Bible Distribution Project
The Bible Distribution is a
mission to give interested individuals a Bible in any desired language. The
focus of this ministry is at the IPFW campus in Ft. Wayne. A number of members
of the Apostolic Christian Church Youth Group attend IPFW, which provides the
needed assistance for this growing ministry.
The encouragement to continue this outreach comes from one of
Jesus’ last commandments before His ascension, telling his disciples to “Go ye
into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark
16:15). It is our sincere hope and prayer that individuals seeking the
truth will see the “free-Bible” flyers and be convicted to request one, thus
finding the truth through the holy word of God.
Requests are made over the Internet. The interested person then selects their college.
This takes them to a request form where they specify their desired language, and
how they can be contacted. They are then immediately contacted and a meeting
date and time is set. One or two members of the Youth Group then meet with the
person and deliver the Bible.
The Bible deliverers always try to establish good relations
with the person in order to show them the love of Christ. The deliverers also
ask the reason for the request. The reason for many of the requests is because
they need it for class or as a reference. Although this appears like our work
was done in vain, we are satisfied in knowing that the word of God is now in
someone’s home where it was not before. Those individuals who request the Bible
because they are searching are then invited to be involved in a small Bible
study. Through the Bible studies we trust in God to provide the words to bring
another lost soul to Christ and eternity in heaven. Those who are not
interested in a Bible study right away are later contacted. About a month after
the Bible is delivered a “check-up” call is made to see if there are any
questions or concerns involving the teachings in the Bible. At this time a
second offer is made to form a Bible study. Through the entire process multiple
prayers are made on the person’s behalf.
The IPFW Bible Distribution is actually a branch off the
pre-established Purdue Bible Distribution. The IPFW branch began in January of
2002, at which time a number of flyers, advertising free Bibles, were placed
throughout the campus. Many of the flyers do not last two weeks, creating the
need for constant postings of the flyers. A Bible stockpile is kept near campus
including versions in: Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Haitian, Spanish, and many
more. When a request for a Bible that is not in the stockpile is made, an order
is immediately sent to a Bible distributor and the Bible is usually received
within a week.
While much time and effort go into the IPFW Bible
Distribution, the backbone of the outreach is done through prayer. For we know,
as Paul said, that all we can do is plant or water, but God giveth the increase
(I
Corinthians 3:6-7).
To volunteer or to get more information, please email the project coordinators at tbd_ipfw@yahoo.com.