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KINGDOM NEWS from the Somali Bible Society (SBS) |
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| Dr. Howie Shute Director of Development Somali Bible Society (SBS) An-Nour University (AU) |
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Hi << Test First Name >>,
We pray that you are experiencing God’s blessing in these days. We are deeply grateful for every subscriber and donor who partners with the Somali Bible Society. |
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In this issue of Kingdom News, SBS celebrates the faithful supporters helping reach Somali Muslims for Christ. Donors from seven countries now support this mission—including believers from the mission field itself. Somali Christians are not merely receiving help; they are actively leading, serving, sacrificing, and giving to advance the Gospel among their own people.
As a donor or prayer supporter, you are partnering with believers who are fully invested in the mission alongside you.
Thank you for your generosity. Your support is making an eternal impact. More than 200 Somali Muslims are coming to Christ each day as God moves powerfully throughout the Somali Peninsula. Together, this global partnership is helping make Christlike disciples in one of the world’s most Gospel-resistant regions. |
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REACHING SOMALI MUSLIMS THROUGH GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
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A Movement of GodThrough the ministry of the Somali Bible Society and its local church partners, more than 200 Somali Muslims are coming to Christ each day. God is moving powerfully across the Somali Peninsula—one of the most Gospel-resistant regions in the world—and He is using faithful supporters from around the globe to help make this mission possible. Behind every new believer is a story of transformation through the witness, discipleship, and outreach ministries of SBS and its local church partners. Here is Mumin’s story, told in his own words.
Mumin’s Testimony My name is Mumin. I am 24 years old. I make my living by growing my camel herd. One day I was searching for a she-camel that I had lost. While searching for my camel, I encountered an SBS evangelist, who was traveling with six camels. This evangelist befriended me and joined me in searching for my lost camel. The evangelist helped me locate my camel, and then after finding the camel, he shared with me about Jesus who rescues the lost. I listened patiently to everything he had to say. I was eager to learn more. The evangelist introduced me to three Christian nomads. We began to study the Bible together regularly. After studying the Bible with these men for four months, I gave my heart to Jesus and became his follower. As I followed Jesus, he changed my life completely. Previously, I had abandoned my wife and two small children. I had been addicted to drugs. As I continued to be discipled by the Somali Bible Society, Jesus healed me from this substance abuse. The evangelist who had shared Jesus with me accompanied me when I returned home to reunite with my family. The reunion was a joyful one. My family was so happy and my evangelist friend was elated to see Jesus restore my life and my family relationship.
Behind Mumin’s Testimony God is using worldwide donors to fuel this mission to Somali Muslims. He used a partnership of global supporters to bring Mumin to Jesus and make him a disciple of Jesus Christ. With funds provided by donors, the SBS commissioned and deployed a Church on a Camel Back team to the remote setting where they encountered Mumin. A donor gave $6,000 to purchase six camels. Three evangelists were trained by the SBS and their local church partners with donor-provided funds. Three Somali Christians freely gave their time and energy for this ministry as volunteers without compensation.
A Story of Sacrifice
Recently, I spoke at an independent house church of about 60 people, including children. Though small in number, this congregation was deeply passionate about reaching unreached camel herders and nomadic peoples in the remote desert regions of Somalia. Their goal was to raise $6,000 to sponsor a Church on a Camel Back (COCB) team—a significant sacrifice for a church of their size. They had already been raising funds for two months before my visit, inspired by reports that existing COCB teams had led more than 70 Somali Muslim camel herders to Christ.
By the time I arrived, they had already raised enough to support two COCB teams. Then, after hearing more about the ministry that Sunday morning, many members increased their giving. In the end, I returned home with a check payable to the Somali Bible Society for $30,200.
What made this gift extraordinary was the sacrifice behind it. One young couple with a newborn baby emptied their bank account to support the mission. Another couple gave the money they had saved to repave their driveway. A single mother took on a second job and donated her entire paycheck from that work. One new Christian arrived prepared to give $600, but after the service increased his gift to $1,000.
These are only a few examples of the generosity shown by this small house church. In all my years of ministry, I have rarely witnessed such joyful and sacrificial giving for the sake of bringing others to Christ.
Global Donors Join Hands The sacrificial generosity of this independent house church stands out as an extraordinary example of commitment to reaching the Somali Peninsula. Yet they are part of a much larger community of faithful supporters.
Across the United States, many churches and individuals support the mission through monthly giving and special one-time gifts. In addition, donors from Canada, Argentina, Norway, Australia, Somaliland, and Somalia have joined together in this global effort to bring the Gospel to Somali people.
Somali Donors: An Essential Part of the PartnershipSomali believers are not merely recipients of ministry—they are active partners, sacrificial givers, and faithful servants in advancing the Gospel among their own people. Sacrificial Giving — Since January, Somali believers inside Somalia have contributed approximately $10,000 USD to support ministry efforts, despite widespread poverty and limited resources. Support for a Church on a Camel Back (COCB) Team — Inspired by the impact of COCB ministry funded by Christians in America, Somali believers united to purchase six camels for $6,000 and launched their own outreach team to serve desert nomads and camel herders. Volunteer Ministry Service — Of the 19 SBS staff members, only two receive small stipends. The remaining staff serve entirely as volunteers, donating their time, professional skills, and ministry experience. Tentmaker Evangelists — Camel Library teachers and Church on a Camel Back evangelists serve without salaries or ministry budgets, supporting themselves while dedicating their lives to Gospel ministry. Donated Agricultural Land for Widows Care — A Somali Christian donated part of his farmland so widows could grow food for their families at no cost and keep the entire harvest. Livestock Restoration for Neighbors in Crisis — After livestock disease devastated local herds in 2019, Somali believers affiliated with SBS donated goats from their own flocks to help neighboring families rebuild their livelihoods—most of them Muslim. Hospitality for Ministry Workers — Somali Christians regularly provide food, shelter, transportation, and protection for traveling evangelists, literacy teachers, and church leaders in difficult regions. Sharing During Hardship — During drought, food shortages, and economic crisis, believers continue sharing their limited food and resources with vulnerable neighbors and families. Transportation and Logistics Support — Local Christians often provide vehicles, camels, or motorbikes to transport evangelists, distribute Christian literature, and reach remote fellowships. Protection and Care for Persecuted Believers — Somali believers quietly shelter and support new Christians facing rejection, persecution, or displacement because of their faith in Christ. Volunteer Labor and Construction — Community members donate labor to repair meeting places, build shelters, transport supplies, and prepare ministry sites. Translation and Literacy Ministry — Educated Somali Christians contribute countless volunteer hours to translation, proofreading, literacy training, and Scripture preparation in the Somali language. Prayer and Spiritual Support — Many believers faithfully sustain SBS’ ministry through daily prayer, fasting, encouragement, and spiritual mentoring. Compassion for Vulnerable Families — Somali Christians regularly assist widows, orphans, abandoned mothers, and vulnerable children with food, clothing, school support, and emergency care. Generosity Across Clan Lines — In a culture often shaped by clan identity, Somali believers demonstrate Christ-centered unity by helping people beyond their own clans and families. Faithful Witness Through Suffering — Despite poverty, persecution, insecurity, and social isolation, Somali Christians continue serving Christ with courage, joy, and perseverance.
Together, these acts of generosity demonstrate that Somali believers are not only participating in the mission—they are helping lead it. |
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IMPACTING THE KINGDOM BY GIVING |
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If you would like to help make disciples like Mumin, please consider supporting Somali Bible Society Project #102852. Your gift will help establish a ministry center in the heart of Somalia dedicated to evangelism, discipleship, and equipping followers of Jesus Christ.
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You may choose to support one of the other life-changing ministries listed on our Project Donation Page. Every gift makes an eternal impact and is deeply appreciated. |
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| | Praying for Somali Christians |
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| Praising God for the Somali Church |
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| Pray for the safety and protection of SBS leaders and staff as threats against ministry workers continue to increase. Radical Islamists are targeting those they view as threats to Islam.
Pray for Dr. Howie Shute as he shares the life-changing ministry of the Somali Bible Society with a church next month. Ask God to speak powerfully through him and to inspire more churches and individuals to join this growing global mission partnership.
Pray for a great spiritual awakening across the Somali Peninsula and for multitudes of Muslims to come to Christ. More than 200 Somali Muslims are already coming to faith in Jesus each day, and we are praying and believing for 1,000 or more Somali Muslims to become disciples of Christ daily.
Pray for the Somali Bible Society as it identifies, recruits, and trains missionaries to serve Somali communities throughout the Diaspora.
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| Give thanks to God for the growing number of churches and individuals in the United States and other nations who are partnering with the Somali Bible Society. Supporters from seven countries are now helping advance the mission to Somali Muslims.
Give thanks to God for Somali Christians who sacrificially advance the Gospel in their own country through generous giving, volunteer service, and countless hours of unpaid ministry.
Give praise and thanks to God for His faithful protection over our leaders, pastors, and believers amid increasing persecution and growing threats against Somali Christians.
Give praise and thanks to God that, despite severe persecution, the Somali Church is among the fastest-growing churches in the world.
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| UPDATE ON FINANCING THE GSC BUILDING SITE |
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| In order to provide mission resilience for the Somali Bible Society (SBS) and to supply housing for training, education, and discipleship activities, the SBS is planning to build a ministry center in the heart of Somalia. We have entered into a purchase contract for the building site at a cost of $240,000. (This location that provides needed security came at a high price). |
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| The future Good Samaritan Center for the Somali Bible Society & An-Nour University (not an exact image for security reasons) |
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As of mid-April 2026, we have received $82,082 toward the $240,000 needed to purchase the building site for the Good Samaritan Center. With only two months remaining before the July 2026 deadline, we still need to raise $157,918. Our realtor has agreed to extend our agreement beyond July, but we really need to take care of the balance owed before year end.
The cost per square foot for this property is $58 USD. By contributing toward even one square foot—or more—you can play a meaningful role in helping make the Good Samaritan Center a reality.
This ministry center will significantly expand the capacity of the Somali Bible Society, its local church partners, and An-Nour University to serve the Islamic world, bringing Muslims to Christ.
While larger gifts are especially needed at this stage, contributions of any amount are deeply appreciated and make a real difference. |
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| Giving Progress for Good Samaritan Center Building Site |
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| | Note Project #102852 in the Project #/Comment field. |
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| IS GOD CALLING YOU TO GIVE? |
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If you have not given before to the ministry of the Somali Bible Society, will you consider becoming one of our supporters? There are many ministry options available for your donation.
For those who have given before, “Thank you for your generosity! Your partnership in the ministry of the Somali Bible Society is so appreciated!” |
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| | Your continued support of any of our many projects will bring lasting fruit. Every donation you make has a great impact on a lost world and the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
Thank you for giving! |
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| Consider making your donation a recurring monthly donation. |
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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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| | 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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| | 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. |
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| | SUBSCRIBE TO MONTHLY NEWSLETTER |
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| Feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested.
To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click the SUBSCRIBE button, or scan the QR CODE. |
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