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Bay Area Bible Society
Bay Area Bible Society
Orthodox Outreach Organization
Orthodox Outreach Organization
What is BABS? BABS is an Orthodox outreach organization, registered as a non-profit organization in the state of California (EIN 33-1777952).
Why BABS? Our programs support the Church in two key areas: language accessibility and engaging young adults.
Who oversees BABS? We engage in activities with the approval and under the guidance of ordained priests in the Oriental Orthodox Church.
Who leads BABS? We are led by Orthodox priest advisors and a board of youth organizers working collaboratively across five committees.
Where is BABS? We are a network of individuals who belong to various Orthodox parishes across the Bay.
Vision: We envision a Bay Area where the distant will draw near, the near will become steadfast, and the steadfast will serve.
Mission: GOD willing, we aim to strengthen the faith and community of young Orthodox Christians (ages 18+) in the Bay Area through shared learning and service.
BABS Orthodox Communities in South Bay, Oakland, San Francisco
BABS Orthodox Communities in South Bay, Oakland, San Francisco
South Bay: SOSFormed in January 2024, the Salt of the South Community is inspired by CHRIST's teachings on being "the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50) and His reference to the queen of the South (Sheba), "for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon" (Matthew 12:42, 1 Kings 10:1-14).
Oakland: OAK9 Formed in May 2024, the Oakland 9 Saints Community is inspired by The 9 Saints (Tese'atu Kidusan), who journeyed to a new land to spread the seeds of faith.
San Francisco: 81 in the FogFormed in July 2024, the 81 in the Fog Community is inspired by the 81-book canon of the Orthodox Tewahedo Holy Bible and the foggy city of SF.
Start a BABS Community? If you are interested in forming a new BABS Community in your area, please email BayAreaBibleSociety@gmail.com.
Oakland: OAK9 Formed in May 2024, the Oakland 9 Saints Community is inspired by The 9 Saints (Tese'atu Kidusan), who journeyed to a new land to spread the seeds of faith.
San Francisco: 81 in the FogFormed in July 2024, the 81 in the Fog Community is inspired by the 81-book canon of the Orthodox Tewahedo Holy Bible and the foggy city of SF.
Start a BABS Community? If you are interested in forming a new BABS Community in your area, please email BayAreaBibleSociety@gmail.com.
BABS History since 2021
BABS History since 2021
- Aug 2021: BABS established as the Bay Area Bible Study.
- Co-founded by Father Nebiyou Elias, Deacon Sammy W., Kaleabb D., Kalekidan Y., Sewit A., and Eyob F.
- BABS programs included English sermons at various Orthodox parishes across the Bay and charity events in Oakland.
- March 2024: BABS incorporated "Tsom Time" events on Friday evenings during Great Lent in Oakland to foster community relations.
- In-home events included potluck dinner, bonfire, poker fundraiser, Bible jeopardy, Karaoke Mezmur, palm leaf weaving for Hosanna and painting.
- BABS programs continued to include English sermons at various Orthodox parishes across the Bay and charity events in Oakland.
- May 2024: BABS in Oakland combined with a South Bay Bible study group made up of Stanford alumni.
- BABS programs expanded to include multi-city weekly Bible studies in-person paired with monthly virtual Q&As with English-speaking priests.
- July 2024: BABS rebranded as the Bay Area Bible Society with a board of youth organizers.
- BABS organized its first weekend monastery retreat with Father Nebiyou and 31 total attendees.
BABS Orthodox Advisors: for pastoral guidance and blessing
BABS Orthodox Advisors: for pastoral guidance and blessing
Father Nebiyou Elias (Liqe Syuman Kesis Nebiyou)
Parish: Oakland Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Roles: BABS Co-founder, Advisor and Teacher
Email: kesis.nebiyou@gmail.com
We're seeking more Orthodox priests for advising! Requirements include fluency in English and being physically based in the Bay Area. Please email BayAreaBibleSociety@gmail.com or contact Father Nebiyou if interested.
BABS Orthodox Teachers: for Bible Q&As and English sermons
BABS Orthodox Teachers: for Bible Q&As and English sermons
Father Nebiyou Elias (Liqe Syuman Kesis Nebiyou)
Parish: Oakland Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Roles: BABS Co-founder, Advisor and Teacher
Email: kesis.nebiyou@gmail.com
Father Daniel (Megabe Haymanot Kesis Daniel)
Parish: Oakland Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Roles: BABS Teacher
Email:
We're seeking more Orthodox priests for leading virtual Q&As! Requirements include fluency in English and being physically based near the Pacific timezone. Please email BayAreaBibleSociety@gmail.com or contact Father Nebiyou if interested.
BABS Youth Organizers: for planning and coordination
BABS Youth Organizers: for planning and coordination
Kaleabb D.
Parish: Oakland Mekane Selam Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Cathedral
Roles: BABS Co-founder, Organizer and Planning Team Lead
Amman A.
Parish: Oakland Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Roles: BABS Organizer and Media Team Lead
Kidist A.
Parish: San Francisco Debre Yidras Kidus Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Roles: BABS Organizer and Finance Team Lead
Temesgen W.
Parish: San Jose Mekane Rama Saint Gabriel Cathedral Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Roles: BABS Organizer and Public Relations Team Lead
Bethleham A.
Parish: San Francisco Debre Yidras Kidus Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Roles: BABS Organizer and Community Service Team Lead
Deacon Kaleb T.
Parish: San Leandro Saint Mary Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Roles: BABS Organizer, Planning Team Member, Public Relations Team Member
Sewit A.
Parish: San Francisco Kidus Mikael Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Roles: BABS Organizer and Community Service Team Member
BABS Teams: for collaboration and focusing on specific goals
BABS Teams: for collaboration and focusing on specific goals
Planning Team:
Kaleabb D. (Lead) - Oakland Mekane Selam Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Cathedral
Deacon Kaleb T. - San Leandro Saint Mary Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Kidist A. - San Francisco Debre Yidras Kidus Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Public Relations Team:
Temesgen W. (Lead) - San Jose Mekane Rama Saint Gabriel Cathedral Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Deacon Kaleb T. - San Leandro Saint Mary Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Amman A. - Oakland Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Finance Team:
Kidist A. (Lead) - San Francisco Debre Yidras Kidus Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Bethleham A. - San Francisco Debre Yidras Kidus Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Community Service Team:
Bethleham A. (Lead) - San Francisco Debre Yidras Kidus Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Sewit A. - San Francisco Kidus Mikael Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church
Kaleabb D. - Oakland Mekane Selam Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Cathedral
Media Team:
Amman A. (Lead, Communications) - Oakland Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Ezra Z. (Advertisement) - San Jose Mekane Rama Saint Gabriel Cathedral Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Rediate B. (Cinematography) - Oakland Debre Meheret Kidus Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Etsubdink G. (Short-form Content) - San Francisco Debre Yidras Kidus Giorgis Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
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