African Bible Societies Boost Online Outreach Efforts
From February 23rd to 26th, 2024, the city of Nairobi, Kenya, hosted the "Africa Mission Sustainability Cluster Digital Training," a remarkable event for eleven African Bible Societies eager to strengthen their digital outreach capabilities. Held at the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Nairobi, the United Bible Societies (UBS) organised the training in collaboration with The Bible Society of Kenya.
The event brought together delegates from various countries across the African continent, each representing their respective Bible Society. The Algophone and Francophone cluster participants immersed themselves in intensive workshops and sessions to enhance their digital presence and Bible engagement strategies.
The comprehensive four-day digital training hosted by the United Bible Societies in partnership with The Bible Society of Kenya covered various topics and skills crucial for effective digital outreach. The schedule, filled with insightful sessions, kicked off with a welcome session led by Nelson Saba, setting the tone for an enriching learning experience.
The first day, led by Rutendo Mandipa, included an overview of the purpose of digital tools by speakers Anders Orsander, Rok Pisk, and Elismar Vilvock. Nelson Saba discussed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), followed by an evaluation and summary led by Gladys Guienguéré and Rutendo Mandipa. The day concluded with a session on planning for 2024 based on the evaluation, guided by Nelson Saba.
On the second day, Boris Bagmogo led the prayer, and sessions delved into understanding audience needs, audience research, calendar planning, and crafting Easter/Lent posts presented by various speakers. The third day, led by Gladys Guienguéré, explored the theory of the Content Collaboration Initiative, introduced the 2024 schedule for newsletters, and provided an in-depth overview of Campaign Studio, followed by discussions on newsletter strategies.
The final day, initiated by Tapiwa Maraire's prayer, included hands-on training on Campaign Studio led by Rok Pisk and Anders Orsander. Participants gained insights into the AWDB journey, learned about fundraising strategies, and engaged in the inaugural Cluster Collaboration Meeting facilitated by experts Anders Orsander, Tapiwa Maraire, Rutendo Mandipa, Gladys Guienguéré, and Boris Bagmogo. The meticulously structured training equipped delegates with practical skills to enhance their digital outreach capabilities.
A notable outcome of the training was the successful development of individual websites, email campaigns, and social media content by each Bible Society. During the event, four Bible Society BibleBooster websites were launched:
- Gambia: https://biblesociety-gambia.org/
- South Sudan: https://biblesociety-southsudan.org/
- Niger: https://alliancebiblique-niger.org/
- Guinea: https://alliancebiblique-guinee.org/
Additionally, five more websites went live around the event:
- Zimbabwe: https://biblesociety-zimbabwe.org/
- Senegal: https://alliancebiblique-senegal.org/
- Mali: https://alliancebiblique-mali.org/
- Lesotho: https://biblesociety.org.ls/
- Sudan: https://biblesociety-sudan.org
The Africa Mission Sustainability Cluster Digital Training equipped these Bible Societies with valuable digital skills and fostered collaboration and the exchange of best practices. With their enhanced digital platforms, these organisations are now better positioned to reach wider audiences and fulfil their mission of spreading the Good News.
This event underscores the importance of adapting to the digital age, especially for organizations focused on community outreach and engagement. As the world continues to evolve technologically, the training provided a solid foundation for these Bible Societies to continue their vital work in Africa and beyond.