Impact - otLive Archives - Walk Thru the Bible southern africa

Unlocking the Bible in Limpopo

Mar 24, 2026 | Impact - otLive, Impact Stories

Hear from Ishmael Mutumwa, who teaches otLIVE and ntLIVE at rural Bible Schools in Limpopo

You needed to be there to see what I saw in the participants’ eyes. You know, many of these Bible school students are elderly, even my mother’s age. Sometimes when we teach the regular material, I notice them dozing off. But when we teach otLIVE and ntLIVE, they are there in every moment. They are energetic and enthusiastic, and they keep focus. During our last ntLIVE overview, one of the elderly ladies, of her own accord, even came up to join me at the
front to lead the overview.

Another student, also a pensioner, is a retired nurse. She shared, “I keep attending all these courses, but I don’t remember the material. But this otLIVE and ntLIVE is different. With all these hand signs and the way you teach this material, I remember the Old Testament and New
Testament, and how it all fits together.”

I believe this really speaks to how otLIVE and ntLIVE are structured. These Walk Thru the Bible Live Events help to unlock the Bible for any Christian. I find sometimes that even pastors don’t connect the Bible stories. They don’t always have the big picture of the Bible. But with otLIVE and ntLIVE they get it. They have this ‘Aha’ moment.

There are also some people who have been going to Bible School, but are confused. It really helps them when they attend otLIVE and ntLIVE to put together all together the events, the geography etc. Then they see how the puzzle fits together.

Since childhood, I have had a passion for teaching the things of God, but I didn’t know how or what. But in 2012, I was trained as a Walk Thru the Bible instructor, and I got the bigger picture of the Bible. I never before knew that I could be an instructor. Now I want to help others get it too. My prayer is, “God, help me as I want to help others understand what I do.”

When you think of Ishmael, please pray that the Lord will continue to expand and open doors for his ministry in the villages of rural Limpopo, even amongst the children, for whom he has a passion. Please pray also for his family – his wife, Tendai, and their three sons.
Enjoy this glimpse of some of the children that Ishmael has also been invited to teach…

For more information, please click here.

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“Let the children come to me”

Nov 27, 2025 | Impact - otLive, Impact Stories

In Southern Africa, during the first 9 months of 2025, we were privileged to reach 149 771 children using otLIVE, teaching them the big picture of God’s Word and his love for each one. And as we praise the Lord for this, it is good and fitting to ‘zoom in’ and hear from an otLIVE instructor who is on the ground, regularly working in the schools.

To this end, we introduce Desmond Gates, an instructor who teaches otLIVE to children in schools in Limpopo. Desmond’s enthusiasm for what he does is certainly evident, as is his love for his Lord and the children he teaches:

“Through teaching otLIVE I have had the opportunity to impact so many groups of children and the interactions and conversations afterwards have been particularly memorable. Children often come after the otLIVE presentation and approach me with questions, doubts, fears, and ‘what-about questions’. It’s as if otLIVE is a ‘bridge builder’ to open the conversation – perhaps sometimes it’s easier for them to engage with someone from the outside to voice doubts or questions.

Sometimes I find that in schools, the children have never heard the Gospel before and don’t know the Bible stories at all. This is always a sobering fact in a ‘Christian’ country like South Africa. Children just don’t know the Word of God, and in our post-COVID world, often don’t go to church with their families. So many children approach me, saying that they don’t have a Bible and asking for one. They value it more as they start to understand the big picture of God’s Word and how it’s put together.

There are so many great opportunities to evangelise through otLIVE. I often like to build on the stories in the Old Testament. The children have many questions about their identity, who they really are. It is a joy to share with them that in this world of so many mixed messages, that their identity is in Christ, and that the answers are all in His Word.

OtLIVE is relevant and needed! I would encourage others to get out there and build relationships with school principals and teachers. Get to know them. Offer a tool like otLIVE, perhaps initially focusing on values education and Bible knowledge. Build relationships. See what God will do! I have seen the Lord’s favour repeatedly in these situations as He opens doors. At one stage, I was even teaching at three schools on the same day, in one particular small town.

You ask why I do what I do?
It’s because I know that this generation of young people desperately need to know and follow God. It was Jesus himself who said “Let the children come to me. And do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God.”

otLIVE at school year end function:
I had the privilege at Modimolle Christian Academy to teach otLIVE to the whole school from the foundation phase right through to the high school, over the course of a term. I was thrilled when the school decided to have all the children showcase this to the parents at the school year-end function as part of the concert and school anniversary celebrations. This was a ‘glam’ event and a real celebration with the parents attending from the town and surrounding areas. And what a highlight this was! This school principal had really been thrilled when I had come knocking with otLIVE and the prospect of teaching it at the school.”

To find out more otLIVE

otLIVE teaches the big picture of God’s Word using engaging and fun memory tools. Please click here for more information.

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otLIVE in Malawi

Oct 1, 2025 | Impact - otLive, Impact - Walk Thru the Bible, Impact Stories

“Reaching as many as we can with God’s Word and bringing them to faith in Christ Jesus”

The vision endures, 12 years after the first otLIVE instructors were trained in Malawi. By God’s grace, and the faithful work of the instructors, there has been much fruit. otLIVE is now taught in 81 schools in Malawi, reaching 15 291 children in this year alone. We are grateful for each child who has received God’s Word, for the lives that have been impacted and the positive choices the children have made as they face life’s challenges.

The otLIVE lessons are taught on a weekly basis in Standards 5 and 6 during a normal school day, with a team of instructors comprising 5 full-time presenters and 12 volunteers. A significant highlight was the introduction of otLIVE at 24 new schools during the last school year.

otLIVE has also been introduced in some churches.

Pastor Joshua Kalolo of Zambezi Evangelical Church reports:

“otLIVE has also had a big impact on the people in our church who never learned to read. In our church, almost 50% of our women did not go to school, and some of them can’t read the Bible on their own, but with otLIVE, they are able to know the Bible using the hand signs.”

Hear from some of the learners at the schools where otLIVE is taught

Chimwemwe from M’thawaluba Primary School:

“otLIVE has helped me see reasons for staying in school and working hard in class. My life changed ever since I started attending the otLIVE lessons at my school. At first, I used to run away from classes and was also stealing, but now I have stopped because my conscience won’t let me. I also used to not respect my teachers and my parents. But my parents noticed some changes in my behaviour and the way I do things now. I told them that I learnt in otLIVE that the Bible teaches to respect your parents. Both my parents and teachers are happy for me.”

Jazere from Makande school:

“I am coming from the home where my mother goes to a Pentecostal church, but my father and I used to practice Gulewamkulu**.

otLIVE helped me to know God and His mighty power and now I go to Church with my mother. I really like the story of Creation that I was made in God’s image.

** traditional cultural religion

Yasimin (from a family of another faith)

“Because of otLIVE, I have learnt some Bible stories. I like the story of Ruth. I like how she cared for Naomi, her mother-in-law, after her husband’s death. In this story, I learned how to be kind to others.

Feedback from the teachers

Fydon Masakatira, a primary education adviser for Thavite zone:

“The average pass rate in the schools where otLIVE is rolled out has shown improvement, compared to past results and in schools where there isn’t otLIVE. I see a difference in the behaviour of the learners where there is otLIVE. During parent-teacher meetings, parents also recommend this program. I also observe that the learners have better knowledge and values concerning the Bible. It would be nice to see otLIVE in more schools in the district.”

Anita Jere, a standard 5 teacher at Yambe Primary School

“otLIVE has been of great importance at my school because learners are benefiting both spiritually and academically. Their spiritual life is being deepened as some of them do not go to church, but at least with otLIVE they are learning the Word of God at school.”

Mr Nyasulu, a teacher at Chinguluwe Primary School

“Because of otLIVE, learners are scoring good grades in Bible knowledge as a subject. It has helped learners to develop a positive attitude towards learning Bible knowledge. It has also brought discipline in the learners due to the skills they acquire during the teaching of otLIVE.

Clovis Chipata, a standard 5 teacher at Napache school

“I have noticed a change of behaviour in the otLIVE classes – there is less quarrelling and the learners are more merciful to each other.

Jonah Kamwendo , a standard 6 teacher at St Francis primary school

“ There is less absenteeism in the classes where otLIVE is taught! The drop out rate of standard 6 learners has also reduced.

Some challenges
Some areas where otLIVE is taught are under the significant influence of other faiths, but God continues to make a way for the teaching of His Word. Poverty is also an ongoing challenge for pupils from many households, with Malawi often not receiving adequate rainfall during the growing season.

Looking forward
Wiseman, one of the long-time instructors, shares: “We would love to see otLIVE teaching expand to more schools in the Salima district, and also add schools from the Chitala and Katelera areas. It would be good to have more volunteers to join us in bringing God’s kingdom into the lives of children.”

More about otLIVE
otLIVE teaches the big picture of God’s Word using engaging memory tools. Please click here to find out more about otLIVE.

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Bringing the hope and truth of God’s Word to children around the world

Oct 1, 2025 | Impact - otLive, Impact - Walk Thru the Bible, Impact Stories

Meet Kester from the Philippines

When Kester was in primary school, he was bullied — mainly because he had a difficult time with reading and spelling. And he had a stutter. When he tried to read aloud, his classmates laughed at him. And many times, the bullies told him they just didn’t like his face. All the bullying and hurt quickly caused Kester shame and fear, and a lack of confidence and self-respect. Later, he began to defend himself and fight back. After being bullied for so long, he became a bully himself; always in trouble, always in the principal’s office.

But God was working in his life. Kester came to know the Lord when he was 12 years old, after a teacher shared the gospel with him. He began to grow in his faith, started reading God’s Word, and became more involved at church, especially in the student ministry.

He finished high school, and his dream was to teach children and to help them know their heavenly Father through His Word. But his parents couldn’t afford to send him to Bible college. During the Covid pandemic, Kester was trained virtually by Walk Thru the Bible’s children’s ministry team in the Philippines to teach otLIVE (the live event that teaches the big picture of the Old Testament).

“I wanted to serve as an inspiration to the students – that even though I was bullied and then became a bully myself – there is hope. The Lord can change a person. He changed me,” he said.

Kester still had a stutter, but he persisted throughout the training—and he mastered the Old Testament storyline, the teaching sessions, and the handsigns. During the otLIVE training, he shared his story of how God impacted his life, gave him hope, and grew his faith. And otLIVE helped him to learn God’s Word for himself and gave him the confidence to stand and teach in front of others.

Kester’s persistence paid off. His primary school principal allowed him to teach otLIVE to the Grade 6’s at the school. When the other teachers saw how the children loved otLIVE and how they really connected with Kester, they asked him to teach it to the kids in their grades too.

Kester, who is now 22, says that the otLIVE training definitely helped him grow in his walk with God, but also helped him overcome his fear of sharing the Word and teaching it to others. “God and His Word changed me,” he said, “and if He can change me, He can change others.”

Perhaps this story is a reminder to view the children around us a little differently…

We may, or may not, see smiles on the outside, but no one knows what pain or fear is hiding on the inside. In this world of confusion and deception, each child – and each one of us, too – need someone to give them hope, the hope that only God’s Word can give. Each one needs to hear of the One who loves them with an everlasting love. Each one needs to know they were made for a special purpose by a loving Creator.

Kester learned this through the work of God and His Word in his life. And now he’s sharing God’s Word with children in public schools in the Philippines. We praise God that Kester also experienced the hope of God’s Word through the ministry of Walk Thru the Bible – and his life will never be the same.

Please join us in prayer for the over a million children around the world that we aim to reach with the hope and truth of God’s Word.

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“Because of this training I have the confidence to teach others”

Jul 25, 2025 | Impact - otLive, Impact Stories

This is the feedback from one of the new otLIVE instructors trained at a recent event in East London.

East London is promising a great harvest
The otLIVE training was indeed a success with participants expressing newfound enthusiasm and confidence in their teaching abilities. One of the participants even taught the otLIVE seminar the very next day upon returning to her community – demonstrating the immediate impact of the training.

This event also marked a significant step in equipping these community leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively teach the Old Testament to people of all ages. The training not only enriched their understanding of the Old Testament, but also reignited their passion for teaching, especially in the context of their communities.

Our thanks go to Pastor Siza Masiza for his enthusiasm and for organizing the event which was attended by 22 participants from across the Eastern Cape – with most of the attendees working with children in their respective communities. It was also exciting to have the training conducted in a trilingual format – using Xhosa, Zulu and English.

Some of the participants shared their thoughts on the training, highlighting the impact it had on their approach to teaching…

I’ve learned skills that will help me teach both the young and old.

Everyone was involved, and we were given enough chances for practical learning.

I used to be a Sunday school teacher. This training has rekindled my calling.

This training has encouraged me to read more of the Old Testament since I didn’t like it before.

I learned a lot from the other participants and I will make my lessons age-appropriate.

I must plan and prepare well for my teaching.

The things that happened during the Bible times are still happening in our times. The Old Testament is still relevant for us.

I’ve always heard people talk about the Old Testament, but now with this training I will learn it myself.

I will include props in my storytelling to help bring it to life.”

Through this training, I have the confidence that I can teach others

otLIVE uses engaging memory tools to teach the major people, places and events of the Old Testament, in just two and a half hours – with a live instructor.

If you would like to host an otLIVE seminar in your church or school, or be trained as an instructor, please CLICK HERE or email [email protected]
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50% of the teenagers accepted Jesus as Saviour at an impromptu teaching of otLIVE in Uganda

Jul 23, 2025 | Impact - otLive

A South African who recently travelled to Uganda relates his experience:

“While in Uganda on other business, I received an impromptu invitation to preach at an Anglican church in the village of Nasuti, in the Iganga region. It was easily one of the most memorable parts of my trip!

It was the 11am Sunday service in the village – the one that was compulsory for the high schoolers from the nearby boarding school to attend. As I approached the church, I could hear the singing and dancing of the 300 teenagers inside. I definitely had a good warm up as I joined them in worship. Given the impromptu nature of my visit, I certainly didn’t have a sermon ready for this vibrant and energetic group. It was also of note that this was a mixed group with backgrounds in different faiths.

I was so grateful for my training as an otLIVE instructor…
With otLIVE, I could immediately start teaching them the big picture of God’s story in an interactive way. And they soon got into it! I definitely got their attention when I told them that they didn’t need to be taking notes and started engaging them with handsigns and questions and movement! Many commented to me afterwards that they had never seen anything like this before.

As we got to the Old Testament story of the Passover, I was able to explain to them how Jesus came to be our Passover lamb and give a clear Gospel presentation. Praise God that 50% of the teenagers accepted Jesus as their Saviour!

I also had the opprtunity after the service to meet with the head boy from the school and the associate pastor from the church – both of whom were moved by what had transpired. They commented specifically about the authenticity of the salvation decision taken by so many of the teenagers. The head boy reflected on the ‘genuineness’ of the moment and that his peers didn’t just do things to please people. I was so encouraged by this and also excited to hear about their plans to disciple these new believers.

I was humbled to realize how God had prepared this opportunity in advance and grateful that I was able to respond with otLIVE – a tool that can be used anywhere in any context, with or without props, be it in a rural African village or a first world context.

There is indeed much fertile ground in Uganda – and by God’s providence, several new otLIVE instructors have been trained in Uganda, just this year. May they have much favour and open doors to teach in many schools and churches throughout the country.”

otLIVE uses engaging memory tools to teach the major people, places and events of the Old Testament, in just two and a half hours – with a live instructor

If you would like to host an otLIVE seminar in your church or school, or be trained as an instructor, please CLICK HERE or email [email protected]
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