FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     New York, NY,
June 6, 2008

A visual generation needs to be able to picture faith. With that in mind, the American Bible Society was one of 49 organizations that gathered last week in Pampano Beach, Florida for the Visual Story Network Summit. The goal of the invitation-only Summit that was attended by Christian leaders representing media producers, Bible agencies, filmmakers and television broadcasters, churches, universities, and missions groups, was to "ignite a global movement of visual story for the sake of Christ's kingdom."

During the Summit, strategy groups were formed to concentrate on global opportunities, training visual communicators, facilitating communication and collaboration, among other subjects, all focused on the idea of responding to the challenge of presenting the Gospel to an increasingly visual world.

The American Bible Society was represented by Chris Thyberg, Associate Executive Director, Global Scripture Ministries. "The American Bible Society is committed to presenting the Good News of the Bible in ways that new generations can engage and embrace," said Thyberg. "It is a privilege to be thinking, praying and working alongside innovative Christian leaders in the Visual Story Network."

Clyde Taber, Director of the Visual Story Network, added, "We were thrilled to have the American Bible Society participate in this gathering of forward thinkers. They have a rich heritage of finding new ways to communicate the timeless message of Scripture."

In addition to the American Bible Society, Hollywood Connect, Navigators, Youth with a Mission, JESUS Film Project, and Mission America were among the other organizations that participated in the Summit.

The Visual Story Network, sponsor of the Summit, is a coalition of Christian leaders working together to employ the power of story in visual media in service of God's Kingdom. Next steps for the Visual Story Network include the development of an online networking platform, in which the American Bible Society plans to participate.

About the American Bible Society

Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message. The American Bible Society Web site is www.americanbible.org.