2023 Distribution Stats

In 2023 3.26 million Scriptures and Scripture items in 38 languages were circulated to 111 countries, to the glory of God and the salvation of men. Grants and Sales were very evenly matched in 2023, such that 50% of the items circulated were granted and 50% were sold. Taking grants and sales together, the total number of items circulated in 2023 was 13% higher than in 2022. This was largely due to an increased number of Portuguese Scriptures being sold under license in Brazil. Overall, 490,181 more copies of the Scriptures (Bibles, New Testaments, and portions) were circulated in 2023 than in the previous year. This is a great cause for thanksgiving!

Sales

Supporters will be aware that we also distribute the Holy Scriptures by way of sales, often at heavily discounted prices. This is an important distribution channel for the Society, and most of the items we sell will later be given away free of charge on the mission field. Some 1.64 million Scriptures and Scripture items were sold by the Society worldwide in 2023. Of these, 583,000 were under licence or royalty to other publishers.

Grants

During 2023 over 1.62 million Bibles, Scripture portions, and Scripture items were granted free of charge to institutions and individuals at home and abroad.  

As well as supplying many smaller grants to approved recipients, we also supply large grants each year to grantees who have a close association with us. Some examples of larger grants of Bibles awarded during 2023 are listed below.

• 8,200 English Bibles and 1,400 Shona Bibles to Zimbabwe
• 5,000 Armenian Bibles to Armenia u 3,000 English Bibles to Botswana u 2,000 Portuguese Bibles to Angola
• 2,000 Ukrainian Bibles to Ukraine (via Germany)
• 2,000 Ukrainian Bibles to Ukraine (via Germany, in addition to the previous line)
• 2,000 Ukrainian Bibles to Romania
• 1,700 Portuguese Bibles and 5,000 Portuguese New Testaments with Psalms and Proverbs to Angola
• 1,500 English Bibles and 950 Chichewa New Testaments to Malawi
• 1,500 Romanian Bibles and 2,000 Ukrainian Gospels to Romania
• 1,300 English Bibles and 100 Chichewa New Testaments to Zambia
• 1,000 English Bibles to Kenya
• 1,000 English Bibles to Kenya (in addition to the previous line)
• 1,000 English Bibles for India
• 840 English Bibles and 500 English New Testaments and Psalms to Kenya
• 750 English Bibles and 400 English New Testaments and Psalms to Nigeria
• 500 Spanish Bibles to Mexico

While these Scriptures were sent out by us in 2023, in some cases the local distribution is still ongoing. Pray that the Lord would oversee and bless the scattering of this Gospel seed throughout the world.

Adapted from the Operations Report in the 2023 Annual Report.