We are seeing a rising hunger for deeper engagement with the Bible and the hard issues faced in daily life in African settings among the poor– but also right here in Skagit County. We all need clearer discernment so we can face growing societal turmoil and spiritual confusion.
Paulo Freire’s insights in Education for Critical Consciousness marked us during our years in Honduras in the 1980s. Freire pursued teaching methods that helped the common person develop a more critical consciousness. He challenged the passive education system that was dominant then (and now!). He taught critical thinking skills among the illiterate and semi-literate– so people could engage in well-informed praxis (action).
Freire contrasted critical consciousness with what he called “banking education”– wherein people are fed and take in information like money deposited in a bank.This makes us passive, dependent, easily led astray by influencers, authoritarians, false prophets. Brainwashing is rampant today– often fueling the divides between us.
In today’s media-saturated, AI-informed environment we are bombarded with information and analysis which impacts us faster than we can thoughtfully evaluate. This kind of “education” can easily become indoctrination as we accept things to be “true” without taking the time to carefully investigate and discern. Social influencers assail us through YouTube, podcasts, TikTok, Instagram and so many others media formats– and many of us uncritically consume media and pass it on– disseminating mixed messaging often full of falsehood.
Pastors and church leaders in Africa, like here, are often informed more by social media than by their own personal study and reflection. Views about God, current events and social issues get passed along through preaching. Being preached to by the “man of God” (or any demigod) reinforces authoritarian mindsets, passivity and dependency.
In our People’s Seminary courses and Bible studies here in the Skagit Valley, we deliberately coach people how to carefully read Scripture in direct rapport with their lives and larger world.
We use bibliodramas, small group breakout sessions, questions that invite deeper reflection, and conversational teaching to help people think critically and discover for themselves the liberating Message. It is exciting to see people’s growing enthusiasm for learning over the course of the 42 sessions of our two five-day courses that make up a Certificate in Holistic Liberation.
Our team of African teachers (and a Swede) just finished two trainings in rural Mozambique and Malawi to groups of 140-200 church leaders and pastors.
Freire’s pedagogy focused on helping people develop a critical consciousness around social class divisions, economic exploitation and political oppression.
Critical consciousness is also needed as we approach the Bible and theology. Awareness-raising that enhances people’s spiritual discernment is also urgent, so we can identify and critique issues like nationalism, other idolatries and false prophesy.
Most church leaders and pastors in poor settings in Africa and throughout the world have not had the opportunity to receive teaching that equips them for their unique challenges. We are deeply moved by people’s eagerness for learning, visible in the attendance at our trainings, people’s impressive attention spans (8 hours-plus per day), and new requests for courses.
Here in North America and throughout the world there is a need for a new movement of in-person contextual Bible study which cultivates critical consciousness and Spirit-inspired action. We are seeing people grow before your eyes here at Tierra Nueva, and are excited to have returned to our outdoor Bible studies.
Tierra Nueva Bible study in a local park (April 23, 2026)
Graduation in Mozambique (April 16, 2026)
Please consider contributing much-needed funding for upcoming trainings in Cameroon and Gabon (May), DRC (June) and Benin (July). You can give online here, or through sending a check to Tierra Nueva (Attn: The People’s Seminary), PO Box 410, Burlington, WA 98233, USA.
UK donations can be given through our account at Stewardship. Click here to set up your sign-in details.
We are currently in need of $40,000 to complete these courses, and $2500 to provide Bibles in people’s indigenous languages.
Consider using some of my Guerrilla Bible studies to start your own group.
Order Guerrilla Bible studies volumes here
Malawian prisoners holding up soap given out at TPS Bible study
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