A Word About Bibles International

The BI Mission: Bibles International, the Bible Society Division of Baptist Mid-Missions, serves the fundamental independent Baptist world with Scripture translation, publishing, and literacy services we believe to be worthy of their trust. The Bibles we publish are the trustworthy Word of God, translated from the most trustworthy original texts, according to the most trustworthy principles and methods under careful quality control processes. We want the way in which we go about our work, the relationships we hold, to be trustworthy, too. We intend our word to be our bond. We purpose that our fund-raising, fund-handling, and expenditures all be worthy of trust. We want our attitudes and conduct to be such that when people think "Bibles International," they also think "trust." We believe that that desire comes from God, and that He is building it into the character of our whole ministry.

Wherever church-planting, church-developing Baptist missionaries and nationals need trustworthy, understandable Bibles in the local mother tongue, Bibles International wants to help. When churches, families, businesses, and foundations want to be involved in such a ministry, Bibles International wants to help them.

Our History: Bibles International began as the vision of several missionaries serving with Baptist Mid-Missions. Paul and Genella Versluis, veteran missionaries to India, Hawaii, Alaska, and Michigan, were among those who knew first hand the struggles of people who did not have the Bible in their own languages. When approached by the administration of Baptist Mid-Missions, Rev. Versluis took up this challenge in 1981 and began raising Bible-publishing funds among churches in a number of states.

Early projects included New Testaments in Brazil, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

When the Carlsons were called to Baptist Mid-Missions to work with the Versluises, their initial tasks were to arrange the publishing, recruit and build a staff, develop and manage systems of operation and public relations, and help Paul Versluis raise funds. Now 105 missionaries, employees, translators, and typists serve powerfully in this effort in the USA and overseas. Volunteers help in many capacities. 

Rev. Frederic Carlson and his wife retired from BI at the end of 1999.  Rev. Hantz Bernard was appointed as the new director-designate in the fall of 2000.

Scripture has been put into 29 languages already; and at present we are working on more than thirty more active projects in 11 countries on five continents; and we are actively researching a dozen more projects for adoption as soon as staff and funds are in hand.

Our Team: It takes a team to provide a high quality product. Besides our highly trained missionary specialists and support team, publishing just one New Testament translation requires about 12 years and some $200,000. Thus, it takes the concerted efforts of many individuals and churches. Some of this team is made up of hundreds of "Lamplighters" who give regularly. Scores of "Partners in Light" churches make Bibles International a part of their regular church budgets. Businessmen, foundations, families, and individuals young and old give large amounts and small to make translation, publication, and distribution of God's Word a reality.