Twenty Million More Bibles Provided

Release Date:
March 15, 1999

Worldwide Scripture Distribution
Increased in 1998

Photo: Scriptures sell out rapidly from one of the Kiosks in Nanjing, PR China READING, England — The number of Bibles distributed by Bible Societies throughout the world rose by more than half a million in 1998, a significant increase over the previous year.

Bibles distributed in 1998 reached 20,751,515. The number of New Testaments distributed increased by more than one million. In all, Bible Societies around the world distributed 585,023,708 pieces of Scripture – 23 million more than in 1997, according to the UBS Scripture Distribution Report 1998.

This is some cause for encouragement. These increases represent a forward movement in Bible work around the world. More people are being reached with the Word of God today.

Courage

A statistical report can never tell the story of an individual distributor’s courage and stamina, or the massive organisation some Scripture distributions require. It is easy to look at the figures, compare them with the previous year, and make conclusions not necessarily justified. This assessment is presented in the knowledge that the full story behind the figures is not always available.

A statistical report can never tell the story of an individual distributor’s courage and stamina, or the massive organisation some Scripture distributions require.

Breaking down the figures in the report to regional levels, the increases in Bible sales are most notable in the Americas where 23 of the 28 national Societies distributed more Bibles compared with the previous year. Argentina was just short of the quarter million mark, while Colombia distributed more than half a million Bibles.

Significant

Cuba saw a significant increase from 67,691 Bibles distributed in 1997 to 218,885 in 1998. The Dominican Republic registered increased distribution right across the board – Bibles, New Testaments, Portions and Selections – as did Chile and Guatemala. The Bible Society of Mexico saw an increase of more than 3.6 million which represents almost 40 per cent growth.

The Haitian Bible Society almost doubled its Selection distribution, and increased its Bible sales by more than 16,000. While in El Salvador, almost 115,000 people bought Bibles in 1998 – almost 33 per cent more than previously.

For Brazil, the growth goes on: not long ago the Bible Society became a net supporter able to contribute to the World Service Program. Local distribution is still increasing: Bible distribution rose by 3 per cent, and New Reader Portions topped 1,206,287. The Society distributed just short of 170 million Selections despite the country’s economic pressures. It helps to have thousands of dedicated volunteer distributors and at least 13,000 people who pray for Bible work.

‘Extreme Faith’

The American Bible Society is still the top distribution organisation in this region, boosting Bible sales by 600,000, and New Testament and Portion distribution by almost two million each. Many events around the country help to draw people to the Bible, such as ‘Bible Rally 1998’ where 600 youngsters were introduced to Extreme Faith CEV Bibles (please see World Report July/August 1998, 332/33). In fact, it is mostly thanks to the Contemporary English Version (CEV) Bible, and the success of the Faith Comes By Hearing program, that distribution has increased in the USA.

Africa Nations Cup

In Africa, Bible distribution improved for 20 national Societies but fell in 17 countries. Ethiopia, Dem. Rep. Congo, Malawi and Nigeria saw significant increases in Bible sales. Sierra Leone and Congo national Societies almost doubled their Bible distribution, while events such as the Africa Nations Cup, held in Burkina Faso, created opportunities for host countries to distribute many more Selections than they would usually (please see World Report July/August 1998, 332/9).

It is often the experience of Bible Societies that people turn to the comfort and guidance contained in the Bible during the times of great difficulty

The distribution of New Reader Portions in Kenya has leaped forward with 718,089 in 1998 compared with 3,532 in the previous year. Portions in new languages such as Kiembu-Kimbeere help people to better understand their own language, and encourage especially the younger people to learn to read their own mother tongue. Dr Mae Alice Reggy-Mamo, UBS New Reader Consultant, has many stories of how New Reader Portions have helped young people to break away from traditional abuse and find new self-esteem and freedom through the Christian message. (Please see World Report April/May 1998, 330/18.)

‘Jesus’ film impact

In some countries, such as Liberia, the Bible Society depends heavily upon shipments of Scriptures received. Although Bible sales were down here, the distribution of New Testaments, Portions and New Reader Portions was increased in each category. In Sudan, with the frequent showing of the Jesus film, almost one million Gospels, New Reader Portions, New Testaments and Selections were distributed. Most readers will buy Bibles eventually, when they are available in their language.
Photo: Young women examine Scripture Portions presented to them by volunteers of the Malagasy Bible Society

Photo: Young women examine Scripture Portions presented to them by volunteers of the Malagasy Bible Society

In Asia, China saw distribution rise by more than 200,000 to almost 2.4 million Bibles. There is now a major effort to reach rural Christians with God’s Word. In Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Cambodia there were significant increases in the sales of all types of Scriptures.

Economic crash

However, in general, the crash of currencies and the desperate economic plight of many countries in the Far East has taken its toll on Scripture distribution. Despite this, figures for Indonesia – Bibles and New Reader Portions – and Thailand increased over the previous year. It is often the experience of Bible Societies that people turn to the comfort and guidance contained in the Bible during times of great difficulty.

“It seems that there are more people looking for the Bible than ever before,” said the Rev E Sembiring, Director of Distribution with the Bible Society of Indonesia.

Economic problems caused a significant fall – by 43 per cent – in the sale of Bibles in South Korea, and New Testaments and Portions also dropped in sales in Hong Kong and Malaysia. But distribution of New Reader Portions rose in India by more than one million, bringing their total of bound Scriptures distributed to just under 14 million items.

In the Philippines the Bible Society increased Scripture distribution across the board, with more than 2.6 million Bibles, New Testaments and Portions reaching people in need throughout the year.

“The Bible is seen as a silent, major force in liberating Filipinos from unbiblical traditions and beliefs,” one report said, as people celebrated 100 years of freedom of access to the Bible. (Please see World Report December 1998, 336/1.)

In the Middle East, distribution in Egypt has risen tremendously, with 1998 figures just missing the one million mark for Bibles, New Testaments and Portions. This represents an increase of almost 70 per cent over the previous year. Jordan, Syria, West Bank and Lebanon also saw slight increases.

Joy to the refugees

For Europe, in several countries such as Georgia, Lithuania and Latvia, Bible distribution is still in its infancy and growing fast. Thanks to a Land Rover donated by the Bible Society fellowship, Bible workers in Georgia were able to reach the distant town of Zugdidi, in Central Samegrelo, and refugee camps where hundreds of Bibles brought joy to these poor people who have fled or had their homes destroyed because of violence. (Please see World Report September 1998, 333/27.)

“People who may never have seen a Bible in their lifetime have the opportunity to get and read their own copy”

In Belarus and in Russia, Bible distribution rose by 44 per cent and 7 per cent respectively over the previous year, with Russia distributing 312,187 Bibles and just under 200,000 Portions in 1998. Anatoly Rudenko, the Director of the Bible Society in Russia, was delighted when the Society was officially registered early in 1999.

“Now we can move forward with our work knowing we have the legal authority to do so,” he said. The Society has been reaching many people through advertising on television. People write in to obtain their copy of the Bible. “In this way, people who may never have seen a Bible in their lifetime have the opportunity to get and read their own copy,” Mr Rudenko added.

The most Bibles distributed by European Bible Societies in 1998 were in Germany, followed by Russia and then in England and Wales. Societies in Sweden, Scotland, Switzerland and Denmark registered significant increases over the previous year’s figures.
Photo: Samantha (left), Distribution Promoter of the Bible Society in the Netherlands Antilles, shows Scriptures to children in the Bible Bus
On a smaller scale, Turkey, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), and Macedonia also saw notable increased distribution.

Circumstances

“As interesting as these statistics are, it must be remembered that many different circumstances come into play in the course of a year for a national Bible Society,” said the Rev Fergus Macdonald, General Secretary of the UBS.

“Sometimes the Scriptures needed for a program are not delivered on time; sometimes a nation’s economic problems cause people to hold off from buying Scriptures. The distribution of Selections can boost a national Society’s figures one year, and the following year its distribution appears to have fallen.

“It is a truly global effort, and there is great cause to praise God for the increases we see. But we still have a long way to go before we can claim to satisfy the growing hunger for the Word of God.”

“The most useful comparison is of actual Bibles distributed. We try to offer the Bible at an average cost of a basic meal for that country. In most cases the Bibles have to be subsidised,” he explained.

“The distribution contained in this report represents support from the UBS World Service Program which shares out on average some US $40 million received from supporting Societies every year. There are many other Bible distribution programs supported by other means.

World Distribution of Scriptures by Bible Societies
November 1, 1997 – October 31, 1998

The figures below represent the Scripture Distribution by Bible Societies and Bible Society Offices that together form the United Bible Societies. They do not include distribution by other publishers.

	Bibles	Testaments	Portions	NR Portions	Selections	NR Selections
Africa	2,436,187	541,915	1,325,206	1,494,911	4,024,764	350,092
Americas	9,869,916	12,743,263	7,074,311	6,277,936	315,468,625	25,120,757
Asia-Pacific	6,213,113	5,368,429	9,007,281	8,262,462	151,042,342	9,765,191
Europe-Middle East	2,232,299	1,463,020	1,973,054	495,301	2,197,975	275,358
TOTAL 1998	20,751,515	20,116,627	19,379,852	16,530,610	472,733,706	35,511,398
Total 1997	20,035,360	18,553,174	18,626,403	14,438,132	456,517,465	33,462,842

NR Portions/Selections are for New Readers

Global Total 1998: 585,023,708

The full UBS Scripture Distribution Report 1998, with country-by-country figures, is available from the Communications Services Department, which also has photographs on request.

This information is issued by the United Bible Societies, World Service Center,
Reading Bridge House, Reading RG1 8PJ, England
+44 (0)118 9500 200 or fax to +44 (0)118 9500 857

Click for 1997 Distribution Report

Release Date: March 15, 1999