Since inception, Bible Society has through 150 branches operating around the world today, served over 4 billion people with Bible translations. COURTESY PHOTO.
Bible Society bookshops and ministries in 88 countries are at risk of closure as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and national lockdowns.
In a statement updated 21 July, 2020, The Bible Society revealed that almost 500 projects to translate, distribute and share the Bible with millions of people are under threat.
“The crisis, affecting more than a third of the Bible Society network, has been triggered by plummeting Bible sales and income in some nations. There’s no money to pay staff or keep the doors open. Even our most impactful and well-organised teams are under huge pressure,” the statement read.
Notably, a ‘Rescue and Recovery fund’ has been created to support at risk Bible Societies, said to be serving 245 million people.
Oldi Morava, Director of International Mission for the Bible Society, in England, told Christian Today, “In all of these countries, the Bible has an impact on people’s lives, and can change individuals lives and their communities in a radical way.”
“If these Bible Societies close, we will face a situation where the Bible will not be distributed in some countries and there will be a great risk of Christian communities not having access to the Bible,” he added.
“Bible Societies have been operating for more than 200 years. We’ve gone through two world wars and the 1918 flu pandemic. We’ve always been able to continue. It would be dreadful if some Bible Societies around the world had to close now because of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
Uganda Christian News understands that critical funding is being redirected to pay staff and rent.
Also, struggling Bible Societies are being helped with things like online Bible sales, to generate income. And in the long term, staff are being supported so they are ready to re-launch Bible ministry when restrictions lift.
In April 2020, the Bible Society of Uganda donated 100 Luganda, 100 Ateso, 100 Runyoro/Rutoro, 100 Runyankole/Rukiga, and 100 English Bibles to Christian health workers following the pandemic outbreak.
Other items donated were as follows:
- 200 Bible-based trauma healing booklets for those in quarantine centers
- 50 portions of Scripture on flash drive flashlights for those being dischared from the hospital
- 20 Lightstream gadgets, which can serve over 500 people at a time in hospitals and quarantine centers
- 50 audio Bibles to be used in hospitals
