Did you know Philadelphia is home to one of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculptures? It’s also home to one of its Spanish counterparts, AMOR. How fitting for a city where Hispanics represent 14.4 percent of the population.

Within this City of Brotherly Love lives a vibrant network of Hispanic churches that shares a love for learning God’s Word—which has led one of our partners, Esperanza, to take action.

Esperanza is a faith-based organization that empowers Philadelphia’s Hispanic communities through education, economic development, and advocacy programs. They recently launched a Bible engagement campaign called Vive La Vida, Vive La Palabra, meaning, “Live Life, Live the Word.” It brings faith to life through daily activities like Bible reading and acts of kindness.

God’s Word - the Source of Inspiration

This spring and fall, more than 100 Hispanic churches in Philadelphia are implementing Vive La Vida, Vive La Palabra in their congregations. They’re taking Scripture journeys through the New Testament using The Books of the Bible. This specially formatted New Testament removes chapter and verse numbers, study notes, cross references, red lettering, and footnotes, so that readers can enjoy an uninterrupted flow of God’s Word. American Bible Society has made this resource available to Esperanza in both English and Spanish.

To date, the Vive La Vida, Vive La Palabra campaign has distributed 4,000 Scripture resources to more than 100 churches in Philadelphia. So far, 1,300 people have registered for the ongoing Bible reading plan!

Will you join us in praying for the Hispanic church to be inspired by God’s Word and become instruments of his love in their city?

Let’s Pray Together:

God, thank you that your Word has the power to transform lives and cities. We pray that you will fill Hispanic churches in Philadelphia with a hunger for your Word. Empower them to go out into their communities and love their neighbors like Jesus did.