The Bible contains the message of God’s grace to us in Jesus and can transform lives. Around the world, there are millions of Christians who are striving to live their faith without a Bible to strengthen them, and others who are searching for truth. Yet purchasing a Bible is an unattainable dream for those living remote, inaccessible locations or in poverty. Bible Society Australia supports Bible distribution projects which ensure that people in need are reached with the Bible in the best format to suit their situation.

The Bible is the authoritative word of God, containing the truth necessary for salvation and sanctification. It reveals God's character, his plan for redemption, and the hope found in Christ alone. Distributing the Bible enables people from all walks of life to encounter God's transforming power. Sharing Scripture is a response to the Great Commission by spreading God’s light in spiritually dark places.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

Your support helps the distribution of Bibles in:

Kenya – Bibles for the Young 
According to a 2022 UNESCO data, there are 8 million primary and 7.8 million secondary Kenyan students, all of whom can participate in Christian Religious Education at school. However, according to earlier research by a child outreach network, 98% of public primary schools do not have Bibles available in the classroom to assist in these lessons. Through this project, the Bible Society is committed to placing a Bible in the hands of young people, one student at a time.

South Africa – Hope for Prisoners 
Bible Society Australia is working with World Hope Ministries supplying Bibles free of charge to distribute to prisoners in South Africa who are graduates of the Bible Discipleship course. World Hope Ministries carry out programs contributing to the rehabilitative care of the prisoners, where lives are being changed as they receive the opportunity to understand the forgiveness and mercy of Christ.

Bible Society Australia recognises the importance of helping people access the Bible and engage with the message of God’s word through developing literacy skills. 14% of adults in the world – roughly 781 million people – cannot read or write. When individuals are equipped with literacy skills, they are able to improve their livelihoods and their communities, as well as Open The Bible to access the amazing truth of God’s word for life and salvation.

Literacy is a continuum of learning and proficiency in reading, writing and using numbers throughout life (UNESCO, 2024). Literacy enables people to engage directly with Scripture, fostering a personal relationship with God. Being able to read God's word equips believers for discernment, deeper discipleship, and evangelism. As God’s people, we are called to steward knowledge and seek biblical wisdom, including the ability to examine the Scriptures. Raising literacy levels ensures that individuals and communities can deepen in gospel truths, be equipped against false teaching, and be empowered as global citizens. Improved literacy also promotes flow-on effects such as reduced poverty and improved health outcomes.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.(2024). Literacy: what you need to know. https://www.unesco.org/en/literacy/need-know/

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:11-12 (NIVUK)

Your support helps the Bible Society transform lives through literacy and scripture

Mozambique – Literacy for Life 
Bible Society Australia is supporting Mission Educate in running a Bible-based literacy project designed to provide basic literacy, numeracy and life skills like nutrition, cooking and horticulture. This project is designed for non-literate adults and vulnerable youth, aiming to empower them to read basic signs, documents, and the Bible. Launched in Beira, it aspires to cover all ten Mozambican provinces, with current expansion in Sofala, Inhambane, and Nampula

Uganda – Holistic Literacy Skills 
This project aims at developing literacy skills among non-literate Kupsapiiny, Ma’di and Ng’akarajong speakers, empowering them with literacy skills so they can develop holistically and engage with the Bible. This project aims to teach thousands of children and adults in the Moyo and Ma’di sub regions with literacy skills to improve their lives, as well as to engage with God’s word easily.

South Sudan – Literacy for Shilluks 
This project works with churches in South Sudan in offering literacy classes to the Shilluk people — a community badly affected by the civil war and of whom 45% are Christians. This project aims to reach thousands of children and adults in Juba and Malakal. The goal of this project is to contribute to the community’s social progress, promote peace and wellbeing, help break cycles of poverty and empower lives to read and learn the word of God.  

Rwanda – Literacy Building Futures
Bible Society Australia is partnering with African Evangelistic Enterprise Rwanda in implementing this literacy project seeking to improve literacy among students and ensure a brighter future for all Rwandans. The project aims to help Rwanda keep up with global education standards, and strives for outcomes like improved Kinyarwanda literacy, enhanced pre-primary learning, strengthened education management, and coordinated literacy activities.

Around the world, Christian mission organisations are working in their communities to recommend, defend and champion the truth and goodness of the Bible, yet they need help to support their ministry. Bible Society Australia is working through partner organisations to help under-resourced churches meet the needs for Bible engagement among the people in their care and be a light to the nations. Through this support, churches can Open The Bible and help all people engage with God’s word and be transformed by the message of God’s grace through Jesus.

The Bible emphasises the church’s calling to be a light to the nations and a witness of God's kingdom. As a parachurch organisation, Bible Society supports local churches to fulfil the Great Commission, proclaim the gospel to the lost, and serve as the hands and feet of Christ. We help under-resourced churches and partner organisations to respond to the biblical mandate to love our neighbours and share the hope found in Christ. Engaging communities with the gospel sows seeds, transforms lives and glorifies God, drawing people to himself.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 (CSB).

Your support helps the Bible Society empower churches and heal communities in Africa.

Rwanda – Jesus. All About Life
In partnership with Bible Society, African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE) Rwanda is planning to empower local churches in running the Jesus. All About Life campaign during the Easter season. This project aims to mobilise churches to reach out to their communities with the Easter message and is intended to serve as a healing tool for Rwandans who continue to suffer from the traumatic effects of the genocide in 1994. 

Malawi – Jesus. All About Life
Bible Society Australia is supporting African Enterprise Malawi in their Jesus. All About Life campaign, enhancing the church’s ability to share the word of God with their communities. While Malawi is considered a Christian nation, many Christians are nominal and there’s a significant need for robust biblical teaching to deepen people’s faith and equip them for effective ministry.

Kenya – Arise - Healing Teens' Wounds of Trauma
Bible Society Australia is supporting the Bible Society of Kenya (BSK) in launching a teen Trauma Healing program where teachers and peer counsellors are trained to support adolescents who face trauma-related issues. This project will conduct healing sessions in schools and churches and establish a system for counselling referrals for teens in need. Each group of teens will receive Bibles to equip them with Scripture references in the sessions.