Bibles are being handed out hand-over-fist in Sydney's south-west thanks to the vision of an Anglicare worker and her Macarthur-based church.

Eighteen months ago Wendy Estall, Anglicare manager for Macarthur / Liverpool region, began developing a deep conviction that her clients needed to come face to face with the Bible.

“There are so many needy people who come through our doors every day. They need more than material assistance; they need counselling, emotional support. They are disadvantaged, vulnerable and often isolated. There’s not always an opportunity for staff to share the Gospel.  So I thought, why not make a new testament available?” Ms Estall says.

She began by buying a 100 Bibles to leave in three of Anglicare's waiting rooms. They were gone in a month. 400 more Bibles went just as quickly.

Parents were looking for Bible stories for their children; Muslim and Hindu inquirers were looking to find out more.

“One lady didn’t have enough money to put food on the table; it was several days since she’d eaten. She took a Bible and just sat in the car park for half an hour and read it. Then she came back and got six more.”

When the Bibles started running out, Ms Estall contacted her local Anglican church in Denham Court.

Minister, the Rev Cameron Monroe, says his parishioners and the people Anglicare are helping are worlds apart.

“If you don’t have a million bucks, you don’t live in our area," Mr Monroe says.

But members were quick to rise to the task, with up to eight people volunteering to work in meal ministries and the parish council providing funds for more Bibles.

Mr Monroe says churches have to do away with the artificial separation between preaching and pastoral care.

“We believe very, very firmly that a Christian’s witness is their words and their life," he says.

“I’ve always been aware of the work Anglicare is doing and I see it as a vital part of the mission. But often it looks like lots of churches use Anglicare as an excuse to forget the practical side of the Gospel.”

Ms Estall is looking to find more congregations keen to partner in this growing work.

“People are not only wanting food, they’re wanting to hear the word of God. They are street people who may not go into churches, but they have no inhibitions about picking up a Bible.”

Churches keen to donate Bibles to the program can contact Wendy Estall at westall@anglicare.org.au