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United Bible Societies

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United Bible Societies (UBS)
Founded1946
TypeInternational charity association
Area served
World
Websiteunitedbiblesocieties.org

The United Bible Societies (UBS) is a global fellowship of around 150 Bible Societies operating in more than 240 countries and territories. It has working hubs in England, Singapore, Nairobi and Miami.

History

The organisation was founded in 1946 by representatives from several national Bible Societies.[1] The founding meeting took place in Elfinsward, a retreat centre in Haywards Heath, England. The Bible Societies had been in discussions about working together before the war, and their war-time experiences made them even more determined to do so. Several delegates had survived years in prisons or concentration camps.

“There is not much hope in the world but there is very much hope in the Bible,” noted Bishop Eivind Berggrav from Norway, who spent much of the war in solitary confinement. “Peace and hope are two of the chief words in the Bible, and now the world is asking how we can find our way into the new future.”

On May 9, 1946, “moved by the need of the world for the Word of God and by the deep Christian fellowship of those who work together for its spread”, the Bible Societies agreed to form United Bible Societies (UBS).

Mission

The mission of United Bible Societies is to make the Bible available and accessible to everyone who wants it, and to help people engage with its message in meaningful and relevant ways. It has provided nearly three-quarters of the world's full Bible translations and is the world's biggest translator, publisher and distributor of the Bible.

Between 2015 and 2019, Bible Societies around the world distributed over 1.8 billion Scriptures and completed Scripture translations in 270 languages used by 1.7 billion people. Bible Societies are also active in areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention, trauma healing and literacy. Bible Societies carry out their work in partnership with all Christian Churches and many international non-governmental organisations. It has an observer status with the World Council of Churches and collaborates with the Catholic Biblical Federation as well as with several church organisations.

Members

The UBS has members and affiliates in around 150 countries, working in more than 240 countries and territories.[2] They include - among others:

Magazine

The Bible Translator is a refereed journal, published since 1950, dedicated to articles about the theory and practice of Bible translation. It appears in two series – Technical Papers in January and July, and Practical Papers in April and October.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 2356
  2. ^ UBS web page retrieved Jan 24, 2011
  3. ^ Columbian Bible Society Archived June 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine website
  4. ^ Bible Society of South Africa website
  5. ^ 'Lembaga Alkitab Indonesia' website
  6. ^ Journal
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