BibleLands was established in 1854 and to mark its 150th Anniversary we organised a number of celebratory events, more detail of which can be found in the documents below. To find out more about BibleLands' work over the past 150 years, click here.
If you would like to read the anniversary greetings sent to us please click here.
Sponsored Cycle Ride - Doug and Liz raise over £10,000
In November 2004, BibleLands’ Trustee Doug Callander was joined by long-term BibleLands' supporter Liz Steed as he completed his fifth sponsored bike-ride for the Nazareth Hospital and the Nazareth School of Nursing. Together they raised the fantastic sum of over £10,000.
Doug was delighted to be accompanied by Liz, a doctor from Merthyr Tydfil with her own special memories of the Nazareth Hospital, having spent six weeks there as part of her training.
Doug and Liz approaching the summit of Mount Tabor
The eight-day trip covered 230 miles, beginning on the shores of the Mediterranean, travelling along Mount Carmel Plateau, up Mount Tabor and finishing at the Nazareth Hospital and School of Nursing, to see some of the vital work that will benefit from sponsorship funds.
Our congratulations go to Doug and Liz on their athletic achievement; and our thanks to all those sponsors whose support will help to transform lives through the Nazareth School of Nursing!
The Gatekeepers
Mark Cazalet 2004
Artists-in-Residence have been a unique feature of BibleLands’ 150th Anniversary celebrations. They have travelled with our pilgrimage parties since 2003 and their object has been threefold – to provide a unique visual perspective on each country, to highlight BibleLands, its Partners and its work and to raise funds for BibleLands through sales.
The exhibitions that have followed have been highly successful. As well as taking away with them memories of Middle Eastern landscapes – and of course, sometimes a picture – exhibition visitors were also able to see displays about the vital work of BibleLands and to receive packs of literature on the work of the Charity and its Project Partners.
All three artists involved – Adam Boulter, Mark Cazalet and Alexander Pemberton – are well-known and successful in their own fields, and all of them agree that the experience of meeting Project Partners and seeing their work at first hand on the pilgrimages, has added new and sometimes unexpected dimensions to their creative work.
Supporters who have enjoyed seeing Alex’s images of Israel and the Occupied Territories, Adam’s of Lebanon, and Mark’s of Egypt, will be delighted to know that, before the end of the Anniversary celebrations, two more exhibitions happened: From 17 January until 4 February 2005, Mark showed pictures from Israel and the Occupied Territories, at All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street, London; Finally, and very appropriately, in April 2005, Alex exhibited pictures from Armenia, the homeland of the people with whom BibleLands began its long journey 150 years ago.
9th October 2004 - What a Day to Remember!
Certainly no-one who was there was ever likely to forget one of the biggest celebration events that BibleLands has ever staged.
Beginning with a service of thanksgiving a capacity congregation of over 400 people - BibleLands' supporters, overseas partners, staff, trustees and Patron, Baroness Kathleen Richardson - all united together to give thanks to God for the work of 150 years. The highlight of the service surely came, when backed by the fabulous Still Time Band, everyone joined to sing together, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, the hymn chosen by BibleLands to represent everything meaningful about its Anniversary.
Later in the day, hundreds of supporters packed each of three seminar rooms to hear our 11 visiting overseas partners share about their work and their lives in Egypt, Lebanon and Israel/Palestine. Lots of opportunities to meet the partners informally also helped make this a day where BibleLands supporters got some very real insights into the vital work that they have supported for so long.
Finally, at a spectacular evening concert, we heard some of the best in contemporary Christian music. Introduced by Diane Louise Jordan, some very topical songs were brought to us by singer-songwriter, Garth Hewitt. A dramatic interpretation by ballet dancer Henrietta Tennyson of Graham Kendrick's emotive narrative song, Thorn in the Straw, was then followed by music from Note for a Child, surely the most up-and-coming Christian band in the UK today. After the interval, everyone was brought to their feet by the London Community Gospel Choir, with a rousing sequence that included some old favourites as well as some of their very latest creations.
Although it was late when the day finally came to an end, everyone there took away some very special memories, of old acquaintances renewed, new friendships created and lots of information about BibleLands and its work, as well as spirits lifted by the talent and enthusiasm of the musicians who came along to entertain us.
As part of its Anniversary celebrations, BibleLands organised a major exhibition of contemporary art throughout 2004, that focussed on the person of Jesus Christ, the inspiration for its work over the last 150 years. Click here to find out more.
