Images of Hope

That's the challenge set by Bible Society as part of Hope 08 - a year long initiative to motivate and mobilise churches to reach out to communities across the UK.

Images of Hope is an art competition organised through churches, schools and youth groups throughout 2008. Through this initiative, Bible Society is inviting people to illustrate a Bible story of hope in their own way.

The artists are encouraged to engage with Scripture - and discover its relevance to their lives. Bible Society will offer advice on running the competition, and will supply winners with Bibles to encourage them to keep engaging with its message. In areas like Nottingham, winning artwork will be displayed at awards celebrations and exhibitions.

The idea for the national competition follows on from a pilot, which took place in Greater Manchester in 2007. Over 200 creative entries were submitted based on everything from 'Abraham counting stars' to 'Moses and the burning bush'.

In Harpurhey, the competition was won by Kaylem Osbourne, who painted a picture of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem. Joined by his family at the awards ceremony, one of them said, 'We have been praying for Kaylem for quite a while as he is interested in Jesus but can't make it to church. The art competition has been an answer to prayer.'

Hope 08 is an ambitious project to mobilise churches across the UK to do more, do it together and do it in word and action. It's about churches joining forces to serve and witness to their communities, and Christian organisations are working together to touch the lives of those around them.

Bible Society is dedicated to encouraging people to discover the Bible's message to their lives. Through Images of Hope, many will experience its life-changing message in surprising and unusual ways.

Already many churches and school groups have committed to running an Images of Hope competition. In Nottingham's inner city St Ann's area, young people will be creating their own images of hope during school hours as part of a Hope 08 'week of action' in March.

More information on Images of Hope and how to get involved is available by sending an email to contactus@biblesociety.org.uk or calling 01793 418222.