A Small Bible Study Group Transforming a Community

Nestled inside the quiet elegance of the Pecanwood Golf Estate clubhouse—just north of Johannesburg—a group of women gather faithfully each week. They call themselves the Higher Ground Ladies Bible Study Group, and what started as a simple gathering for spiritual growth has blossomed into a powerful outreach ministry bringing God’s Word to the heart of their local community.

“Even during COVID, we kept meeting,” says Angie Stocton, one of the founding members. “Soon, people started asking us for Bibles—and that wasn’t even part of our ministry at the time!”

Moved by the needs around them, the group began setting aside offerings to bless others. When the requests for Bibles grew, Angie and fellow member Beauty Malabie reached out to Oasis International and discovered the NLT Text Bible: Africa Edition. What they found wasn’t just a book—it was a bridge.

“The Bible is easy to read and beautifully made,” Beauty shares. “It has an African identity that makes people proud to carry it. Many people still use old Bibles or ones written in complicated English. This version gives them a fresh, understandable way to engage with God’s Word.”

Their first batch of 10 Bibles was given to security guards, clubhouse staff, and service workers—those who serve the estate but may not have access to a personal Bible. One security guard had been longing for one for months. “When he finally received his copy, he was overjoyed,” Beauty recalls.

Now, the Higher Ground ladies keep a small inventory of Bibles on hand, ready to give to anyone who asks. Their dream? To reach young girls in nearby Klerksdorp, empowering them with the truth of Scripture and mentoring them toward godly womanhood.

And they’re not doing it alone. With the blessing of the clubhouse staff—who sometimes even set aside the Banquet Hall for their meetings and serve them shortbread biscuits and tea—this ministry continues to flourish with warmth, dignity, and quiet power.

As Angie reflects, “I wonder if the staff know just how much they are being blessed in return.”

Will you join them?

Your support can help place more culturally relevant Bibles into the hands of those eager to know God—from local workers to young girls with big dreams. Give today—and be part of this quiet but impactful ministry.