NBSI in Armenia
How a 2025 NBSI Grant Helped Bring God’s Word to Life Across Borders
This spring, the Network of Biblical Storytellers International (NBSI) supported a powerful global initiative through its 2025 grant program: a biblical storytelling mission to Armenia, led by three passionate NBSI members—Cliff Barbarick, Debbie Weir, and Dr. Tracy Radosevic.
Their journey wasn’t just about travel. It was about training, equipping, and inspiring a diverse, international community to engage Scripture through story.
Why Armenia? Why Now?
NBSI was invited by TRIAD, a mission organization focused on equipping Christ-followers in spiritually underserved regions. TRIAD saw in NBSI’s approach to storytelling—rooted in both biblical scholarship and Spirit-led expression—a unique and powerful way to share God’s Word, especially in places where traditional preaching may not resonate.
In March 2025, the NBSI team traveled to Yerevan, Armenia, where they led a three-day storytelling intensive for a cross-cultural group of students from Armenia, the United States, Iran, India, and France. Together, these learners formed a vibrant, supportive community—united not by language, but by a shared love for Christ and the stories that shape our faith.
Inside the Workshop
Throughout the training, participants explored:
Storytelling as a spiritual discipline
NBSI’s method of learning and internalizing Scripture
Performance techniques rooted in biblical performance criticism
Creative storytelling formats, including Bibliodrama and Godly Play
Each student was coached in small groups and, by the final day, stood to tell a full biblical story—some in English, others in Armenian or Farsi—proving that the heart of the Gospel transcends words and culture.
A Night to Remember
The week concluded with a public storytelling concert, themed “Encountering the Stranger.” Held in partnership with TRIAD and local churches, the event welcomed pastors, community members, and curious visitors. With live translation in Armenian and Farsi, the stories resonated in many tongues—creating a shared space of empathy, worship, and wonder.
Why This Matters
This trip is a perfect example of what the NBSI Grant Program is designed to do:
Support projects that bring biblical storytelling into new communities, raise up new tellers, and help the Word come alive in powerful and accessible ways.
The Armenia trip reminds us that storytelling is more than performance—it’s a ministry of connection, discipleship, and transformation. When we speak the sacred stories aloud, we’re not just recalling ancient words. We’re creating a living encounter with the Spirit.
Interested in applying for a grant?
Learn more about NBSI’s grant opportunities:
👉 nbsint.org/grant-application
