Program areas at ABS
In 2024, American Bible Society continued its 208th year of bible-based ministry as we faithfully moved ahead with our vision to see millions of people living in the united states actively engaged in god's word. We will reach this goal by working closely with churches and other bible-based ministries in cities across the u.s. , featuring our wide variety of scripture resources in print and digital formats, as well as our bible-based trauma healing ministry to ease all wounded hearts with the healing power of god's word. American Bible Society helps people experience god through the Bible. We provide access to the Bible to unreached and underserved people around the world, help people engage in the Bible including those in crisis who find restoration through scripture, and advocate for the Bible's message of hope here in america. Through the church and a global network of Bible societies, we carry god's word where it is needed most. Our research and experience tell us the Bible makes us more generous, more compassionate, more loving toward our neighbors, and more hopeful about our future in christ. That's why our mission since 1816 has been to help all people experience the life-changing message of god's word. God's word for the unreached we provide access to the Bible in every language, for every person. We are leaders and innovators in the Bible translation movement, focusing on creating and applying emerging technologies to accelerate translation efforts reaching 80 language groups through 77 Bible translation projects. Because we believe the Bible is for all people, our translation ministry includes audio and video bibles, sign language bibles, braille bibles, and Bible resources that contextualize the gospel message for diverse cultures and traditions around the world. Our innovative translation framework allows us to accurately and efficiently translate first bibles, study bibles, and modern language bibles for the next generation. We also distribute the Bible with the aim of placing god's word into the hands and hearts of all people searching for truth. Since our founding, we have distributed more than 6.9 billion pieces of scripture worldwide. Often, our Bible distribution ministry leads us to the frontlines of conflict, war, terrorism, natural disasters, and other humanitarian crises. We joyfully partner with local Bible societies ministering in more than 240 countries and territories around the world to ensure efficient distribution through the local community. Our Bible Society partners are experts on their nations' church cultures and help us respond to the real-time scripture needs of local believers. In the past year, we provided over 3.7 million print and digital bibles to waiting people around the world. In addition, abs intellectual property such as Bible versions and content were licensed in print and digital formats to over 20.8 million recipients globally. God's word for people in crisis the Bible restores broken hearts. Our bible-based restoring hope ministry helps people in crisis find peace through the power of scripture. First developed in the democratic republic of the congo to help people rebuild in the aftermath of war and genocide, this ministry combines mental health best practices with the power of god's word. By engaging with the Bible's healing words in safe, small group settings, people are guided to give their pain to jesus and begin the journey to joy and restoration. Our trauma healing resources address the many forms of trauma experienced by the world's people. These resources equip churches and agencies in serving populations suffering from conflict and war, survivors of disaster, people struggling with the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, children and teens experiencing trauma, and members of the military community. Formats include small groups, online video courses, and print and digital documents. In addition, we share free basic trauma healing resources to increase awareness in the church and equip believers to care for people in crisis. Since 2012, this ministry has built a global community of trained facilitators who come alongside local communities of faith to serve people in crisis through bible-based trauma healing. Just under 15,000 people completed a healing group in 2024. God's word for america here in the united states, we advocate for the Bible as the living word of god and our surest source of truth. We engage americans with the Bible by providing resources and experiences that help people encounter and live out the truths of scripture. Our daily devotionals, prayer guides, Bible stories, and teachings are uniquely contextualized to serve a diverse audience of believers and seekers. Our armed services ministry serves our nation's brave heroes by distributing the word of god to u.s. military members, veterans, and their families. To date, we have shared more than 60 million bibles and scripture resources within the military community. Through a growing network chaplains and church partners on the frontlines of military ministry, we provide military-specific Bible resources that equip military families in their service to our nation. In the past year, this ministry reached over 400,000 people in the military community. Since 2011, our state of the Bible research has provided insights into how americans view and use the Bible and what difference it makes in their lives. This research indicates people who engage with scripture more deeply experience less stress, more hope, higher levels of human flourishing, and lower levels of loneliness than those who interact with the Bible less frequently and give it a less central place in their lives. 18 percent of americans were scripture engaged in 2024, and we pray this proportion will increase in the coming years. In february 2024, the board of directors of the American Bible Society made the strategic decision to close the public-facing operations of the faith and liberty discovery center ("fldc") on april 1, 2024. Further discussion of the closure of the fldc and continuing activities to ensure the furtherance of its mission can be found within the current 990 of that entity.