Growing Timothys: Share the Benefits of a Good Book

What does a good Christian book mean to you? Books can be a source of encouragement or enlightenment, and can help us to apply the truths of God’s Word to our lives and our thinking. They can challenge and correct our thoughts and behaviour, stir us to action, and equip us to serve God wherever we are. We can be hugely blessed in our spiritual lives by the written word – and there is a way to share these blessings with our Christian brothers and sisters around the world, through Growing Timothys.

Growing Timothys is a scheme run by IVP which resources leaders in Africa and across the majority world with quality IVP books. We aim to support worldwide leaders who are nurturing and discipling others, as St. Paul nurtured and discipled the young leader Timothy. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:1-2: 'So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me - the whole congregation saying Amen! - to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.' (The Message)

Through Growing Timothys, we can reach a spread of people and places with valuable resources, and we work with various mission organisations who fund postage and provide reliable routes of transportation for these books. Recent projects have included sending resources to a ministry working with street children in Uganda, and we plan to send books to a bible college in Tanzania in early 2013.

We hope to continue to develop the scheme in various ways, including providing books for libraries to be set up by Langham, and considering alternative electronic options. We have also been privileged to support Joanna Ilboudo, founder and executive director of ACTS Ministry in Burkina Faso, as she attended the Littworld 2012 international Christian publishing conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

You can play an important role in this exciting work and help to share the many benefits of Christian books with others who may not otherwise have access to such resources. When you buy with us (on site or in participating bookshops), you are not only benefitting yourself and those whom you serve and minister to, but you are also helping to equip Christians in the worldwide church to serve where they are. 20% of the price of books and resources you buy will go towards giving books to leaders in the majority world. The amount being donated towards Growing Timothys will show at the top of the page when you begin to add products to your basket on our site.

If you know someone involved in leadership or nurturing future leaders in the majority world who could benefit from the Growing Timothys scheme, let us know.