100,000 ESV Global Study Bibles to Leaders Around the World

A Letter from Crossway's President

Dear Friend of Crossway,

Almost exactly one year ago today, I wrote saying . . .

“Our greatest passion at Crossway, as a not-for-profit ministry, is to reach the people of the world with the Gospel and the life-transforming Truth of God’s Word.” The reason for this is that “Apart from the Gospel—graciously revealed by God in the pages of the Bible—people everywhere are utterly lost and without hope.”

With this passion burning in our hearts, one year ago Crossway reached out to friends and supporters all around the world, to ask if you would help meet a tremendous need. Specifically, if you would help underwrite the cost to provide 250,000 ESV Global Study Bibles—free—to equip strategic Christian leaders, wherever the need is greatest, in Africa, India, and Asia.

What Happened?

Two extraordinary things happened . . .

First, the Lord’s provision was amazing. Literally thousands of people from more than 30 countries around the world gave a combined total of more than $1 million—providing the means to underwrite the entire cost of the Global Study Bible project, including free digital distribution online and via mobile devices worldwide.
Second, it is with great joy that I am pleased to report today that 250,000 Global Study Bibles have been printed and are shipping to ministry partners in more than 60 countries—with free, face-to-face distribution fully under way, to strategic Gospel leaders, throughout India, Africa, and Asia.

Overwhelming Response

The response has been overwhelming. For example, our 7-member Crossway team has just returned from India—working with the Hindustan Bible Institute and several other Indian ministries—helping to distribute thousands of Global Study Bibles (80,000 total in India) in numerous villages and several major cities (Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore) throughout India. It was deeply moving to see, firsthand, face-to-face, the enormous need and the overwhelming gratitude as dear Christian brothers and sisters received their copies. For example . . .

A 19-year-old Bible college student, studying to be a pastor and church planter in his village, had long wanted a study Bible but lacked the money to purchase one. After fasting and praying for three days that God would provide a Bible, he received word that he would be getting his own, free copy of the ESV Global Study Bible through one of Crossway’s on-the-ground, partner ministries. As a member of our team spoke with him, his excitement was uncontainable: “How great our God is—he provided this Global Study Bible!”
An 18-year-old young man, preparing to go to Bible college, is using his copy of the Global Study Bible to disciple his 16-year-old sister and start small groups on his campus. Many have come to know Christ.
One pastor traveled over 16 hours by train to receive his copy of the Global Study Bible and training on how he could effectively use it in his Gospel work.

Beyond Anything We Can Begin to Measure . . .

The eternal impact is clearly beyond anything we can begin to measure. The Gospel is being proclaimed, small groups are being formed, churches are being planted, peace and joy and hope and the Gospel are being embraced—multiplied two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand times over—by people who would otherwise be utterly lost.

As word has spread about the project, it has become clear that there still remains a significant need and hunger for Global Study Bibles in many parts of the world. So many Christian leaders on the front lines of global ministry are under-resourced, lacking even Bibles and the most basic Christian resources.

This Great Hunger and Need . . .

Why am I posting this today? Mainly for two reasons… First, for us to rejoice together and give thanks to the Lord for what He has accomplished through His gracious provision.

Second, to ask you (if the Lord should lead you) to consider making a gift of support to help provide an additional 100,000 free Global Study Bibles—to help meet this great hunger and need for God’s Word, and thereby to help equip 100,000 strategic Christian leaders around the world, in places where the need is greatest.

To accomplish this distribution, we are seeking to raise $400,000 by December 31, 2015. Our prayer is that through the Lord’s gracious provision—working with on-the-ground frontline ministry partners—we can with great efficiency send an additional 100,000 free copies of the ESV Global Study Bible to Christian leaders hungry for God’s Word.

Grateful for Your Help . . .

I am indeed grateful to you for your help—as the Lord leads in His own way—to distribute an additional 100,000 Global Study Bibles “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47)—for the sake of the Gospel and our Savior’s glory alone.

With my great appreciation for your prayers and support,

In Christ Our Savior,

Lane T. Dennis, PhD
President