Christian Song Funds Bible Translations

SWINDON, England, Nov.23, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ — The Christian song “Your Word” that reaffirms the truth and hope found in the Bible will be released in the top 10 languages of Bible readers from November 20, 2015 and the following week onwards. Written and produced by a multi-award winning production team led by Billy Dorsey, the worship song will be commercially released to iTunes and other digital music retailers around the world. The English version of the song will feature Billy Dorsey, together with Lakewood Church Senior Worship Leader and international recording artist Cindy Cruse Ratcliff. Other language versions will feature vocals by award-winning Christian music veterans from around the world including:

·  Pastor Marcos Witt, 27 million album selling, five-time Latin Grammy Award winner (Spanish)

·  Sefora Nelson, four-time German Billboard #1 album charting (German)

·  André Valadão, 15 million album selling member of Diante do Trono (Brazil)

·  Thierry Ostrini (France)

·  Lidia Genta (Italy)

·  Darina Kochanzhi (Ukraine)

·  Israel Roytman (Israel)

·  Stream of Praise (China)

The project was born in partnership with United Bible Societies, which believes the Bible is for everyone and is working towards the day when everyone can access the Bible in the language and medium of their choice. Net proceeds from each song will go to the Bible Societies in the countries of the featured musicians to support Bible work in their local languages. In a small way each person purchasing the song, and each radio station playing it, will support new Bible translations and provide Bibles to those who still do not have their own personal copy of the Scriptures.

To read and interview about the project: www.unitedbiblesocieties.org/gospel-artist-supports-bible-translation-with-new-single

Billy Dorsey:

Billy Dorsey, who became widely known and awarded for his work on LeCrae’s Rehab: The Overdose album, was delivered from homelessness 14 years ago to working on albums that have won a Grammy, two Dove awards, two Stellar Awards, and a host of other awards, producing records for Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Tenth Avenue North, Needtobreathe, Da’Dra Crawford Greathouse and Cindy Cruse Ratcliff of Lakewood Church, and many others. Dorsey is also a 2015 Spirit of Excellence Award winner. Read more: www.billydorsey.com

United Bible Societies:

United Bible Societies is a global network of Bible Societies working in over 200 countries and territories across the world. Together, they are the world’s biggest translator, publisher and distributor of the Bible. Bible Societies are also active in areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention, trauma healing and literacy. Bible Societies work with all Christian Churches and many international non-governmental organisations. Last year saw the highest number of printed Bibles ever distributed by Bible Societies around the world. Nearly 34 million full Bibles were distributed, a rise of 6% over figures from a year earlier, and 14% higher than the number distributed in the first year of the decade. Read more: www.unitedbiblesocieties.org

Record Number of Bibles Distributed by Bible Societies in 2014

SWINDON, England, Oct. 20, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ — 2014 saw the highest number of printed Bibles ever distributed by Bible Societies around the world. Nearly 34 million full Bibles were distributed, a rise of 6% over 2013’s figures, and 14% higher than the number distributed in the first year of the decade.

The figures are taken from the United Bible Societies’ Scripture Distribution Report, produced annually, which compiles Scripture distribution figures reported by Bible Societies.

In total, 428.2 million Scriptures were distributed by Bible Societies in 2014, including full Bibles, Testaments, Gospels and other smaller Scripture items – representing a 7% and a 17% increase over 2013 and 2010 respectively.

The region reporting the highest distribution in 2014, consistent with previous years, is the Americas, with 341.5 million Scriptures, including 14.4 million full Bibles. This region has seen significant year-on-year increases in Scripture distribution in the first five years of the decade, its 2014 figure nearly 20% higher than 2010’s.

Far more Scriptures were distributed in Brazil than in any other country in the world. Its 7.6 million full Bibles account for more than half of the total Bible distribution in the Americas, and more than a fifth of last year’s global Bible distribution. In total, the Bible Society of Brazil distributed 288.7 million Scriptures – more than two thirds of the global total.

Although Brazil’s distribution figures have always been high, largely due to the Bible Society’s comprehensive program of social outreach and its good relationship with all churches, last year’s figures were partly boosted by the many thousands of Scriptures handed out during the FIFA World Cup.

“Brazilians are football mad, and the World Cup was a wonderful opportunity to share God’s Word with the many football fans who were celebrating the tournament,” comments Bible Society Executive Director Dr Rudi Zimmer.

Cuba’s figures tell a story of rapid church growth, which is fuelling an enormous demand for Scriptures. Last year, 1.5 million Scriptures were distributed there – more than double the total distributed in 2010. And four times the number of full Bibles were distributed there last year compared with 2013, thanks to the United Bible Societies’ Cuba Million Bible Mission project, which aims to provide one million full Bibles to Christians in Cuba.

Africa’s overall Scripture distribution figures fluctuate from year to year, but it has seen a steady increase in the distribution of full Bibles since the start of the decade. The 7.3 million Bibles distributed there in 2014 represent a 31% rise over the number distributed in 2010.

Nigeria and South Africa continue to be the Scripture distribution giants of Africa, at around 4.5 million and 1.5 million copies respectively, but some notable increases are taking place in smaller countries. The troubled Central African Republic, for instance, has seen its annual Scripture distribution triple from just under 9,000 in 2010 to nearly 29,000 in 2014, most of which were full Bibles.

In Europe and the Middle East, the 7.9 million Scriptures distributed last year represent an increase of almost 12% over 2010. The number of Testaments being distributed has been rising particularly fast. (The vast majority of the Testaments were New Testaments.) Last year, 2.8 million Testaments were distributed in the region – 23% higher than in 2013, and 126% higher than in 2010.

The rises happened in some surprising places. More than five times the number of Testaments were distributed in war-torn Syria in 2014 than in 2010, before the conflict began. And, in the midst of one of the most difficult years in Ukraine’s recent history, last year the Bible Society there distributed nearly 70,000 New Testaments – 48% more than in 2012 and 10 times more than in 2010.

Asia – the world’s most populous region – saw a 6% increase in Scripture distribution between 2013 and 2014. Some notable increases have taken place over the first five years of the decade in several Asian countries, including the two giants – India and China, which distributed 22% and 10% more in 2014 than in 2010. The Philippines – Asia’s largest Christian nation – distributed 42% more Scriptures in 2014 than in 2010, and Myanmar an impressive 45% more.

In addition to distributing a record number of printed Scriptures in 2014, Bible Societies also reported significant increases in the distribution of non-print Scripture items. (These include Scripture-based products on CDs, cassettes, DVDs, mp3s, texts and internet downloads, but do not include Bible Society Scripture texts accessed through apps such as YouVersion or BibleSearch.) More than two million Scriptures were distributed in that way in 2014, 8% more than in 2013 and three times the figure for 2010.

United Bible Societies is a fellowship of Bible Societies operating in more than 200 countries and territories. Together, they are the world’s biggest translator, publisher and distributor of the Bible. Bible Societies are also active in areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention, trauma healing and literacy. Bible Societies work with all Christian Churches and many international non-governmental organisations. For more information visit www.unitedbiblesocieties.org.

The Digital Bible Society Announces Digital Libraries on Micro SD Chips

CONROE, Texas, May 21, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ — Imagine numerous Bibles, commentaries, audio scriptures, books, and evangelical movies, including The Jesus Film, GodMan, Hope, and God’s Story on a chip no bigger than your fingernail, all for free distribution.

The Digital Bible Society has announced its newest additions to their digital libraries in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese on Micro SD chips and DVDs.

“Micro SD chips can be used on a number of devices including computers, tablets, cell phones, MP3 players, and hand held projectors and are ideal for giving needed resources to believers in closed access nations. Each digital library contains necessary tools a pastor will need for disciplining, leadership and evangelism,” explains Ken Allen, CEO and Founder of the Digital Bible Society.

In partnership with Bible translators, mission agencies, and Christian content creators, the Digital Bible Society has compiled Bibles and Christian resources into free-to-copy quality digital libraries. The intent of the Digital Bible Society is to partner with mission organizations, churches, and individuals in the distribution these libraries.

“To date we recognize that there are 53 language groups in the world that do not have access to their own Bible. It is our goal to complete digital libraries for all 53 language groups within the next ten years,” says Hannes Furter, Chief Content Officer.

If you want to know more about how you can contribute content, become a distribution partner, or financial partner, please contact the Digital Bible Society.

Digital Bible Society Mission

The mission of the Digital Bible Society is to produce and distribute Bibles and Biblical materials in digital format, especially for regions and cultures where the Gospel of Christ is not readily available.

We purpose to assist in the worldwide distribution of digital Christian media so that every believer in every nation will have free access to the Scriptures in their own language – whether through the printed page, the spoken word (audio), or visual presentation (video).

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