What do you do when the things that have always worked, don’t work anymore? That’s the situation we found ourselves in when the pandemic shut down many traditional channels of Bible distribution and engagement. But by God’s grace, the ministry did not stop—in fact, it grew! Your support has made this a season of incredible creativity—of trying new ideas to continue setting God’s Word free in our changing world. Here are three creative new ways God worked through your support.
1: BIBLE APPS IN CHINA
We were still able to distribute thousands of print Bibles in China, but the real growth was in Chinese Bible apps such as WeDevote. We provided six digital resources on WeDevote and others. Engagement with online Bible resources more than doubled in 2020, and audio engagement increased more than 10 times. Thank God that even in the midst of chaos and sickness, His Word is available in other formats and can bring encouragement to those who need it most.
2: RADIO AND ONLINE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Digital engagement with Scripture was already an important tool before the pandemic, as it’s safer for many people to read the Bible online and participate in virtual Bible studies. God used our online platforms, mobile, social media, and USB Bibles in an even mightier way in 2020, with 50% growth. That includes four times the engagement via radio and TV. Praise God that tens of thousands of people could find hope while in their own homes.
3: RADIO AND TV IN AFRICA
Biblica’s Africa team quickly mobilized to adapt some of our most crucial resources for radio and TV. A staggering 21 million people engaged with our 30-day trauma care devotional When Your Whole World Changes via radio, TV, and social media. The Reach4Life program switched to digital training for group leaders and channels such as WhatsApp for group meetings. Reach4Life also went out on the radio in Swahili. Nearly one million youth joined in. During just one broadcast, 150 youth requested the book, and 54 gave their lives to Jesus. Thank God that traditional media such as radio can be used so powerfully.
