Mission 66: The Road to Biblical Literacy
TWR’s Mission 66 program aims to close the widening gap between Bible access and in-depth biblical understanding. Adapted from world-class Bible teacher Dr. Luiz Sayão’s Portuguese commentary, Mission 66 is online and over the airwaves in eight languages across the globe. Three years in, Mission 66 is increasing listeners’ biblical literacy in several of the world’s most spoken languages.
Members of TWR staff with the RTM (TWR in Spanish) team and Mission 66 original creator, Dr. Luiz Sayão, meet in partnership to foster biblical literacy worldwide.
“A journey with friends through the Word of God.”
That’s how Unathi Sithole described TWR’s Mission 66 Bible commentary broadcast to TWR Great Commission Partner Mission Network News last summer. Sithole, the voice of Esther Sisulu, co-hosts the English version of the program along with John Mathews (voiced by John-Paul Davies).
Mission 66, now in its third year of online access and airing in eight languages across the globe, is one of TWR’s newest programs especially aimed to help address the rising crisis of biblical illiteracy. “For decades, the church has invested to put God’s Word into every language,” said Jon Fugler, Mission 66 director. “Mission 66 exists to make sure people actually understand the Word they’ve received.”
Bible Access Doesn't Mean Biblical Understanding
A systematic study through the Word of God is more vital than ever in today’s global spiritual climate. The gap is widening between Bible access and in-depth biblical understanding. Millions across the globe, even in countries resistant to the gospel, can read the Bible anytime, anywhere, in nearly any language, from the phone in the palm of their hand. But just because they have access to God’s Word doesn’t mean they fully understand its teachings or its purpose in their lives.
With more than 600 episodes covering all 66 books of the Bible, Mission 66 bridges that gap. The content is adapted from world-class Brazilian Bible teacher Dr. Luiz Sayão’s commentary. It originally aired in Portuguese but has been contextualized into several additional languages to encourage biblical literacy across the globe.
“I have been personally changed, challenged, convicted and comforted,” Sithole said. “Going through the whole Bible a chapter at a time allows for our listeners to drink in and understand God’s Word deeper.”
What is Biblical Literacy?
Biblical literacy is more than memorizing Bible verses, Kenneth Berding reflected in Talbot Magazine. Berding, a professor at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology, added that biblical literacy is more about faithfully interpreting Scripture, learning systematic biblical theology and properly applying Scripture to one’s daily life. In short, he wrote, “[t]he first step [toward greater biblical literacy] is to personally engage God’s Word, allowing the Bible to shape our attitudes, actions and affections.”
That’s where programming like Mission 66 can step in. In the first half of each 25-minute episode, Mathews (Davies) reads a chapter or two of Scripture and offers commentary, then Sisulu (Sithole) joins in, adding pertinent talking points and discussion questions. Together, they help English listeners apply the Bible in a personal way; international versions follow a similar structure.
Digital Availability Drives Engagement
In addition to the radio program, digital formats like podcasts and YouTube videos offer another channel of engagement. A listener to Mission 66 in El Salvador first heard the program on the radio but didn’t stop there. “After I finished listening to the radio,” the listener told TWR, “I looked you up online, found the Misión 66 website, and since then—it’s already in my bookmarks—I go there to listen to messages. I’m sharing it on social media with my brothers and sisters in the faith, so I encourage you, Misión 66, to keep going; you are a great blessing.”
Listening, engaging, sharing — this Spanish-speaking listener is continuing that “journey with friends” Sithole referenced, and it’s TWR’s goal for Mission 66 to bring the Bible to life in the hearts of its listeners from wherever they tune in.
Your gift will help TWR put hope within reach for other Spanish-speaking listeners and provide Mission 66’s solid biblical teaching to those in need of God’s Word in countries like Cuba and Venezuela.
Images: (top, banner) Pictured: Susie Pek (TWR's Vice President of Global Content and Integrated Ministries), Jon Fugler (Mission 66 Director), Ricardo Kroskinsque (RTM Brazil), Annabel Muscarella (TWR's International Director of Latin America and the Caribbean), Celize Sayao, Luiz Sayão, Esteban Larrosa (TWR's Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean), Ted Siemens (TWR's Deputy to Chief Content Officer)
