Living the Gospel in the Middle East
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Sharing god’S WORD WITH THE WORLD Winter 2010 Living the Gospel in the Middle East World’s Greatest Gift Catalog 13 America’s Earliest Bibles 18 Hope for Widows in India 22 ABSRecord.com PRESident’S MESSAGE The Greatest Gift “This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2.11 (CEV) Record ChaIrMan oF thE board specially with Christmas Dennis C. Dickerson Sharing god’S WORD WITH THE WORLD just around the corner, it’s EXECUTIVE STAFF Record WINTER 2010, VOLUME 154, NUMBER 3 good to be reminded of the E PrESIdEnt and CEo precious gift we have in the Word R. Lamar Vest of God. Honestly, it’s hard for me FEATURES Bible Exhibition ExECutIvE vICE PrESIdEntS to imagine not getting the chance Simon Barnes Living the Gospel in India to discover the amazing love of Robert L. Briggs 8 in the Middle East “Be ready at all times to answer anyone who Jesus waiting in God’s Word. Stephen King Joining Hands in the Holy Land asks you to explain the hope you have Sadly, this is the unseen reality RECORD STAFF in you.” 1 Peter 3.15b (GNT) for so many around the world 13 World’s Greatest Gift today. For each life unreached by the Bible, living with disease, ExECutIvE EdItor Catalog Postage stamps on display at the in harm’s way, neglected, without food or shelter — the Gail A. Martin Ministry Gifts to Share Bible Society of India’s museum wonder and glory of a God who deeply loves them remains ManaGInG EdItor visually convey the expedition the Bible hidden this Christmas. Liz Smith America’s Earliest Bibles has made around the world. “Bible 18 Exploring the Treasures of ABS But let me encourage you that God’s Word is alive and dESIGn Exhibition” reads the sign that invites active this holiday season. Whether it is in the global Rob Giorgio Hope for Widows in India 8 the curious off the street for a look inside expansion of Scripture across India (p. 22), the powerful ProduCtIon 22 Empowering Women and Girls to see them and much more. Upon renewal right in Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Lord (p. 8) or TJ Hock entering, visitors are greeted by larger than life faces from history – including thousands of people discovering Scripture in our nation’s first CONTACT US DEPARTMENTS capital (p. 5) — lives are being actively changed. Abraham Lincoln, Billy Graham, Mother aMErICan bIblE SoCIEty rECord I hope these stories encourage and inspire you, too. Teresa – and quotes about what the 212-408-8754 Behind every one of them is the life-changing message of the President’s Message Bible means or meant to them. [email protected] 2 The Greatest Gift The Rev. Sahu Surendra, curator Scriptures. www.AmericanBible.org Thank you for all you do to help bring the world’s greatest The William Carey Museum and senior manager, says, “The word donor SErvICES 3 ‘exhibition’ seems more intriguing to gift of God’s Word to so many this Christmas and into the 866-895-4448 in India young people than some old, dusty new year. [email protected] museum.” Day to day, an average of bIblES.CoM/SCrIPturE InquIrIES Bible Society Update 25 people come through, including (for catalog or Bible requests) 4 National and International News schoolchildren, students and adults 800-32-BIBLE [email protected] Bible Q&A from Christian, Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. Rev. Sahu is always on R. Lamar Vest BIBLE-A-MONTH CLUB 17 Your Bible Questions Answered 18 888-227-8262 hand for questions. [email protected] Please Pray Passersby often stop to ask about 24 China • Egypt • Gulf States the Bible and God, which Rev. Sahu PlannEd GIFt ProGraMS India • Pakistan • Sudan (for Stock or Real Estate Gifts, Gift Annuities, Charitable graciously answers no matter where it Trusts, Bequests, Wills and free Estate Planning Services) Quiet Time leads. Some young people are in difficult 800-820-6227 25 January • February • March situations as newly-marrieds, or starting [email protected] out in their careers, and they want to In Memoriam The mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a 26 talk to someone. Rev. Sahu feels it’s his language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. The Society is a member of the United Bible Societies, a partnership of the Bible Societies privilege, and God-given opportunity, throughout the world cooperating to make Scriptures available to people everywhere in their own language. to listen and share his life experience Published since 1818, the American Bible Society Record is the official periodical of the American Bible Society and the second-oldest continuously published publication in the United States. It is published and the hope of Jesus with each one. three times a year and is sent to as many of our supporters as budget allows. Postage is paid at New York, N.Y. and additional mailing offices. Other publications are encouraged to reprint the text of any Record The William Carey Museum (named for article, but prior written permission must be obtained from the American Bible Society Record to reproduce the “Father of Modern Missions”) is located any images. Publications reprinting the text of a Record article must include a credit line. Please send a copy of the issue to the Record at 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023. 22 at the Bible Society of India in Bangalore. COVER PHOTO BY MALORIE TULL 2 | Record WINTER 2010 abSrECord.CoM Record | 3 BIBLE SOCIETY NEWS Update FROM AROUND THE GLOBE NATIONAL Launching Orthodox Patriarch ABS and Bowery provided daily Scriptures through text with those in need. The Hope Award God’s Word Visits Bible House Mission Reach out to messaging. Center City Philadelphia was Grand Prize went to Forgiven Ministry saturated with volunteers handing out the of Taylorsville, N. C. Also recognized Christmas Angels for Justice Homeless Philadelphia Faith and Freedom Guide, a as Hope Awards finalists were Snappin’ Working alongside In partnership with the Bowery Nine-year-old Elijah misses his daddy booklet that included “76” biblical texts Ministries of Oconomowic, Wis., and the Christian relief Mission, the American Bible Society desperately. His mom took him to visit to read along a walking tour of the many CrossOver Ministry of Richmond, Va. and development is reaching out to more than 15,000 his dad in prison, but it overwhelmed historic sites in Philadelphia. The event took place in Arlington, organization, World homeless adults in New York City Elijah and he never went back. Some 100,000 copies of “The Story Texas, on October 16. Vision, ABS launched a with programs that will empower their The American Bible Society is joining of Never Giving Up,” a Bible reading The Poverty & Justice Bible lives with the Word of God. During forces with Angel Tree®, a program guide designed for young adults, were to help bring focus to the Thanksgiving, and in January, when of Prison Fellowship, at Christmas to distributed throughout the Philadelphia Scripture’s deeply-rooted record numbers of homeless people supply Scriptures to 40,000 children, The American Bible Society welcomed Catholic School System, city churches and message of compassion and care for are often feeling their lowest, ABS is like Elijah, and the little girl pictured His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of the community outreach service programs. the world’s poor. By highlighting over Orthodox Church to Bible House on October providing “God is Always With You” below, and their parents and caregivers. 30 with an exhibition at MOBIA. On display at the historic Westminster 2,000 key verses and providing an in- Scripture Portions, alongside a hot meal, This partnership reaches children of the Seminary in Glenside, Pa., was the first depth study tool, The Poverty and Justice “The Green Patriarch,” more officially to some 4,000 people. The Rev, Emilio incarcerated who live in remote places English Bible printed in America by Bible provides practical advice on how to known as His All Holiness Ecumenical A. Reyes, head of the outreach around the U.S. where churches may Robert Aitken*, in Philadelphia, 1782, Pictured left to right: Joey Pierce, ABS; Hope Patriarch Bartholomew, was welcomed Award Winners Scottie and Jack Barnes, ® challenge poverty and injustice both at department at ABS, said, “This is an or may not participate in Angel Tree . on loan from the American Bible Society. founders of Forgiven Ministry; Marvin Olasky, home and around the world. to Bible House in October. He is the awesome opportunity to impact the lives Each child receives a box with presents *See Treasures story on page 18. WORLD Magazine, and Simon Barnes, ABS As World Vision president, Richard spiritual leader of the Orthodox church of hurting people in our community and an American Bible Society Scripture (no relation to Scottie and Jack). Stearns, notes, “The Poverty and Justice and is also known for his concern for the by giving them the chance to exchange TEXAS resource. Forgiven Ministry, Inc. is a North Bible demonstrates that when it comes environment. For more than seven years, homelessness and spiritual brokenness for Hope Awards ABS has worked alongside the Orthodox Carolina ministry to inmates and their to today’s most pressing social issues, sound Christian living.” The American Bible Society and families that was founded by Scottie God got there first.” Learn more at Church to publish Bible literature for WORLD Magazine co-sponsored children and adults consistent with PENNSYLVANIA Barnes, herself the child of a prisoner.