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BFBS - Major Donor Brochure.indd 1 2/16/12 10:44 AM

Bible Society is a champion of God’s

Word. I have been inspired by the quality of their leadership and appreciate the intelligent and self-effacing approach they take to their work. Their mission is vital and I am delighted to be a part of it. — The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and Bible Society President

contents4 a shared mission

6 thank you

8 the Bible today

10 a strategic approach

14 God’s Word in action

20 working together

22 take action

24 a heritage of service & transformation

BFBS - Major Donor Brochure.indd 2-3 2/16/12 10:44 AM

Bible Society is a champion of God’s

Word. I have been inspired by the quality of their leadership and appreciate the intelligent and self-effacing approach they take to their work. Their mission is vital and I am delighted to be a part of it. — The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Bishop of London and Bible Society President

contents4 a shared mission

6 thank you

8 the Bible today

10 a strategic approach

14 God’s Word in action

20 working together

22 take action

24 a heritage of service & transformation

a shared mission

Bible Society exists to make the Bible available,

accessible and credible - to see God’s Word

shaping the lives of individuals and communities

throughout the world.

We’re on a mission to demonstrate that the Bible is

part of the solution to the world’s issues and not part

of the problem.

Everything we do is about releasing the Scriptures into

people’s lives. Working with others we have brought the

Bible’s message of hope and love to millions of people.

Much work still remains. Many millions still have

no access to a complete or current copy of the

Bible in their own language. Poverty, illiteracy, and

indifference further block people from the healing and

transformation the Scriptures bring.

Despite these challenges we have great hope. As it is

written, ‘So shall my word be that goes out from my

mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall

accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in

the thing for which I sent it’ Isaiah 55.11 (ESV).

In releasing your energy, prayers and gifts into this

work, you can be sure that God is underwriting

what we do together.

Supporters are the lifeblood of Bible Society, and we join together with you to achieve this work to which God has called us.

a shared mission

Bible Society exists to make the Bible available,

accessible and credible - to see God’s Word

shaping the lives of individuals and communities

throughout the world.

We’re on a mission to demonstrate that the Bible is

part of the solution to the world’s issues and not part

of the problem.

Everything we do is about releasing the Scriptures into

people’s lives. Working with others we have brought the

Bible’s message of hope and love to millions of people.

Much work still remains. Many millions still have

no access to a complete or current copy of the

Bible in their own language. Poverty, illiteracy, and

indifference further block people from the healing and

transformation the Scriptures bring.

Despite these challenges we have great hope. As it is

written, ‘So shall my word be that goes out from my

mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall

accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in

the thing for which I sent it’ Isaiah 55.11 (ESV).

In releasing your energy, prayers and gifts into this

work, you can be sure that God is underwriting

what we do together.

Supporters are the lifeblood of Bible Society, and we join together with you to achieve this work to which God has called us.

‘I want to say thank you to the people that brought the Bible to us here. I thank God for making them have love for us, and I thank God that they gave offerings to provide the Bible for people that don’t have it.’Tet Wehar, aged 16, at Tom Nup church Cambodia.

‘It feels as if God is my best friend because he is now speaking to me directly.

When I start reading I want to keep reading because God is speaking to me in my own language.’

Josephine Mkala Mungi, aged 33, one of the first Kikagulu people near Morogoro, Tanzania

to read the Bible in her own language.

‘I was awaiting execution in prison when I received my Bible through the Bibles for Alpha project.

One day I read that nothing is impossible with God. Well, Lord, I said, if that’s the case, then get

me out of prison and I will serve you, telling others how you set the captive free. Miraculously,

I was acquitted. I have now been into every prison in Zambia telling them the good news about

Jesus Christ and how, even in the direst of situations, Jesus can bring hope. Thank you so much.’

Paul Swala, Alpha Prisons’ Coordinator in Zambia

‘I feel that Christianity often gets a hard time. There are a lot of things I don’t get in the Bible

but I don’t think anyone can deny that the stories in the Bible are fab. That’s why I think this

competition is so fantastic - everyone loves films! So it’s a way to make the Bible cool!

My atheist flat-mate has really enjoyed seeing all the edits of my trailer along the way and even

watched all the final 10 entries from last year.’

Carolyn Goodyear, Entrant to The Pitch – Bible Society’s annual short-film competition.

‘The Bible makes me strong. I always think that the Bible was written for

orphans. I hope I will be able to become somebody through the Word of God.’

Surafel, Hanna’s Orphanage, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

‘I used to think that God had abandoned me, now I think that he loves me very much.’

Cecilia Mwangatua at the age of 17. Cecilia was diagnosed HIV positive at the age of 12 and forced to live alone in a

storeroom for three years until Bible Society’s Good Samaritan project came to her village in Tanzania and changed her life.

thank you

‘Oh you have given me the best and most beautiful gift because it is God’s Word.’

Maria Martinez at the age of 15 on receiving a Bible at a children’s oncology hospice next to

La Mascota Hospital, Managua where she is being treated for Leukaemia.

‘I want to say thank you to the people that brought the Bible to us here. I thank God for making them have love for us, and I thank God that they gave offerings to provide the Bible for people that don’t have it.’Tet Wehar, aged 16, at Tom Nup church Cambodia.

‘It feels as if God is my best friend because he is now speaking to me directly.

When I start reading I want to keep reading because God is speaking to me in my own language.’

Josephine Mkala Mungi, aged 33, one of the first Kikagulu people near Morogoro, Tanzania

to read the Bible in her own language.

‘I was awaiting execution in prison when I received my Bible through the Bibles for Alpha project.

One day I read that nothing is impossible with God. Well, Lord, I said, if that’s the case, then get

me out of prison and I will serve you, telling others how you set the captive free. Miraculously,

I was acquitted. I have now been into every prison in Zambia telling them the good news about

Jesus Christ and how, even in the direst of situations, Jesus can bring hope. Thank you so much.’

Paul Swala, Alpha Prisons’ Coordinator in Zambia

‘I feel that Christianity often gets a hard time. There are a lot of things I don’t get in the Bible

but I don’t think anyone can deny that the stories in the Bible are fab. That’s why I think this

competition is so fantastic - everyone loves films! So it’s a way to make the Bible cool!

My atheist flat-mate has really enjoyed seeing all the edits of my trailer along the way and even

watched all the final 10 entries from last year.’

Carolyn Goodyear, Entrant to The Pitch – Bible Society’s annual short-film competition.

‘The Bible makes me strong. I always think that the Bible was written for

orphans. I hope I will be able to become somebody through the Word of God.’

Surafel, Hanna’s Orphanage, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

‘I used to think that God had abandoned me, now I think that he loves me very much.’

Cecilia Mwangatua at the age of 17. Cecilia was diagnosed HIV positive at the age of 12 and forced to live alone in a

storeroom for three years until Bible Society’s Good Samaritan project came to her village in Tanzania and changed her life.

thank you

‘Oh you have given me the best and most beautiful gift because it is God’s Word.’

Maria Martinez at the age of 15 on receiving a Bible at a children’s oncology hospice next to

La Mascota Hospital, Managua where she is being treated for Leukaemia.

the Bible

todayMillions of people cannot access the

Bible in a language they can understand,

in a form they can use or at a price

they can afford.

T he need is urgent. Millions have no access to a

Bible or any understanding of the Bible’s value

for them and their communities.

• Of over 6,900 languages in the world today, 4,400

lack a translation of a single book of the Bible.

• The complete Bible is available in only

451 languages.

• Owning a Bible is a luxury many poor people

cannot afford.

• Of the one billion non-literate adults in the world

today, 98 percent live in developing nations; yet

only three percent of languages have the Bible in

audio form.

• Someone in the world goes blind every five

seconds, but 99.5 percent of languages lack a

complete Braille Bible.

• 77 percent of people in the UK are unengaged

or totally uninterested in the Bible.

• Many Christians lack the confidence or skills to

apply the Scriptures within society and throughout

their daily lives.

United Bible Societies have produced over 70%

of the full Bible translations in the world today.

Our translation systems are regarded as the best

in the world and we work with Christians of every

denomination, and governments and organisations at

every level - yet these challenges humble us deeply.

We cannot face them in our own strength and depend

on God as we seek to steward our efforts and resources

in ways that give the Holy Spirit the greatest freedom

to act among the largest number of people.

We trust and pray that this work will be like ‘a tree

planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in

season, and its leaf does not wither’ Psalm 1.3 (ESV).

the Bible

todayMillions of people cannot access the

Bible in a language they can understand,

in a form they can use or at a price

they can afford.

T he need is urgent. Millions have no access to a

Bible or any understanding of the Bible’s value

for them and their communities.

• Of over 6,900 languages in the world today, 4,400

lack a translation of a single book of the Bible.

• The complete Bible is available in only

451 languages.

• Owning a Bible is a luxury many poor people

cannot afford.

• Of the one billion non-literate adults in the world

today, 98 percent live in developing nations; yet

only three percent of languages have the Bible in

audio form.

• Someone in the world goes blind every five

seconds, but 99.5 percent of languages lack a

complete Braille Bible.

• 77 percent of people in the UK are unengaged

or totally uninterested in the Bible.

• Many Christians lack the confidence or skills to

apply the Scriptures within society and throughout

their daily lives.

United Bible Societies have produced over 70%

of the full Bible translations in the world today.

Our translation systems are regarded as the best

in the world and we work with Christians of every

denomination, and governments and organisations at

every level - yet these challenges humble us deeply.

We cannot face them in our own strength and depend

on God as we seek to steward our efforts and resources

in ways that give the Holy Spirit the greatest freedom

to act among the largest number of people.

We trust and pray that this work will be like ‘a tree

planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in

season, and its leaf does not wither’ Psalm 1.3 (ESV).

a strategic approach

TRANSLATION

Fresh, relevant, high quality translations are

essential if people are to understand and

engage with the Bible.

PRODUCTION

Producing Bibles in many user-friendly formats

including digital, audio and Braille.

DISTRIBUTION

Working with and through the Church and

other distribution channels to get Bibles

into the hands of people who hunger for

God’s Word.

LITERACY

A Bible is of no use unless it can be read or

heard. So literacy classes go hand in hand with

Bible translation in many parts of the world.

ENGAGEMENT

Helping people to engage with the Bible and

connecting it with their daily lives, whatever

their circumstances.

ADVOCACY

Restoring the credibility of the Bible and

advocating for the application of God’s Word

and wisdom within politics, media, the arts

and education.

R eleasing the full fruit of God’s Word

into people’s lives requires a clear

strategy. Handing someone a Bible is

not the goal. We want to help them read it

and to engage with its life-changing message.

Ultimately, we want to help people become

living examples of God’s Word in their

communities.

At home and internationally our aim is thus

to make the Bible available, accessible and

credible with a focus on six key areas:

We are passionate advocates of God’s Word. Our vision is for the Bible’s God-given revelation, inspiration and wisdom to be at work in every home and every heart.

a strategic approach

TRANSLATION

Fresh, relevant, high quality translations are

essential if people are to understand and

engage with the Bible.

PRODUCTION

Producing Bibles in many user-friendly formats

including digital, audio and Braille.

DISTRIBUTION

Working with and through the Church and

other distribution channels to get Bibles

into the hands of people who hunger for

God’s Word.

LITERACY

A Bible is of no use unless it can be read or

heard. So literacy classes go hand in hand with

Bible translation in many parts of the world.

ENGAGEMENT

Helping people to engage with the Bible and

connecting it with their daily lives, whatever

their circumstances.

ADVOCACY

Restoring the credibility of the Bible and

advocating for the application of God’s Word

and wisdom within politics, media, the arts

and education.

R eleasing the full fruit of God’s Word

into people’s lives requires a clear

strategy. Handing someone a Bible is

not the goal. We want to help them read it

and to engage with its life-changing message.

Ultimately, we want to help people become

living examples of God’s Word in their

communities.

At home and internationally our aim is thus

to make the Bible available, accessible and

credible with a focus on six key areas:

We are passionate advocates of God’s Word. Our vision is for the Bible’s God-given revelation, inspiration and wisdom to be at work in every home and every heart.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIPWhere the Bible goes, the Church grows. And where the

Church grows, there is always an urgent need for the

Bible. In this respect, the Bible is the foundational text

for all Christian charities and denominations.

That’s why Bible Society is not ‘one among many’ but

an essential resource for all – if it didn’t exist we’d

have to invent it. Working in partnership with the

Church and other organisations such as Hosanna,

Alpha International and Renovaré, is vitally important

to us and essential to the delivery of our mission. We

use these relationships to model and disseminate

best practices, working always towards tangible and

measurable outcomes.

WORKING IN FELLOWSHIPBible Society is part of an international fellowship of

more than 140 independent Bible Societies around

the world, known as United Bible Societies. Our entire

international programme is delivered on the ground

through the close relationship we have with each of our

fellow Bible Societies.

NOT AFRAID TO TAKE RISKSIn all that we do, we work by faith. We never pass

over a good idea as being too ambitious or too big.

We run pilots and test projects – both at home and

internationally – and prayerfully evaluate the results.

Inevitably, some don’t pass the test, so we make sure

that we learn lessons from these. But most fly, and we

scale these up as resources and time permit.

‘Bible Society is as effective today as it has been over

the years. Everything it does is carefully and prayerfully

considered allowing it to adapt to new and changing

situations and maintain its cutting edge approach.’

Eric and Grace Payne – Long-term supporters of Bible Society

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIPWhere the Bible goes, the Church grows. And where the

Church grows, there is always an urgent need for the

Bible. In this respect, the Bible is the foundational text

for all Christian charities and denominations.

That’s why Bible Society is not ‘one among many’ but

an essential resource for all – if it didn’t exist we’d

have to invent it. Working in partnership with the

Church and other organisations such as Hosanna,

Alpha International and Renovaré, is vitally important

to us and essential to the delivery of our mission. We

use these relationships to model and disseminate

best practices, working always towards tangible and

measurable outcomes.

WORKING IN FELLOWSHIPBible Society is part of an international fellowship of

more than 140 independent Bible Societies around

the world, known as United Bible Societies. Our entire

international programme is delivered on the ground

through the close relationship we have with each of our

fellow Bible Societies.

NOT AFRAID TO TAKE RISKSIn all that we do, we work by faith. We never pass

over a good idea as being too ambitious or too big.

We run pilots and test projects – both at home and

internationally – and prayerfully evaluate the results.

Inevitably, some don’t pass the test, so we make sure

that we learn lessons from these. But most fly, and we

scale these up as resources and time permit.

‘Bible Society is as effective today as it has been over

the years. Everything it does is carefully and prayerfully

considered allowing it to adapt to new and changing

situations and maintain its cutting edge approach.’

Eric and Grace Payne – Long-term supporters of Bible Society

God’s Word is unavailable in some cultures, and is being aggressively excluded and undermined in others. All our work seeks to overcome this for the glory of God.

God’s Word in action

God’s Word is unavailable in some cultures, and is being aggressively excluded and undermined in others. All our work seeks to overcome this for the glory of God.

T hese projects relate to each of our strategic priorities and illustrate specific ways in which, with your help, we can bring God’s Word to those who are cut off from it, either through lack of access to a Bible in their own language or by a culture which views the Bible as outdated and irrelevant.

TRANSLATION JAMAICA

Jamaican Patois is the

English-based language

of the slaves, trade in

which was abolished

in Jamaica almost 175

years ago. It is spoken by

an estimated 5 million

Jamaicans and diaspora

around the world and for hundreds of thousands it is

their mother tongue. Work on the New Testament will

complete in 2012 on the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s

independence. Patois is widely used in reggae music

and other art forms and has a profound impact on

Jamaican and wider youth culture around the world.

The translation will be made available in a wide range

of digital and print formats. The Rev Roy Wickham, a

Baptist minister and one of eight chaplains ministering

to Jamaica’s police force, is a strong supporter of

making God’s Word available in Jamaican Patois. Luke’s

Gospel has already been dramatised and performed

on the streets amongst marginalised inner city

communities affected by violence, unemployment and

family breakdown. Scripture portions are distributed

after each performance and many people are already

hearing God speak to them in their own language for

the very first time.

‘People know the situations featured in the play and

they usually end badly. This drama allows people to

see it in a different way. I’ve seen it – they look into

themselves and their own lives and want to do

things differently.’

Kadeem Wilson, 20, who plays one of the gang leaders in the play.

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION CHINA

The Christian

population of

mainland China

is growing

exponentially.

Officially the

estimate is 30

million although

unofficially it exceeds 100 million. Banned and burned

during the Cultural Revolution many millions of Bibles

are now being printed in China, the first rolling off the

same presses as Mao Zedong’s Little Red Book.

Bible Society co-founded the Amity Printing Press with

the China Christian Council in 1987. Since then almost

100 million Bibles have been printed, around 60% of

which have been distributed within China. Trains and

trucks take the Bibles to over 70 distribution centres

across the country. They are then either picked up by

churches or delivery vans supplying rural communities

further afield.

The biggest challenge now faced by the Church is

the invasion of divisive and unorthodox teachings,

especially in rural areas. The China Christian Council

recognises how important Bible ownership is to growth

in truth and faith yet demand outstrips supply. Millions

of people in rural areas cannot afford the full cost and

still yearn for a Bible of their own.

Getting the Bible out could not be more urgent. Bible

Society provides a paper subsidy to bring down the cost

of Bibles and in some areas distributes them for free.

LITERACY TANZANIA

‘Faith Comes

by Hearing’ is a

global programme

that brings

the Scriptures

to non-literate

communities via

a portable, wind-up, solar-powered device called a

Proclaimer, which is loaded with the New Testament in

local languages. As well as providing Proclaimers, FCBH

projects also set up listening groups where communities

gather, listen to the Bible and discuss its message

together. In Tanzania, there are already over 7,000

listening groups, with an average of 20 members each.

Many more groups are planned in rural areas amongst

fishing and farming communities. Groups are often the

spring-board for literacy training and social action as

communities come together and apply

God’s Word in their lives.

‘I knew I wasn’t saved until I heard God speak to my

heart for the first time through the Proclaimer. It’s

introduced me to God’s great love. The Proclaimer is my

source of faith because it’s the only way I hear what

God is saying to me.’

Margaret Lucinde, a farmer in her 60s, has had her faith

transformed by attending an FCBH group in her village,

Nala, Dodoma, Tanzania.

ENGAGEMENT BOLIVIA

Poverty, gender

violence and

abandonment are

endemic in Bolivia.

Bible Society is

working with

five key Christian

agencies focusing on these problems and seeking to

break the cycle for future generations.

The aim is to help them to ‘do Bible better’ and to

mainstream God’s Word in and through all their

activities. A range of Scripture-based materials help

people working their way out of desperate situations

to hear God’s Word, to receive his love and restore their

self esteem, their sense of purpose and their direction

in life.

There are currently 800 girls on the streets of

Cochabamba alone (Bolivia’s fourth largest city with a

population of around one million). Marcella used to be

one of them. Desperate to give her own child a better

life she sought help and is now working as an educator

and outreach worker using Bible Society materials to

help street girls to overcome their pain and rebuild

their self esteem. Over the last 20 years Bible Society’s

partner on this project has made a lasting life-changing

difference to 39% of the girls they have helped. With

Bible Society’s help they hope to drive this even higher.

T hese projects relate to each of our strategic priorities and illustrate specific ways in which, with your help, we can bring God’s Word to those who are cut off from it, either through lack of access to a Bible in their own language or by a culture which views the Bible as outdated and irrelevant.

TRANSLATION JAMAICA

Jamaican Patois is the

English-based language

of the slaves, trade in

which was abolished

in Jamaica almost 175

years ago. It is spoken by

an estimated 5 million

Jamaicans and diaspora

around the world and for hundreds of thousands it is

their mother tongue. Work on the New Testament will

complete in 2012 on the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s

independence. Patois is widely used in reggae music

and other art forms and has a profound impact on

Jamaican and wider youth culture around the world.

The translation will be made available in a wide range

of digital and print formats. The Rev Roy Wickham, a

Baptist minister and one of eight chaplains ministering

to Jamaica’s police force, is a strong supporter of

making God’s Word available in Jamaican Patois. Luke’s

Gospel has already been dramatised and performed

on the streets amongst marginalised inner city

communities affected by violence, unemployment and

family breakdown. Scripture portions are distributed

after each performance and many people are already

hearing God speak to them in their own language for

the very first time.

‘People know the situations featured in the play and

they usually end badly. This drama allows people to

see it in a different way. I’ve seen it – they look into

themselves and their own lives and want to do

things differently.’

Kadeem Wilson, 20, who plays one of the gang leaders in the play.

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION CHINA

The Christian

population of

mainland China

is growing

exponentially.

Officially the

estimate is 30

million although

unofficially it exceeds 100 million. Banned and burned

during the Cultural Revolution many millions of Bibles

are now being printed in China, the first rolling off the

same presses as Mao Zedong’s Little Red Book.

Bible Society co-founded the Amity Printing Press with

the China Christian Council in 1987. Since then almost

100 million Bibles have been printed, around 60% of

which have been distributed within China. Trains and

trucks take the Bibles to over 70 distribution centres

across the country. They are then either picked up by

churches or delivery vans supplying rural communities

further afield.

The biggest challenge now faced by the Church is

the invasion of divisive and unorthodox teachings,

especially in rural areas. The China Christian Council

recognises how important Bible ownership is to growth

in truth and faith yet demand outstrips supply. Millions

of people in rural areas cannot afford the full cost and

still yearn for a Bible of their own.

Getting the Bible out could not be more urgent. Bible

Society provides a paper subsidy to bring down the cost

of Bibles and in some areas distributes them for free.

LITERACY TANZANIA

‘Faith Comes

by Hearing’ is a

global programme

that brings

the Scriptures

to non-literate

communities via

a portable, wind-up, solar-powered device called a

Proclaimer, which is loaded with the New Testament in

local languages. As well as providing Proclaimers, FCBH

projects also set up listening groups where communities

gather, listen to the Bible and discuss its message

together. In Tanzania, there are already over 7,000

listening groups, with an average of 20 members each.

Many more groups are planned in rural areas amongst

fishing and farming communities. Groups are often the

spring-board for literacy training and social action as

communities come together and apply

God’s Word in their lives.

‘I knew I wasn’t saved until I heard God speak to my

heart for the first time through the Proclaimer. It’s

introduced me to God’s great love. The Proclaimer is my

source of faith because it’s the only way I hear what

God is saying to me.’

Margaret Lucinde, a farmer in her 60s, has had her faith

transformed by attending an FCBH group in her village,

Nala, Dodoma, Tanzania.

ENGAGEMENT BOLIVIA

Poverty, gender

violence and

abandonment are

endemic in Bolivia.

Bible Society is

working with

five key Christian

agencies focusing on these problems and seeking to

break the cycle for future generations.

The aim is to help them to ‘do Bible better’ and to

mainstream God’s Word in and through all their

activities. A range of Scripture-based materials help

people working their way out of desperate situations

to hear God’s Word, to receive his love and restore their

self esteem, their sense of purpose and their direction

in life.

There are currently 800 girls on the streets of

Cochabamba alone (Bolivia’s fourth largest city with a

population of around one million). Marcella used to be

one of them. Desperate to give her own child a better

life she sought help and is now working as an educator

and outreach worker using Bible Society materials to

help street girls to overcome their pain and rebuild

their self esteem. Over the last 20 years Bible Society’s

partner on this project has made a lasting life-changing

difference to 39% of the girls they have helped. With

Bible Society’s help they hope to drive this even higher.

ENGAGEMENT ENGL AND AND WALES

A 2008 study of 3000

church leaders and

members found that only

one in seven Christians

were ‘very confident’

they knew the Bible well. Many were asking for help

to understand it better, to apply it in everyday

decisions and to make it easier to explain to

non church-going friends.

Using a ‘training of trainers’ model ‘H+ Making Good

Sense of the Bible’ runs across 10 interactive sessions

to unearth Scripture’s meaning, to recognise the ‘filters’

which often distort how we read it and to gain greater

understanding of its overall message. H+ was first

piloted in July 2011 and will be made available to

churches across the country from 2012.

‘People are engaging with the Bible far more deeply

than they have before – and it’s given them a thirst to

go on. All those who came got a great deal out of it.’

Revd Elaine Jones, Vicar of St Bartholomew’s, Binley, Coventry.

ADVOCACY ENGL AND AND WALES

Theos (theosthinktank.co.uk )

is a public theology think tank.

It conducts research, publishes

reports, and holds high-profile

debates on the role of Christianity

in public life. Theos engages in the battle of ideas

from an open, orthodox, and interdenominational

Christian position.

Whilst Theos receives an annual grant from Bible

Society it is entirely editorially independent: Bible

Society pays Theos to think, not what to think. Its

objective is to show that the Scriptures have a serious

and important contribution to make to public life in

the UK today. Its primary audience is ‘opinion formers’:

journalists, commentators, politicians, academics,

theologians, and public intellectuals.

‘Theos provokes people to think differently about

themselves and the world. It is intellectually robust,

politically astute and bursting with talent and fresh

ideas, providing a welcome alternative to the rigid

orthodoxies of secular culture.’

Dr Michael Moynagh, Director, Tomorrow Project.

‘Bible Society, probably best known for its provision of Bibles globally, are pioneers of ‘The Pitch’ - an innovative

and creative way to present incredible Biblical stories through the modern medium of film. This holds the potential

to access thousands currently unreached with the gospel, in a fresh and culturally relevant format. Allied with the

inspirational team at Bible Society, it brings a vision with which I am pleased to be associated.’

Steven Lancaster - Executive Director, The Grand, Clitheroe.

ENGAGEMENT ENGL AND AND WALES

A 2008 study of 3000

church leaders and

members found that only

one in seven Christians

were ‘very confident’

they knew the Bible well. Many were asking for help

to understand it better, to apply it in everyday

decisions and to make it easier to explain to

non church-going friends.

Using a ‘training of trainers’ model ‘H+ Making Good

Sense of the Bible’ runs across 10 interactive sessions

to unearth Scripture’s meaning, to recognise the ‘filters’

which often distort how we read it and to gain greater

understanding of its overall message. H+ was first

piloted in July 2011 and will be made available to

churches across the country from 2012.

‘People are engaging with the Bible far more deeply

than they have before – and it’s given them a thirst to

go on. All those who came got a great deal out of it.’

Revd Elaine Jones, Vicar of St Bartholomew’s, Binley, Coventry.

ADVOCACY ENGL AND AND WALES

Theos (theosthinktank.co.uk )

is a public theology think tank.

It conducts research, publishes

reports, and holds high-profile

debates on the role of Christianity

in public life. Theos engages in the battle of ideas

from an open, orthodox, and interdenominational

Christian position.

Whilst Theos receives an annual grant from Bible

Society it is entirely editorially independent: Bible

Society pays Theos to think, not what to think. Its

objective is to show that the Scriptures have a serious

and important contribution to make to public life in

the UK today. Its primary audience is ‘opinion formers’:

journalists, commentators, politicians, academics,

theologians, and public intellectuals.

‘Theos provokes people to think differently about

themselves and the world. It is intellectually robust,

politically astute and bursting with talent and fresh

ideas, providing a welcome alternative to the rigid

orthodoxies of secular culture.’

Dr Michael Moynagh, Director, Tomorrow Project.

‘Bible Society, probably best known for its provision of Bibles globally, are pioneers of ‘The Pitch’ - an innovative

and creative way to present incredible Biblical stories through the modern medium of film. This holds the potential

to access thousands currently unreached with the gospel, in a fresh and culturally relevant format. Allied with the

inspirational team at Bible Society, it brings a vision with which I am pleased to be associated.’

Steven Lancaster - Executive Director, The Grand, Clitheroe.

You’ll be engaged as a partner – as a co-worker with Christ in the fulfilment of God’s great commission.

O ur aim is to connect you to Bible Society’s

work in line with your own interests and

passions. As a valued partner, you will be kept

up to date on the projects that your gift has helped

to realise. You’ll receive regular news and reports to

inform and enrich your prayers for the work.

You’ll be invited to field trips and events that get you

closer to the people who directly benefit from your gift,

and those who run the projects on the ground. Where

appropriate we will get you directly involved.

In order to steward our shared resources wisely, we

put monitoring, evaluation and learning at the heart

of our work. Where possible, we identify and measure

indicators that show us how the Holy Spirit is at work

in people’s lives as a result of your gifts.

As we work alongside you and our beneficiaries we

seek to reflect the character, example, and attitude of

Jesus Christ. We will show you the impact your gifts

are having, and show you how your input is helping

to transform lives as people encounter the amazing

message of the Bible.

‘It has been a real privilege to support Bible Society

- a huge blessing for our whole family. We have met

staff from the Bible Societies of Belarus, Rwanda and

South Africa and are always impressed with their faith,

dedication and commitment. The work being done

in South African prisons with Alpha is particularly

impressive, significantly reducing the reoffending rate

of those prisoners taking part.’

Philip and Judy Green – Long-term supporters of Bible Society

working

together

You’ll be engaged as a partner – as a co-worker with Christ in the fulfilment of God’s great commission.

O ur aim is to connect you to Bible Society’s

work in line with your own interests and

passions. As a valued partner, you will be kept

up to date on the projects that your gift has helped

to realise. You’ll receive regular news and reports to

inform and enrich your prayers for the work.

You’ll be invited to field trips and events that get you

closer to the people who directly benefit from your gift,

and those who run the projects on the ground. Where

appropriate we will get you directly involved.

In order to steward our shared resources wisely, we

put monitoring, evaluation and learning at the heart

of our work. Where possible, we identify and measure

indicators that show us how the Holy Spirit is at work

in people’s lives as a result of your gifts.

As we work alongside you and our beneficiaries we

seek to reflect the character, example, and attitude of

Jesus Christ. We will show you the impact your gifts

are having, and show you how your input is helping

to transform lives as people encounter the amazing

message of the Bible.

‘It has been a real privilege to support Bible Society

- a huge blessing for our whole family. We have met

staff from the Bible Societies of Belarus, Rwanda and

South Africa and are always impressed with their faith,

dedication and commitment. The work being done

in South African prisons with Alpha is particularly

impressive, significantly reducing the reoffending rate

of those prisoners taking part.’

Philip and Judy Green – Long-term supporters of Bible Society

working

together

actionGod’s Word is life and it is Spirit. It makes things happen. In releasing your energy, prayers and gifts into this work, you can be sure that God is underwriting what we do together.

L ike you, we want the Scriptures to transform this world so that resignation gives way to hope, apathy becomes compassion, and self-reliance

is transformed into an active, loving, thoughtful and generous faith.

We need your support and invite you to join us to make God’s Word available, accessible and credible to all.

For more information, please contact Bible Society’s Key Relationships Team at any time. We would love to hear from you.

[email protected] 01793 418267

actionGod’s Word is life and it is Spirit. It makes things happen. In releasing your energy, prayers and gifts into this work, you can be sure that God is underwriting what we do together.

L ike you, we want the Scriptures to transform this world so that resignation gives way to hope, apathy becomes compassion, and self-reliance

is transformed into an active, loving, thoughtful and generous faith.

We need your support and invite you to join us to make God’s Word available, accessible and credible to all.

For more information, please contact Bible Society’s Key Relationships Team at any time. We would love to hear from you.

[email protected] 01793 418267

heritage of service & transformation

1800 In North Wales, 15-year-old Mary Jones walks over 25 miles, barefoot,

to buy her first Bible. It inspires the formation of what will become a global

movement of Bible Societies.

1804 William Wilberforce and other members of the Clapham Sect are instrumental

in founding the British and Foreign Bible Society.

1904 181 million copies of Scripture have been supplied and 1,000 colporteurs

are employed to distribute Bibles around the world.

1939-45 Staff at Bible House, London, continue their work amid falling bombs and fires

during World War Two. Around 45 million copies of Scripture are circulated.

1946 Formation of the United Bible Societies to coordinate the work of the

growing number of national Bible Societies.

1976 The Good News Bible is published. It soon becomes the world’s most

popular translation.

1987 Chinese Bibles roll off the presses in China, and the Amity Printing Company

starts its journey to becoming the world’s biggest Bible printing centre.

2004 200 years of Bible Society is celebrated with a service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

2011 The People’s Bible creates the world’s first ever handwritten digital Bible, during

the 400th anniversary year of the first publication of the King James Bible.

2012 . . . and beyond. Bible Society’s campaign to position the Bible as ‘surprisingly

good’ sees increasing acceptance of the Bible as part of the solution,

rather than part of the problem, to the challenges facing our society.

Partnering with Bible Society means joining a movement begun in 1804 – founded on inspiration, vision, and the transforming power of God’s Word.