Growing partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries (ATSIM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and community organizations are broadening distribution of the Easy Reading Family Bible, commonly known as the ATSIM Bible, across Australia.

In October, Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister, Deputy CEO Ben Carblis, and Regional Leader for North Queensland Phil Flint were each presented with an ATSIM Bible. Mission Australia is a national community services organization that helps vulnerable people overcome homelessness, poverty, and disadvantage.

Links between Mission Australia and the Adventist Church have been strengthened through the work of Daniel Gela, a former Mamarapha College student and Mission Australia community chaplain in Cairns Southside, and “Uncle” Noel Wason, whose earlier ministry in Yarrabah helped establish community relationships.

Earlier this year, Leslie Baird, a former Anglican minister who runs Thursday night Bible studies for young people in Yarrabah, received an initial supply of 60 ATSIM Bibles. Aware that the Bibles were produced by the Adventist Church, he welcomed the opportunity to make them available to local youth. According to Baird, “the response was overwhelmingly positive” with young people and families expressing gratitude and requesting additional copies for personal and family use.

Following the response in Yarrabah, Mission Australia’s Head Office has ordered 120 ATSIM Bibles for use in several regions across Australia, including Far North Queensland, Mornington Island, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Whyalla, Darwin, and Perth.

Gela is working with the Yarrabah Anglican leadership to explore further opportunities for collaboration, including strengthening youth, men’s, and women’s ministries, as well as supporting children’s holiday programs. Northern Australian Conference ATSIM director Soani Vosalevu has also been involved in the project.

“Interdenominational collaboration is a powerful thing,” Vosalevu said. “When we combine our resources with existing community connections, we can share God’s love in even greater ways.”

The ATSIM Bible is available through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries for churches and community organizations.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.