The Mission & Vision of the American Bible Society

From the American Bible Society's founding in 1816, we have been focused on translation, publication and the distribution of Bibles to as many people as possible.

Our mission today is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message.

The American Bible Society carries out its mission by:

• Affirming the power of God to speak to every generation through the Holy Scriptures.
• Providing translations of the Holy Scriptures that are faithful to the wording of the original language biblical texts.
• Working in partnership with all Christian churches and Christian communities.
• Producing materials that avoid endorsing or advocating any doctrinal positions.
• Utilizing appropriate communication tools that allow the Word of God to come alive in individual and public life.

The vision of the American Bible Society is to meet its continuing challenges with creativity and innovation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Among the opportunities presented in the third millennium are:

• The burgeoning youth population;
• The rapidly expanding numbers of people who seek political refuge and freedom;
• The growing number of persons who seek spiritual meaning in a secular or hostile culture;
• The many individuals whose main learning is in new idioms and electronic media, both audible and visual;
• The new media opportunities that are being developed on a routine basis.