A team handed out 100 New Testaments in 15 minute, at Merivale High School

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

ShareWord Global (formerly the Gideons Canada) says high school students are increasingly eager for the Bible, particularly around Ottawa.

“Before the pandemic, giving New Testaments to high school students was discouraging,” says Jack DeKok of the Ottawa Gideons. Their team often had trouble with school faculty, even though they were just standing on the sidewalks offering Bibles to students passing by.

“Between two lockdowns, we felt God leading us to go out again. We called many people to pray for us and for the high schools in Ottawa. Imagine our surprise and joy when we went to our first school—Merivale High—at seeing the eagerness of the students to take a New Testament.”

DeKok shared this encouraging story after hearing about the new Bible study club at Merivale High. In only 15 minutes, he says, the team gave away all 100 copies of the New Testament they had. Encouraged by the students’ receptivity, the ministry brought New Testaments to 11 more schools in Ottawa, Renfrew, and Pembroke. At each school, DeKok says, students had the same reaction.

“It is important that they have the resources to make good choices.”

“Since we restarted the program for the schools, in October 2021, the students have been far more receptive to receiving the scriptures,” adds Rick Thomsen, the Ottawa chapter lead. “Many of the students we have encountered were very eager to accept the offer and we have confidence that God will use those scriptures to impact their lives.”

High school is a key formative time, as youth transition into young adults and make life-defining decisions. Thomsen believes giving them the opportunity to read and engage with the Bible can make a world of difference.

“It is important that they have the resources to make good choices. The scriptures have counselled countless people and made tremendously positive impacts on the people receiving them.”

The major difference in youth comes down to looking for truth and hope in such a convoluted and polarized climate. DeKok says God is working in the hearts of these students, who are young and do not yet have entrenched bias.

“You’re not going to have any luck here. Most are Muslim, most would not be interested.”

“[They] look for something that feels real.”

Before handing out the Bibles, the ShareWorld Global team speaks with the principal to let them know their plans. At one school they recently visited, in the east end of Ottawa, the principal responded, “Sure, go ahead. You’re not going to have any luck here. Most are Muslim, most would not be interested.” The team did not let that discourage them and the students ended up taking 156 New Testaments that day.

As they look ahead to the summer, the team is very optimistic. They are planning an outreach training session for late June, to teach believers how to share their faith and hand out Bibles in parks and markets.

“We are excited because there appears to be an eagerness to share the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Personally, how can one keep quiet when we have a God who loves us so much that He died for us.”