HISTORY:
Biblica was founded December 4, 1809, in New York City as the New York Bible Society (NYBS) by a small group of committed believers including such notables as Henry Rutgers, William Colgate and Theodorus Van Wyke.
Biblica experienced its first merger in 1819 when it merged with the New York Auxiliary Bible Society. Since then it has undergone the following changes:
- NYBS formed Young Men’s NYBS (YMNYBS) in 1823.
- NYBS broke up into Ward Associations in 1827.
- Ward Associations reformed into New York City Bible Society (NYCBS) in 1828.
- NYCBS merged back into the Young Men’s NYBS in 1832.
- Marine Bible Society merged with YMNYBS in 1840. All became known as NYBS.
- Name changed to New York Bible Society International in 1971.
- Name changed to New York International Bible Society in 1974.
- Name shortened to International Bible Society (IBS) in 1988.
- Living Bibles merger occurred in 1992.
- STL merger occurred March 1, 2007. Name changed to IBS-STL.
- Name changed to Biblica in July, 2009.
The organization moved to Colorado Springs from New Jersey in 1988 and moved into its current facility in 1989.
Biblica’s international ministry began in 1810 with its sponsorship of William Carey’s Bible translation work in India. The worldwide work expanded in 1992 following the merger with Living Bibles International, through which Biblica developed its global translation ministry. The reach of Biblica around the world again expanded through its merger with Send the Light in 2007.
Biblica has provided more than 650 million Scripture pieces around the world in its 200-year history. In addition, Biblica’s Scripture online provides access to God’s Word in 26 languages to more than 85 million people per month.
GENERAL MINISTRY FACTS:
Biblica conducts ministry directly and through partnerships with other ministries in 71 countries around the world.
Biblica conducts ministry through local leadership in 55 countries in 6 regions:
Biblica currently has approximately 900 employees worldwide, including translators, ministry program personnel, fulfillment staff, and administrative staff.
Biblica’s annual operating budget is approximately $70 million, with income stemming from donations, Bible and Christian resource sales, and royalties for the NIV from our publishing partners.
Biblica uses local leadership in all of its areas to ensure our work is always culturally relevant and appropriate for each location.
Biblica publishes high-quality Bibles, New Testaments, and other Scripture resources at extremely low ministry prices so that churches and other ministries can use Scripture in all forms of outreach.
In FY2009 (March 1, 2008-February 28, 2009) Biblica provided 29.23 million Scriptures, which included 11.7 million Bibles, New Testament and portions used to transform lives worldwide.
Biblica operates 29 ministry-focused Christian bookshops in India and several in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East to make Scriptures and Christian resources available where such resources are difficult to obtain.
Biblica conducts its ministry through three strategic strategies:
- Translation—Biblica translates the Bible into languages spoken by 1 million-plus speakers, has completed more than 100 languages, and is the translation sponsor and publisher of the New International Version® (NIV®).
- Publishing—Biblica produces translations and biblical resources to meet the needs of people in different cultures, conditions, and beliefs.
- Bible Engagement—Biblica offers programs and resources to churches and ministries to engage people more deeply in Scripture for life application and transformation.
Biblia conducts ministry in 6 key regions of the world:
Biblica ministry focuses on:
- Translation
- Children and Youth Ministry
- Specialized Ministry Outreach
- Bible and Church Engagement
- Scripture Outreach
TRANSLATIONS:
There are approximately 6,500 spoken languages and dialects spoken worldwide.
There are approximately 4,000 languages for which Scripture has not yet been translated. This represents about 350,000 people, as most of the world’s population has at least some Scripture in their vernacular language.
Biblica translates God’s Word for language groups of 1 million or more speakers, focusing on accuracy and clarity of text.
Since its founding, Biblica has completed translations in 100 languages, and is currently working on 35 translation projects in 34 languages.
These projects include New Testaments, Old Testaments, study notes, and discipleship materials.
More than 380 scholars and translators around the world are working on Biblica’s translation projects.
Biblica contracts with the Committee on Bible Translation for its ongoing work related to the NIV®.
Biblica is the copyright holder and ministry publisher for the New International Version® (NIV®), the world’s most read and trusted contemporary English translation of the Bible.
To date, more than 400 million copies of the NIV® have been distributed worldwide through Biblica and its publishing partners.
It takes approximately 12 years to complete a translation of the Bible.
While Biblica publishes Scripture for major languages, we’ve also supported Wycliffe Bible Translators with the publication of Scriptures in 510 languages, reaching smaller language groups in 41 countries.
PROJECTS:
In 2010 Biblica will conduct 111 ministry and translation projects around the world.
Biblica conducts these projects through our Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East/North Africa, and North America regional offices.
Biblica reaches approximately 29 million people per year through printed and audio/visual Scripture resources. In addition, we provide access to Scripture online and through other electronic channels to approximately 1 billion visitors per year.
Biblica provides approximately 7,000 Scriptures per quarter to inmates worldwide through partnership with other organizations, churches, and individuals.
Biblica has reached more than 2 million crisis and disaster victims with the hope of God’s Word including:
- Tsunami victims in Asia
- Hurricane victims in the US
- Victims and those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks
- Earthquake survivors in Haiti, Pakistan, Mexico, and many other places.
- Refugees and those displaced due to war and famine.
Biblica works in partnership with local churches worldwide to support their Scripture needs and outreach efforts. In addition, Biblica trains local pastors in many locations in the effective use of God’s Word in their congregations and communities.
Biblica partners with ministries including Compassion International, Campus Crusade for Christ, The Salvation Army, the Billy Graham Rapid Response team, and many others to provide Scripture resources that equip them to be more effective in their ministry.
