27 million Bibles distributed during 2007

PNW

Jesus Racing Gospel a hit with Aussie kids

27 million Bibles distributed during 2007 by Bible Societies worldwide

Bible Society announced this week that there had been a world-wide growth of five percent in Bible and scripture portion distribution in 2007. Maintaining a consistent trend from the previous year, the number of Bibles distributed by Bible Societies rose by around five per cent to almost 27 million (26,996,323). Bible Societies also distributed vast numbers of Testaments, Portions and Selections (the latter designed to convey the essence of the Gospel succinctly or tailored for people in a particular situation). Altogether, the number of Scripture items distributed totalled 391 million.

According to the statistical tables of the 2007 Scripture Distribution Report, issued by the United Bible Societies (UBS) Scripture distribution rose most sharply in the southern hemisphere, responding to the rapid growth of the Church there. What the Scripture Distribution Report does not reveal, however, is the very varied contexts in which Scripture distribution takes place. While some Bible Societies have an extensive network of warehouses, shops and other outlets and can make regular visits to places such as hospitals and children’s homes, others venture into the unknown every time they load their vehicle with a precious cargo of Scriptures. Poor infrastructure and hazards of all kinds can turn a distribution trip into a test of commitment and determination for Bible Society staff. Furthermore, in some countries, civil conflict makes some areas completely inaccessible for years.

Bible Society NSW has develop an innovative way of distributing scripture with the production of a special edition of Luke’s Gospel with a picture of a V8 Racing Ute on the cover. This ‘V8 edition’ was developed to support the Jesus Racing ministry of Andrew Fisher, driver of the ‘Jesus. All about life’ Ute in the Yokahama V8 Ute series around Australia. When he’s not racing, Andrew works with Bible Society’s schools team conducting seminars and speaking about his racing and why he’s got Jesus on the side of his Ute. To date, over 6,000 copies of the Gospel have been distributed. The Gospel includes Andrew’s testimony, some background on the racing series and steps to coming to faith.

“After I speak, we simply let the students know that they can come and get a free copy of the V8 Ute Gospel,” said Andrew. “We don’t just hand them out – but in most of the schools we have visited throughout Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales, more than half the students come and request a copy,” he said. “We don't force the students to take one, so the number of Gospels we hand out is reflective of the number of students who have actually lined up to request one,” Andrew said.

One teacher told Bible Society, “I teach seven, Year 7 classes and regularly give the students the opportunity to indicate if they want a Bible. They are stoked that they are free! I emphasise that I am willing to give them one if they are willing to read it – ten asked for a copy. A few weeks later we gave all classes the opportunity to indicate on a feedback sheet if they wanted to know more about Jesus or they wanted a Bible. We handed out a further 19 Bibles.”

Bible Society recently gave another school 300 Bibles to give to interested students who attend Scripture. Their SRE teacher said, “It was wonderful to see how well so many of the students responded to this gift. The students love the clear, easy to read format, and the interactive CD really grabs their attention, whilst reinforcing the messages communicated in Scripture.” “We’ve heard stories of students who have swapped their bedtime stories for Bible stories, other children are using their CD rather than playing computer games, other children have had to be given extra Bibles because other family members have taken and are using their Bible! We love how giving one child a Bible has the potential to affect and influence entire families – and communities,” the teacher said.