International Bible Distribution

To Make Christ Known to the Nations

Crossway is committed to providing the Word of God to believers across the globe. By partnering with us in funding international Bible distribution, you can equip brothers and sisters around the world who are unable to afford a Bible on their own. Would you consider joining us in equipping Christians with God’s Word? Every $4 provides a Bible to a fellow believer in need.

The Continued Need for Bibles

When you enter into most Christian homes in the United States, you will likely find not just one, but several Bibles of various editions and versions throughout the house. We hold that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the final authority on matters of faith and practice, which is why it is essential that all Christians have access to it. As Psalm 119:130 says, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

Sadly, despite a consistent, and at times desperate, desire to read God’s Word, there are millions of Christians around the world who do not have their own copies. In the Global South, 70% of evangelical Christians lack access to a Bible—physical or digital.1 The need is undeniably pressing, and thus Crossway has committed to ongoing ministry projects centered around international Bible distribution. In 2022, we launched the One Million Bibles Initiative as a major effort to provide God’s Word to one million believers in the Global South. Through the Lord’s provision and the support of our partners, we surpassed our goal in 2024 and over one million copies have already been distributed, or are in process, in over 80 countries.

As much as we celebrate the completion of this milestone in the One Million Bibles Initiative, there are still a multitude of believers around the world who do not have access to a Bible. Pastor Trevor KwaZulu-Natal, whose ministry is located in rural South Africa, explained that “the further you get away from the infrastructure, the greater the need. . . . I can honestly say that in most of the situations where we have planted churches—and there are hundreds of these churches that have been planted—there are not many folks who would be able to put the cost of purchasing a Bible before feeding their family.” The need for Bibles is more urgent than ever, and through supporting international Bible distribution, you can partner with us in continuing to provide God’s Word to Christians in desperate need.

The Impact of Having Your Own Bible

Through the power of the Spirit, Bibles can transform the lives of not just individuals, but entire churches. Ministry partner Samuel Bushimbe received ESV Bibles that he distributed to his congregation in Zambia. He gave testimony to the power of God’s Word in his church community:

These people now have the opportunity to learn the art of reading the Word of God by themselves. And during the Bible study on Wednesday, they now can come with their Bibles and ask questions about what they’re reading. That helps me when I give them a passage to read; they’re able to read it themselves. And I’ve seen most of those people who have Bibles, they have that urge to study the Bible, and we’re starting to see the spiritual growth in them.

The power of the Spirit is working through his Word to strengthen brothers and sisters in Christ and build up God’s people. This is why Crossway is dedicated to Bible distribution—to see lives transformed for the glory of God.

Support Bible Distribution to Build Up the Global Church

Bibles are essential for each and every Christian as they grow in their knowledge of who God is; likewise, Bibles are also crucial for the church. Authors Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite explain in their book Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls, “These three anchors—Scripture, Trinitarian theology, and church history—stabilize the church’s moorings in an ever-shifting world.” Scripture is one of the key pillars of the church, establishing and fortifying it against false teachings in a world that feeds us lies. Through international Bible distribution, you can help support churches and their members who cannot obtain the Word of God—the light of truth in the midst of our dark world.

Through partnering with Crossway, you can help provide God’s Word to the nations. 100% of your donation will fund the printing and distribution of ESV Bibles to brothers and sisters in need of God’s Word across the Global South. Every $4 provides a Bible to a church leader or lay believer. Would you prayerfully consider joining with us to equip and strengthen the global body of Christ?

Notes:

  1. Johnson, Todd M., and Gina A. Zurlo. 2020. World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd ed. (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press), 4.
  2. Ford, Coleman M. and Shawn J. Wilhite, Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls (Crossway, 2024), 4.

Updates

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of Bibles are being distributed as part of this campaign?

All of the Bibles currently being distributed are ESV English-language Bibles, some with the Bible text only and others with study notes or additional content.

Are there other ways I can give to this initiative (e.g., wire transfer, cash, stocks, etc.?)

Crossway provides a number of ways for supporters to give to this initiative. You may donate gifts of stock, gifts designated from donor advised funds, and estate gifts, among others. If you have questions regarding Crossway’s ability to receive your donation, visit this page to learn more or contact us at donate@crossway.org.

How much of my donation will go toward Bible distribution?

100% of your gift will be used for the specific purpose of funding the distribution of 1 million Bibles, with Crossway covering all administrative costs.

Your gift of $40 could provide 10 Bibles to a rural church in the Global South where members are sharing copies. $100 could equip 25 pastors with study Bibles so they can faithfully understand and preach God’s Word. $1,000 or more could provide Bibles to an entire church network and help make it possible for a community to sustain its own Bible distribution in future years.

How is the cost of a Bible being determined?

While we initially anticipated that each Bible would cost approximately $5, including the costs of printing and delivery to each location,we have since been able to reduce those costs. We constantly monitor production and shipping realities, knowing that the costs may change based on any variety of factors.

The progress bar shown at the top of the One Million Bibles home page reflects the cost of $4 per Bible.We pray that the costs will remain lower than expected, so that more Bibles may be distributed for the same cost!

How does Crossway choose the recipients of these Bibles?

Crossway has a large number of close ministry partnerships around the world, and will deliver many of these Bibles into the hands of recipients through these trusted networks. We will focus on the areas of the Global South which we and our ministry partners have identified as having the greatest immediate need.

How does Crossway choose the recipients of these Bibles?

Crossway has a large number of close ministry partnerships around the world, and will deliver many of these Bibles into the hands of recipients through these trusted networks. We will focus on the areas of the Global South which we and our ministry partners have identified as having the greatest immediate need.

What countries or parts of the world will receive Bibles through this initiative?

We anticipate distribution in dozens of English-speaking countries and territories, particularly in Africa and Asia.

When will distribution of the Bibles begin, and when will distribution be completed?

The first distributions funded by this initiative began in the summer of 2023. Bibles will be distributed on an ongoing basis as funds are received during the course of the campaign. Our goal is for the distribution of all Bibles to be completed by the end of 2026.

Will all Bibles be given away, or will any be sold?

The vast majority of these Bibles will be given away for free. However, in some communities, the most strategic way to meet the need for God’s Word is through assistance in building sustainable Bible distribution markets. Christians in these communities can afford to pay something for a Bible, and ministry partners on the ground are investing in the network infrastructure needed to sell and distribute Bibles at low, locally-appropriate prices for years to come.

In these communities, Crossway will provide Bibles at our manufacturing cost (no margin) and will use a portion of donated funds to underwrite shipping costs. This will enable our ministry partners in these regions to resell Bibles at affordable prices to those who desperately need a Bible, and to invest their proceeds toward distributing more Bibles.

Will Crossway profit from the sale of Bibles subsidized by this initiative?

Crossway will not profit from the sale of any Bibles subsidized by this initiative. We will sell Bibles at our manufacturing cost to ensure our partners can resell these Bibles at the most affordable prices possible.

Why physical Bibles? Can’t people access Scripture on their phones or online?

We recognize the value of both digital and print Bibles and work to distribute both wherever possible. Crossway freely offers the ESV text on our website and app, so that anyone around the world with sufficient access can read the ESV Bible on their personal device. However, the reality is that internet connectivity and smartphone usage are not reliable, widespread, or affordable in much of the developing world and among the people we are trying to reach through this initiative. While it’s true that smartphone and internet access have increased in developing countries in the last ten years, there is still a large gap between access and actual usage. In 2021, 78% of the total population in sub-Saharan Africa and 66% of the population in South Asia were not able to functionally access mobile internet.

A physical Bible, however, bridges this “digital divide” by granting its recipient immediate access to Scripture—no internet, data, or smartphone required. With these current global realities, we have made it our mission as part of this initiative to provide direct access to Scripture in physical form to those who haven’t had it before.
Sources:
Anne Delaporte, “New insights on mobile internet connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa”, GSMA, Accessed November 2, 2023, https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/blog/new-insights-on-mobile-internet-connectivity-in-sub-saharan-africa/
Nadia Jeffrie, “The state of mobile internet connectivity in South Asia: the coverage gap is narrowing but the usage gap remains the largest in the world”, GSMA, accessed November 2, 2023, https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/blog/the-state-of-mobile-internet-connectivity-in-south-asia/

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