Frank Laubach

Frank Charles Laubach ( born September 2, 1884 in Benton, Pennsylvania, † June 11, 1970 in Syracuse ) was a Christian Evangelical missionary and mystic known as "The Apostle of the illiterates ."

In 1935, when he worked in the Philippines, he developed the literacy program Each Teaches Every ( " Each One Teach One" ), with about 60 million people reading was taught in their own language. He was very much about poverty, injustice and illiteracy, which he regarded as an obstacle to peace in the world. In 1955 he founded the association " Laubach Literacy" (reading and writing skills to Laubach ), which in 2002 with the union "Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc." merged to form " ProLiteracy Worldwide". During the last years of his life he traveled the world to discuss issues of literacy and world peace. He has written numerous religious writings and writings about literacy.

One of his most influential works has been the booklet entitled " Playing with the minutes " ("The Game with Minutes" ). In this work, Laubach urges Christians to think at least one second in each minute of the day to God. In this way, Christians can try to approach the habit of constant prayer, which is described in the book of Colossians. The brochure extolling the virtues of a life with constant focus on God. The insight Laubachs came from his prayer experiments, which are presented in detail in a collection of his letters and entitled " Letters of a modern mystic " ( "Letters by a Modern Mystic ' ) were published.

Remarkably been Laubachs interest in the affairs of the Philippines. He wrote a biography of the Philippine national hero, entitled " Jose Rizal: Man and Martyr ," which was published in 1936 in Manila. In addition, he has translated the valedictory end poem of the hero, "Mi Ultimo Adios " ( "My last good-bye " ), and its version is than the second for what regards thoughts, content, rhyme and style, in the collection of 35 English translations classified.

He is considered a pioneering promoter of the Maranao literature.

He wrote:

The Moros of Lake Lanao have an amazingly rich literature, the more amazing since it only exists in the memory of the people and has only begun to be written down. It consists of poetry and poetry, the epic predominates by far.

Honors

Laubach is the only American missionary who is pictured on a U.S. postage stamp. In 1984 a 30- cent stamp with his portrait.

Bibliography

Works in English

• The people of the Philippines: their religious progress and preparation for spiritual leadership in the Far East. George H. Doran, New York, 1925.
• Toward a literate world Columbia University Press, New York 1938.
• India Shall be literate. F. E. Livengood, Jubbulpore, C. P., India 1940.
• The silent billion speak. Friendship press, New York, 1945.
• The inspired letters in clearest English. Portions of the New Testament. Thomas Nelson and Sons, New York 1956.
• How to teach one and win one for Christ: Christ's plan for winning the world: each one teach and win one. Zondervan, Grand Rapids 1964.
• Forty years with the silent billion: adventuring in literacy. F. H. Revell Co., Old Tappan, 1970.

Works on German

• Every minute you're there. Playful discover God's presence. Classics of Christian Spirituality, vol 4 Neufeld Verlag, Black box 2013.