National Storytelling Week 2026 ran from Saturday 31 January to Sunday 8 February. While originally initiated by the Society for Storytelling with a focus on folk and fairy tales, myths, and legends, many within the Christian community, particularly faith schools, used the opportunity to highlight Bible-based and faith-building narratives. National Storytelling Week – Society for Storytelling
Activities included parable retelling through modern interpretations of biblical stories, Bible story puppetry, and ‘Testimony Time’, where individuals shared or wrote about how God had intervened in their lives.
Testimonials – Our Lives as Impactful Stories
Recently, I spoke with several individuals who shared that their journey to faith began through hearing powerful testimonies of transformed lives. The stories they encountered resonated deeply with their own struggles and circumstances. As a result, they signed up for Bible studies, made lifestyle changes, were baptised, and are now faithful followers of Christ.
This reality was vividly portrayed in a recent Faith Journeys feature on BUC News titled: From Unbelief to Unexpected Faith | BUC News. Stories of divine intervention continue to impact both the storyteller and the listener, shaping lives in profound ways.
Publications and Stories
The Stanborough Press continues to produce high-quality publications featuring autobiographies, biographies, and testimonies that challenge perspectives, build faith, and magnify God’s leading. One such book currently being enjoyed is Miracles Still Happen – My Cancer Journey by Karin Edwards. (https://lifesourcebookshop.co.uk/product/miracles-still-happen/)
Over the past 19 years and five months of serving at the British Union Conference, numerous emails, phone calls, and personal testimonies have been received from individuals who shared how specific publications positively changed their lives. Many of these relate to the 20 departmental publications produced in collaboration with the Stanborough Press. Most began as personal testimonies – significant life stories that inspired the writing process.
Two recent publications were inspired by deeply personal experiences. Women of Virtue was written as a tribute to a late mother whose life reflected the industrious spirit of Proverbs 31. Women of Virtue - LifeSource Christian Bookshop and Sacred Hours – Sacred Hours: 52 Sabbath Reflections for Your Devotional Time - LifeSource Christian Bookshop in honour of my parents, who shaped my Sabbath experiences and nurtured a strong devotional foundation.
Why Stories Matter
Author Lillian Daniel writes: “After we tell God’s story, it tells us, and then we have a new story to tell. The stories shape the community, and the community responds with new stories. But both the telling and the hearing have the power to transform.”
Stories create shared experiences. They connect past, present, and future. They help us understand where we have been, where we are, and where we may be going. Stories remind us that we belong, that there is a place for us within the community of faith.
When testimonies are shared, community cohesion is strengthened. Faith is nurtured. Hope is rekindled.
Your Opportunity to Share Your Story
The BUC Health Ministries Department is inviting members to share testimonies of publications that have enhanced their holistic wellbeing. As resources are developed for the wellbeing series, personal stories reflecting the life-changing impact of reading and reflection are welcomed.
There is also an opportunity to contribute to a new testimonial compilation, similar to Lighting Your Path - LifeSource Christian Bookshop as preparation begins for Volume 2.
With World Book Day approaching on 5 March 2026, this is a timely opportunity to reflect on the books that have influenced your faith journey. Perhaps there is a publication that marked a turning point in your life, or one that continues to inspire you. World Book Day 2026 – Ideas and Teaching Activities | National Literacy Trust
Why not share your testimony of how that book impacted you? You may even wish to discuss it within a book club or gift a book to someone as a blessing.
Happy reading – and happy storytelling.
The above books can be found at: https://lifesourcebookshop.co.uk/book_author/sharon-platt-mcdonald/
