By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
CRETE, IL (ANS) -- Two like-minded Bible ministries with complementary missions have announced plans to merge, forming a vital partnership that will enhance the work of both organizations.
Bible League International® (BLI) and the World Bible Translation Center (WBTC), have a common mission of sharing the Word of God around the world so it can be understood and lives can be changed.
The boards of both ministries approved the merger unanimously, with the agreement to become final in September.
Each ministry brings unique strengths to the relationship; Bible League in Bible distribution and WBTC in Bible translation. The impact of combining these strengths and building together will be global in its reach.
The new united organization will focus on expanding a literacy program around the world, as well as using new digital delivery technology recently developed in a strategic alliance with 12 other ministries.
"One of the directions we see God moving in the 21st Century is ministries are looking at ways to collaborate with other organizations to grow their common mission," BLI CEO Robert T. Frank said.
"One of the directions we see God moving in the 21st Century is ministries are looking at ways to collaborate with other organizations to grow their common mission," BLI CEO Robert T. Frank said.
"This merger will strengthen operations for both of our ministries, increasing the tools available to reach the three global audiences we share: the poorest of the poor, the persecuted church and those walking in darkness."
According to a media release from A. Larry Ross Communications, Bible League contributes strengths in the areas of administration and relationships internationally with networks in the field, but seeks better access to Bible translations. WBTC has that core competency, focusing on easy-to-read Bible translations, along with printing and distribution of new Bible translations. By sharing these strengths, each ministry enables the other to better fulfill its mission.
"The focus is equipping believers to help people understand who Jesus is and how He can change their lives," said WBTC President Eric Fellman.
According to a media release from A. Larry Ross Communications, Bible League contributes strengths in the areas of administration and relationships internationally with networks in the field, but seeks better access to Bible translations. WBTC has that core competency, focusing on easy-to-read Bible translations, along with printing and distribution of new Bible translations. By sharing these strengths, each ministry enables the other to better fulfill its mission.
"The focus is equipping believers to help people understand who Jesus is and how He can change their lives," said WBTC President Eric Fellman.
"We will do this through Bible translation, training and publishing of Scripture materials so that people prepared by the Holy Spirit will be brought into God's community through Jesus Christ."
The media release stated that Bible League headquarters will remain in Crete, Illinois, near Chicago. Translation, global procurement and new product development will be managed from WBTC offices in Fort Worth, Texas. The staff and operations will be combined under the Bible League structure, with WBTC retaining its identity in translation and publishing as a ministry of BLI.
Key staff will direct departments in both Fort Worth, Texas, and Crete, Illinois. Frank will serve as Global CEO and Fellman will become President of the combined U.S. operations.
The media release stated that Bible League headquarters will remain in Crete, Illinois, near Chicago. Translation, global procurement and new product development will be managed from WBTC offices in Fort Worth, Texas. The staff and operations will be combined under the Bible League structure, with WBTC retaining its identity in translation and publishing as a ministry of BLI.
Key staff will direct departments in both Fort Worth, Texas, and Crete, Illinois. Frank will serve as Global CEO and Fellman will become President of the combined U.S. operations.
"These are exciting days to be involved in the ministry of reaching people around the world with the Word of God," Frank said.
"There are amazing new opportunities on the horizon, and our partnership with WBTC allows us both to take advantage of these more quickly, to see more hearts transformed by the power of the Gospel."
"God has been leading us into this relationship for many months," Fellman added. "We believe His hand is in it, and we look forward to seeing what He will accomplish through our combined efforts."
Bible League is a non-profit evangelical Christian ministry, dedicated to serving those involved in evangelism, discipleship and training of Bible study leaders and church planters using the Word of God.
"God has been leading us into this relationship for many months," Fellman added. "We believe His hand is in it, and we look forward to seeing what He will accomplish through our combined efforts."
Bible League is a non-profit evangelical Christian ministry, dedicated to serving those involved in evangelism, discipleship and training of Bible study leaders and church planters using the Word of God.
Since its founding in 1938, Bible League has placed millions of Bibles in the hands of people in more than 80 countries. Its goals are that every person who wants a Bible can have one, every neighborhood has a vibrant Bible study group and every community has a thriving church grounded in God's Word. For more information, visit www.BibleLeague.org .
WBTC is a non-profit, Bible translation organization founded in 1973 and based in Fort Worth, Texas. A handful of people began the Center's work with the desire to see God's Word accurately translated in a simple and clear way into the world's majority languages.
WBTC is a non-profit, Bible translation organization founded in 1973 and based in Fort Worth, Texas. A handful of people began the Center's work with the desire to see God's Word accurately translated in a simple and clear way into the world's majority languages.
The Center has printed and distributed more than 21 million Bibles and New Testaments; it has also provided tens of millions of Scripture portions and internet downloads. For more information, please visit www.wbtc.org.
| ** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of the National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Ne wswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter |
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