The Somali Bible Societyβs most urgent need today has gone by many names. This proposed ministry center has been known as a βSafe House.β In fact, the future facility will be a safe house for the operations and ministries of the Somali Bible Society and for our local church partners. It has also been called the βBible House.β That is also a very appropriate name since this facility will house our Bible translation activities, Bible distribution operations, and become a hub for Bible engagement for the Somali Peninsula. Finally, the name that has stuck is the βGood Samaritan Center.β This name expresses the holistic mission of the Somali Bible Society (SBS). Our objective is to facilitate Somali people everywhere to engage with Godβs Word. We have done this by conducting a first-time-ever Christian Census to identify the needs of the people and to design ministries to address those needs. SBS assists widows through micro-enterprise opportunities, conducts trauma healing conferences for broken hearts and minds, provides literacy training for the illiterate, reaches the nomadic populations through camel ministries, trains pastors and evangelists, and, yes, we translate and distribute Bibles.
We identify the needs of the Somali people and then we find ways to meet both their temporal and eternal needs. The Good Samaritan Center will be the hub of communication, training, and operations for all of these ministries. The proposed four-story building will provide 10,000 square feet of office, classroom, and conference space to facilitate the operations of this ministry hub. And it will also provide 5,000 square feet of rental space for office and meeting rooms. We expect an income stream of $2,000 monthly (minimum) from this rental space. For photos and additional detail of this four-story ministry center, see the August 2024 issue here. |
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The Somali Bible Society stepped out by faith one year ago this month and entered into a two year contract with a real estate firm to purchase a building site for the Good Samaritan Center. Finding a secure location in the heart of Somalia is both a difficult and expensive venture. After finding such a location we signed a contract promising to pay in full a purchase price of $240,000. I know that is a large price to pay for a building site, but again, the land had to come with a relatively secure location. We have now finished our first year on the contract with just one year remaining to complete the full payment amount. |
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In the first year of our two year purchase contract our generous donors gave $50,900 toward the purchase of the Good Samaritan Center building site. While these donations are greatly appreciated, we still have another $189,100 yet to raise for this critical project. The thermometer to monitor our progress indicates we have raised 21.2% of our goal in year one of this two-year fund raising venture. |
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You can be a part of purchasing this secure building site in the heart of Somalia by purchasing one square foot (or more) of this strategic location. Although the cost of this property is $240,000,Β the cost of one square foot is only $58 USD.Β For a donation of $58 you can be a part of securing the purchase of this property that will facilitate ministry and provide an income stream for the Somali Bible Society. |
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Secure GSC Building Site 4306 Square Feet |
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As of today, we have 877 of the total 4,306 square-foot property financed. We are asking you to pray as to what God might want you to donate to complete this property procurement. We have only one year remaining to raise these funds, so your donation is urgently needed and will be greatly appreciated, whether you help us purchase one square foot or more. If you are unable to give toward this project at this time, please pray for this need. |
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Donation Options - Purchase: 1 Sq.Ft. Β Β Β Β Β Β $ Β Β Β 58 5 Sq.Ft. Β Β Β Β Β Β $ Β Β 290 10 Sq.Ft. Β Β Β Β Β $ Β Β 580 100 Sq.Ft. Β Β Β Β $ 5,800 Β Β Β
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| | Insert PROJECT #102852 and note GSC on Donation Page in Project #/Comments field. |
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Consider making your donation a recurring monthly donation. If that is not possible, your one-time donation will still make a difference in building Godβs Kingdom in Somalia for these unreached Islamic people.
You can also give to any one of our other ministry projects by clicking the same donation button above. Just note the project # of your preference. |
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You can obtain a free copy of a digital Somali New Testament or a complete Bible by clicking links or scanning QR codes below: |
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| | | Click Link to Somali Bible |
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| Scan Somali Bible QR Code |
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IS GOD CALLING YOU TO SERVE? |
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| Is God Calling You? The Somali Bible Society is currently recruiting missionaries to serve in various countries around the globe. We need missionaries in the major cities of the USA and in most world regions outside of the USA. If you, or someone you know, would like to discuss the possibility of involvement in a mission to the Somali people in some region of the world, or even somewhere in the USA, email me:
howie@somalibiblesociety.org |
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PRAYER REQUESTS
#1) Pray for God to provide donors for the Good Samaritan Center building site. We praise God for the $50,100 raised so far, but we need an additional $189,100 to complete the purchase by no later than July 2026.
#2) Pray for the spiritual awakening of the people of Somalia so that their hearts may be open to the Gospel message. We are currently seeing 100+ Somali Muslims turning to Christ every day. We are praying for 1000+ new Somali disciples every day. That would require an anointing of God to fall upon the Somalia people.
#3) Pray for protection and boldness for Christian missionaries and workers in Somalia as they share the message of Christ. Somalia is a very Gospel-resistant nation. Our missionaries and local church workers need your prayer.
#4) Pray for the establishment of underground churches that can grow and disciple new believers in safety. The Church in Somalia meets in house churches, where all worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission takes place.
#5) Pray that the Somali government and leaders will seek peace and stability and create an environment where the Gospel can be shared freely. God is able to change governments and cultures in ways to provide open doors for the Gospel.
#6) Pray for the youth in Somalia that they may seek truth and find hope in Jesus amidst difficulties. The median age in Somalia in 2025 is 15.6 years. This means that half the population is younger than 15.6 years old. This shows how important it is to reach the Somali young people. |
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| PRAISE REPORTS
#1) SBS has an increasing donor base, supporting all of their life-changing ministries. Praise the Lord for His speaking to the hearts of His people globally to support the mission in Somalia.
#2) SBS is planning a series of training conferences in Somalia to take place in the near future with funds provided by a local church in Arizona. Praise God that this financial gift will equip and mobilize approximately 100 Somali evangelists.
#3) There has been no record of even one camel herder coming to Christ in recorded history until the Somali Bible Society and their local church partners began taking the Gospel to these nomadic people on the back of a camel. Praise the Lord for the creative efforts of our Somali leaders to reach the unreached in the uttermost parts of the earth.
#4) We are seeing Somali Muslims come to Christ through all of our projects and ministries. Our approach to ministry is to see healing of body and soul for each person who comes into contact with the SBS. Praise God for the holistic approach of the Somali Bible Society (SBS) and their local church partners.
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Somali Bible Society (SBS) Somali-registered Non-profit Making Christ-like Disciples Thru Bible Engagement |
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| Somali Bible Society Network (SBSN) US-registered 501c3 Non-profit Developing Financial & Human Resources for SBS |
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Click on links below for websites and social media platforms. |
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AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS |
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Dr. Howie Shute is available to speak in Mission Conventions, Faith Promise Services, Local Church Missionary Meetings, Sunday Services, and Breakfast/Lunch Meetings to raise awareness of the exciting possibilities in the mission to Somalia.
Attention Church Leaders: Β I will be available to speak in churches in Upstate New York in the months of June through September. Β Please contact me for scheduling. |
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