“Before I received Jesus Christ in my life, I use to think that I know everything about life,” shared Mandla*, a prisoner in a South African prison.

“I was wrong, because I used to rob people and talk bad things about Jesus Christ. I was also doing things that was not in the will of God; a lot of bad things.”

There is a huge need for God’s word in South African prisons, with over 164,000 prisoners crowded into 235 operationally active prisons. There are 45,000+ prison inmates without proper accommodation.

In 2023, World Hope Ministries, working in South African prisons with support from Bible Society Australia donors, distributed 6,125 Bibles.** This included 760 English Bibles, Bibles in 9 other languages, as well as Big Rescue CEV Bibles. As well as distributing Bibles, World Hope Ministries ministered to 7,405 inmates through the Bible Discipleship course run by volunteer facilitators.

Mandla enrolled in the Bible Discipleship course run by World Hope Ministries and supported by Bible Society Australia. This course changed his life.

“Since I became a child of God…I am a better man, and I am a good father to my child. One day I will be a wonderful husband to my wife.” Mandla has seen the hand of God in his life, even in his current imprisonment.

“For me to be in this place, it was the will of God so that I receive salvation,” he shares.

“At the moment my life is good because I have Jesus on my side.” Mandla has been deeply impacted by the ministry of World Hope Ministries and by Opening The Bible. “Studying the Biblical Discipleship lessons… helps me a lot because now I know that I must put God first in my life.” Life has not necessarily become easier for Mandla in prison. He shares, “When you become a Christian in prison, they criticise you and even call you names.”

Yet the Bible is now vitally important to Mandla, as his life has changed completely. He says, “To me the Bible is basic instructions before leaving earth. We must learn it and keep those verses in mind so that I can teach other people the word of God.”

As World Hope Ministries continues to work in South African prisons, in partnership with Bible Society Australia, prisoners like Mandla are being impacted by God’s word every day. World Hope Ministries are helping with rehabilitation, encouraging inmates to live crime-free lives after serving their sentences. As World Hope Ministries facilitates the Bible Discipleship course among the inmates, Bible Society Australia supplies Bibles free of charge to distribute to prisoners. In 2024, the goal is to distribute at least 12,500 Bibles into correctional facilities in South Africa reaching men, women and juveniles. “I would like to say thank you to World Hope Ministries for your teachings,” says Mandla. “Keep on doing good work.”

* name changed for privacy
** Project 101791 – South Africa – World Hope Ministries Biblical Discipleship and Bible distribution