A Beautiful Cycle of Renewal

In some prisons in Bahrain and Kuwait, inmates can choose to receive a Bible from the Bible Society in the Gulf. Prisoners there come from diverse backgrounds reflecting the 150 different nationalities and cultures present in the region. Many individuals from developing countries are attracted to the Gulf due to job opportunities and the promise of a better life. Unfortunately, the reality is often quite different. They usually face poor working conditions, overcrowded accommodation and abusive employers, and many migrant workers find themselves struggling and isolated in increasingly desperate situations. Sadly, some resort to breaking the law, resulting in a custodial sentence.

The Bible Society in the Gulf offers Bibles in a variety of languages. It is amazing to think that although a prisoner may not have another inmate who speaks their language if they receive a Bible in that language, they can experience God speaking to them through it. The message of redemption contained within the Bible’s pages is something everyone has the right to hear, and Christ’s sacrifice is for all without exception.

The Bible Society in the Gulf links with local church teams already working in prisons, and these volunteers play a key role in visiting prisoners and delivering Bibles.

Visiting someone in prison can be daunting. In Kuwait, visitors are faced with iron gates, heavy metal doors, and guard towers with armed officers. They undergo security checks and body searches. The constant surveillance makes for underlying tension in an atmosphere where even a simple gesture like putting their hands in their pockets can trigger a strong reaction from security.

The volunteers remain enthusiastic and committed to seeing prisoners’ lives transformed. However, there are often long waits while each individual Bible is screened, or frustration when visits are sometimes cancelled for undisclosed reasons.

Hear from Dr Hrayr Jebejian, General Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf at:

One volunteer shared:

‘Prison was always a place I thought of as punishment—somewhere criminals went to be forgotten. But after visiting and meeting the inmates, I realized they are people with stories, regrets, and hopes. Seeing their heartfelt remorse and even their resilience in the face of false accusations showed me our shared humanity.

Over the years, I’ve seen the power of the Bible in these places. Many inmates find solace in God’s Word, and some take their Bibles with them when they’re released, a tangible reminder of the hope they found in prison. Others leave their Bibles behind, hoping they will offer the same hope to the next person who occupies their cell. It’s a beautiful cycle of renewal.’

The Bibles have helped some prisoners to know Christ as their personal Saviour and others have grown in their relationship with Him. In many cases, the volunteers say they’ve witnessed sentences being reduced and even royal pardons granted due to the positive behavioural changes in inmates.’

Join us as we continue to pray for Bible Society work in the Gulf and particularly in the prisons in Bahrain and Kuwait.