Bible Society Australia’s year in review: translating, distributing, engaging and advocating for the Bible.
With your help, here’s what we’ve achieved.
It’s an honour to introduce you to Bible Society’s 2018-2019 Annual Review. Our international work continues to grow apace and great progress is being made in Bible translation. Read about this important work in Indochina, the South Pacific and here in Australia, below.
We are about to enter our third year of a wonderful Bible Engagement project that was launched in January 2018. This year, 2000 Australian families received a free Toddler Bible after registering their newborn in the Bibles for Bubs program. We will continue to engage with these families for years to come as we encourage a new generation of Australians to look to the Bible as foundational to family life and living.
Again, here at home, we have worked hard to advocate for the Bible in the public square through our news service, Eternity, and Centre for Public Christianity. We were particularly proud of the reach and potential impact of the documentary, For The Love Of God.
The need for the Bible Society in Australia and the world is greater now than ever with 7106 languages spoken but only 697 with full Bibles. Your support through prayer, volunteering and giving remains as important and needed as ever and we could not do this without you.
Kind Regards,
Grant Thomson
CEO
TRANSLATION
Translating the Bible into heart languages
AUSTRALIA
Kunwinku Shorter Bible
COMPLETE!
Find out more
Pitjantjatjara Audio NT
COMPLETE!
Find out more
Auslan Bible
COMPLETE!
Find out more
INDOCHINA (VIETNAM)
Bible for 2 minority ethnic groups
almost complete
2 other groups
significant progress
SOUTH PACIFIC
Maumi NT completed after 11 years
COMPLETE!
DISTRIBUTION
Giving the Bible to those without
In Australia, Bibles, New Testaments, Gospels and tracts were distributed including:
- 29,349 through Chaplains and para church ministries
- 9,172 through Bibles in schools
- 8,443 through the Australian Defence Forces
- 16,405 through Indigenous Ministries
Koorong sales help us to fund Bibles for those who can’t afford to pay!
"The Bible is our light along the path (Psalm 119:105). With God, we will not lose our direction and it gives me strength to run on the road to heaven. I receive this free Bible to spread the gospel and give to the poor." - Lian Gengrong, age 54
"I am Han Mingzhong, a retired teacher. I started to accompany my wife to the church this year. I feel that this belief really make sense. Thank you for giving me a Bible. I will learn the content well and give to my wife to read. Thank you, Lord." - Han Mingzhong (Lizhuang Church, Yongxu County)
Our brave Bible Society teams, who have chosen to remain and minister in the Middle East, have one simple principle: Jesus is the healer, and God’s word restores broken lives. In Iraq we provide for physical needs with food, medicines and supplies, as well as spiritual needs by providing Bibles and Scriptures. In Syria there are many trauma healing classes up and running but more are needed as instability in the region continues.
Nicaragua
Maritza (mother of an 8-year-old cancer patient) shares: "My life has changed with the Bible, because the Bible is an instrument of God in my life, it helps me to have peace. "
ENGAGEMENT
Using the Bible to help change lives
“We have seen a resurgence in the faith of the students that attended. Some have returned and recommitted to following Jesus. Masterclass was incredibly fruitful for us. Thank you.” Teacher attending Masterclass, Sydney.
“It was very informative and inspirational. The speakers did an amazing job. I feel more equipped to go into my school and show Jesus.” Masterclass student attendee, Queensland.
“I loved being challenged in my faith by every message.” Masterclass student attendee, Newcastle.
Publishing
- Christ-Centred Mindfulness: Connection to Self and God by Katherine Thompson is a bestseller and was awarded the Dallas Willard Centre’s Book and Research Award for 2019.
- Martin Luther by Mark Worthing received a short-listing in the Australian Christian Book of the Year Awards
- Iscariot by Mark Worthing was shortlisted for Omega Christian Writers 2019 Caleb Award.
“My name is Shamim Barkat ... I am 55 years old. It was pleasure for me to join the classes... I am really thankful to the Lord that in my old age I can read Bible for myself.” Pakistan.
"Before attending this class I could not read any book... I desired to read and write but I did not have any opportunity to do so. I was so curious to know about Jesus Christ and my desire has been fulfilled after attending this literacy class. I personally came to know Jesus from stories which are given in the literacy books and CDs.’’ Mrs. Mina Rani Roy, aged 45, Bangladesh.
“When we first came here, [our children] didn’t know how to read or write. But now after going to school, they know how to read and write. Thank God they’re in a much better state than when we first arrived.” The proud mother continued, “I hope they excel at school and that they would know how to read and write when we go back to Syria.”
ADVOCACY
Advocating for the truth, beauty and goodness of the Bible
FINANCIALS
DONATIONS BY STATE
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