On 11 May 2026, the American Bible Society (ABS) celebrated 210 years of service.
More than two centuries ago (1816), a group of faithful founding fathers of the United States gathered to establish the ABS. This group of prominent leaders included: Supreme Court Justice John Jay, Continental Congress President Elias Boudinot, and national anthem lyricist Francis Scott Key and several other American luminaries. The vision was to make the Bible easily available to everyone.
Since its inception, ABS has reached millions of people in the United States and abroad, bringing the priceless Good News of salvation and changing the lives of many.
By 1835, ABS was founded in 1835.
In 1835, ABS published the first Braille portion of the Bible, allowing the blind to read God's word for the first time. During the Civil War that claimed thousands of casualties, ABS produced the first pocket Bibles to be distributed to soldiers on both sides, bringing the light of the gospel to the front lines of one of America's darkest chapters. The first Bible translation ABS published was for the Lenape tribe of Delaware, and since then ABS has been involved in various Bible translation activities into other languages around the world.
What began as translating and distributing Scripture has now grown far beyond what the founders of ABS imagined. Today ABS ministers from Bible translation and distribution, Bible-based trauma healing programmes and provides a wide array of Bible-centred content and resources to serve the digital age. God continues to expand this work as part of a movement to help people access the Bible and truly encounter God through the Bible.
“ For the past 210 years, we've been helping people encounter the life-changing Word of God by making the Bible accessible to everyone," said Jennifer Holloran, president and CEO of American Bible Society. "God doesn't need us to accomplish all of His plans, but He does choose us to be His faithful co-workers in His plans!" she said. As we carry forward this vision and live out this legacy, we each have the wonderful opportunity to point people to Christ and equip them with His word. This is our part in God's story!
” God has guided our ministry for more than two centuries and continues to shape our next direction. That's why, as we celebrate the past 210 years, we not only reflect on all that God has done, but also commit to His call to us today," he continued.
Breaking Down Barriers to God's Word
For more than two centuries, ABS has focused on one thing: getting God's Word to people who need it. That started as early as 1816, and continues to this day.
In many regions today, language and access to physical Bibles are no longer major barriers to building a meaningful relationship with God. With the existence of Bible Institutes all over the world, physical Bibles are now quite easy to obtain. You may have seen this first-hand. The challenge is now different. Your friend, who is going through the pain of divorce, struggles to hear the comfort found in God's word. Another relative of yours considers the Bible outdated and irrelevant to modern life. While your child, caught up in the pressures of college, relationships, and future plans, seems to find it difficult to turn their attention to the wisdom in the Bible.
These challenges "and many other difficulties" often prevent people from hearing and responding clearly to the truth of Scripture. As a result, many people miss the opportunity to encounter Jesus through His word. But we (the ABS family) believe something powerful: when God comes through the Bible in a language and format that suits them, according to their background, they don't just read the Scriptures word for word, but they encounter the Author. And that encounter with God changes everything!
As ABS celebrates its 210th anniversary, their eyes are looking far ahead. They are adapting, adjusting and refining the focus of its ministry, to suit the situation, conditions and challenges of today's world. One thing they realise is that ABS cannot go it alone. In order for the ministry to be effective, they collaborate and cooperate with other communities of believers and biblical institutions around the world.
God uses Scripture to transform lives through His Spirit, and everyone deserves the opportunity to experience that. This means a renewed commitment to innovation, to listening and learning, and to deeper partnership with the church so that we can be present and meet each person with the Bible that is right for them, in a way that fits the context and realities they face every day.
God Isn't Done Yet!
Today God is still working through ABS, just as He is working in every believer like you. The scripture reminds us that "the harvest is plentiful" (Matthew 9:37). The challenges and needs of the people for the word of God are great, and the opportunity is now.
Therefore, ABS invites churches and partners to step out together, affirming a commitment to move forward in faith, trusting God's guidance and continuing what He has faithfully sustained for 210 years.
If you love His word, thank you for being a part of this great mission. Your prayers and support have helped bring truth and hope through God's word that has blossomed, grown and taken root in the hearts of countless people. And today we know, God isn't done yet!
Translated from: americanbible.org
