simple guidance. Please be holding this particularly wonderful opportunity across Teesside to share hope and life in your prayers, for fruitful conversations led by God’s Spirit.”
Before the public campaign begins, parishes are invited to take part in a Teesside Week of Prayer and Fasting from 17–23 August.
The week begins with a Bible Conversations Prayer Service at St Barnabas Church, Middlesbrough, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Monday 17 August. The gathering is free, and everyone is welcome. Register for the prayer service.
Please join us in praying for Teesside, for churches preparing to welcome people, and for everyone who will encounter God’s Word through the campaign.
Not connected with the campaign yet?
Looking to explore the Bible with others?
