About BibleTelling
There has been a dramatic change in how society approaches learning. People no longer prefer an analytical framework for receiving information. They are as talented and intellectual as other generations, but stories are much more important to them.
Another major difference in our society is how few Bible stories people know. For thousands of years, ordinary people did not have the privilege of owning a copy of the Scriptures. Therefore, they were excited to learn Scriptural stories. Today, Bible stories are not common in homes and schools. Churches do not focus on Bible stories, thinking they are for children. One participant at a BibleTelling training said, “We are learning stories that our pastor assumes we already know!”
So, the truth is, BibleTelling is not new. It is facilitating a rebirth of an old method of teaching the Bible. Those involved in BibleTelling travel around the world, speaking at conventions and conducting trainings for missionaries, pastors, teachers, and Christian workers. Some prison wardens have said that BibleTelling changed the atmosphere of their prison.
BibleTelling also provides a Bible story-based ESL program, an Adult Literacy program, and Bible studies for adults. Each year, churches and Christian organizations conduct BibleTelling Seminars in Israel, telling over 100 stories in 45 locations. There are also BibleTelling Seminars that follow the Footsteps of Paul.
Meet the Team
Our trainers are available to help others to learn, craft, and tell Bible stories.
Phyllis Hostmeyer
Storyteller, educator, and published author, Phyllis has traveled throughout the United States and the world telling stories and providing professional development. She was part of a team of professional tellers who traveled to Israel to do Bible tellings, but she also tells fables, wisdom tales, personal narratives, and rollicking rap versions of fairy tales! Phyllis can design a storytelling program to meet your needs. She is passionate about teaching the art of storytelling and has conducted workshops for churches, schools, retreat centers, conferences, and prisons. Don’t expect a “sausage workshop” – one where you sit and she stuffs you full of knowledge: her workshops lead you gently into active participation so that you will dazzle yourself with your own brilliance and your ability to learn and tell stories.
Sheila Arnold Jones
Sheila Arnold is a Professional StorySpeaker and Performer who facilitates a Tuesday online BibleTelling Session. Sheila began as a storyteller in 2003 and has journeyed with God through many roles which have led her to sharing BibleTelling sessions and providing BibleTelling workshops and seminars to whomever is curious. Sheila still travels extensively with her storytelling, Historic Character Presentation, history consultant work and workshops, but has created a BibleTelling Advisory Committee to help the online sessions be continuous and seamless. Join the online community for the 12:30 pm ET or 6:30 pm ET session at anytime.
John Walsh
John Walsh is the founder of BibleTelling, an organization dedicated to using Bible stories in ministries around the world. John is an author, speaker, and professional storyteller. He excels at helping people learn and tell Bible stories.
John and his wife Jan reside in Bloomington, Illinois. They have four grown children, fourteen grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Among other books, John has authored the following:
§ The Art of Storytelling: published by Moody Publishers since 2003. This is a practical guide on how to craft, tell, and use stories.
§ All the Stories of the Bible: John identified all the stories of the Bible, put them in chronological order, grouped them for ease of reading, and crafted them into a conversational style. It is designed to bring understanding to the overall story of the Bible. It is available as a free download.
§ Successful Living: studies in the book of Proverbs. This is a work-text course used by Christian Schools and home school families around the world. Many schools require their students to complete this course before graduating from high school.
§ Life Skills from the book of Proverbs, a course written for those who want to reinforce their knowledge of basic life principles. It presents basic attitudes essential for success. It coordinates with the website WisdomWorkout.com
§ Creative Communications Skills, a high school speech course
§ BibleTelling Old Testament Survey An educational Bible course available on Amazon.com
Jan Walsh
Jan Walsh has worked in individualized education venues for many years. Initially, she specialized in helping struggling students. Later, she worked in adult literacy, creating a Bible-based literacy program called Language Olympics. She has also developed a Bible-based ESL program.
Jan has worked with her husband, John, as Academic Content Creator to produce a number of high school courses. These include Successful Living, Creative Communication Skills, BibleTelling Old Testament Survey, and BibleTelling Life of Christ.
Don Falkos
Don Falkos is a storyteller, storytelling coach, and biblical teaching artist. He is the founder of Blessed By The Spoken Word, a ministry dedicated to telling the stories of the Bible and empowering others to do the same. Don is a contributing author to several storytelling books, including The Art of Storytelling by John Walsh. He has presented storytelling workshops and performed at events nationally and internationally. His extensive research and engaging storytelling style allow him to touch the minds and the hearts of his listeners. Don’s Two-Minute Bible is a podcast of two-minute stories spanning the entire Biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation.
Our Business Model
Our mission: “Sharing the story of God for discipleship using all the stories of the Bible.”
The Inner Circle: Our core ministry, headquartered in Bloomington, IL, USA, is focused on all the stories of the Bible. We have crafted and published the stories in simplified English and make them available in various contexts and media to families, schools, teachers, churches, and ministries around the world. We enjoy teaching people how to learn and tell the stories without memorizing them.
The Outer Circle: Individuals, families, and groups using the stories are independent of BibleTelling. We refer to them as “Experiencing BibleTelling.”