Bible League International

What Bible League International does

Bible League International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization founded in 1938 and headquartered in Crete, Illinois (with additional offices in Hurst, Texas; Hong Kong; Sydney; Apeldoorn; Johannesburg; and Nairobi). Its mission is to provide Scripture access, Bible-based study materials, and training to under-resourced churches, prisoners, children and youth, and illiterate adults across more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. The organization employs 101–250 staff globally and reports quantifiable outcomes such as 3.5 million-plus Bibles and study materials distributed in India, 1,790 churches planted in India, 160,000 people reached in Indonesia over three years, and 1,000-plus Bible study leaders trained per month in 2024.

The organization's core product portfolio centers on the Easy-to-Read Translation (ERT/ERV) Bible library — full Bibles in 24 languages and New Testaments in 33 languages, produced from original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek source texts at approximately a third-grade reading level. Distribution is delivered through four interlocking programs: Project Philip (evangelism and discipleship Bible studies), Bible-based Literacy (52-week literacy instruction using Scripture), Church Planter Training, and the Light of the World children's stewardship program. Complementary digital surfaces include the ERV Reader mobile applications on iOS and Android (18+ language translations, with search, bookmarks, note-taking, and adjustable text size) and The Word in Action weekly podcast distributed via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Pandora. Prison Ministry operates in partnership with Prison Fellowship International. Underlying technology comprises Bible translation tooling, publishing systems, and data and platform infrastructure managed by a dedicated SVP of Data and Platform Strategy.

The business model is donation-funded with no products sold. Revenue streams comprise individual one-time gifts (suggested tiers of $50, $75, $100, $150, $250), recurring monthly donations through The Sowers program (4,000-plus donors generating approximately $2.5 million annually, with first-gift matching up to $5,000 for new monthly partners), planned giving vehicles (stock/securities, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions for donors age 70½ and older, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, donor-advised funds routed through Barnabas Foundation, and bequests), and church, business, and foundation grants. Fundraising is executed across direct mail, internet (bibleleague.org, sendbiblesnow.org radio), phone (866-825-4636), e-communications, social channels, volunteer ambassadors, and donor field events. Pricing is published as suggested donation tiers rather than fixed prices, and all contributions are tax-deductible under the organization's 501(c)(3) status.

Name

Bible League International

Legal name

Bible League International

Website

https://bibleleague.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bible League International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1938 that produces Easy-to-Read Bible translations in 24+ languages and delivers them, alongside literacy, discipleship, and church-planter training, to under-resourced churches and communities across more than 60 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Nonprofit Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Religious Organizations (813110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL)

Keywords

• Bible translation services
• Christian ministry programs
• Bible-based literacy education
• Church planter training
• Religious nonprofit publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Crete

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters globally. Monthly giving program called 'The Sowers' has over 4,000 monthly donors. First gift matched up to $5,000 for new monthly partners.
2. Monthly Partner Program: Recurring monthly donations providing consistent support for believers worldwide. Monthly partners are described as the lifeblood of the ministry.
3. Planned Giving: Charitable gift planning including stock/securities gifts, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for donors 70½+, wills/bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and donor-advised funds through Barnabas Foundation.
4. Church and Organizational Partnerships: Funding from churches, businesses, and foundations. Ministry operates on annual budgets for each country of ministry with integrated funding strategy.
5. Direct Mail and Internet Fundraising: Traditional and digital fundraising channels including direct mail campaigns, e-communications, radio (sendbiblesnow.org), and online donation platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Bible League International is a nonprofit ministry that translates, produces, and distributes Bibles in easy-to-read contemporary languages, and provides Bible-based literacy training, evangelism curriculum, and church planter training to under-resourced churches and communities across 60+ countries. Its offerings include Easy-to-Read Translation (ERT) Bibles in 24 full languages and 33 New Testaments, the Project Philip Bible study program, a 52-week Bible-based Literacy curriculum, Church Planter Training, the Light of the World children's program, and prison ministry partnerships delivered through a global local-church partnership network.

Product overview

Bible League International operates as a ministry organization with a portfolio of interconnected programs designed to equip under-resourced churches globally. The core offerings include four main programs: Project Philip (Bible study for evangelism/discipleship), Bible-based Literacy (reading/writing education using Bible texts), Church Planter Training, and Translation (Easy-to-Read Bible translations in 24+ languages). Supporting these are the ERV Reader Apps (mobile applications for Bible access), Light of the World (children's stewardship program), The Sowers (monthly donor program), The Word in Action Podcast (media content), and three strategic initiatives focused on Church Growth, Children & Youth, and Prison Ministry. The products work together to provide a comprehensive ecosystem for Bible distribution, literacy education, and spiritual formation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Philip: Bible study program for evangelism and discipleship that engages people with God's Word through trained leaders
• Bible-based Literacy
• Church Planter Training
• Easy-to-Read Translation (ERV)
• Light of the World
• The Sowers
• The Word in Action Podcast

Products and services

• Project Philip

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.5+ million Bibles and study materials distributed in India alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Barnabas FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough Bible League International\'s membership with Barnabas Foundation, donors have complimentary access to the 'Stewards Fund' - a donor-advised fund reflecting biblical values. Barnabas Foundation staff manage and liquidate non-cash asset gifts and provide expertise in planned giving.
• Local Churches WorldwidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBible League\'s programs are carried out by local partners working closely with local churches around the world. Local church partners receive training, Bibles, and biblical resources to implement Project Philip Bible studies, Bible-based Literacy, and Church Planter Training in their communities. Over 60 countries served through this network.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Bible Society: The largest U.S.-based Bible distribution and translation nonprofit, with significantly deeper translation libraries, larger donor base, and broader Scripture engagement programs; directly comparable mission (making the Bible accessible) with broader and more diversified program portfolio than Bible League.
• United Bible Societies: A global fellowship of 146 Bible Societies coordinating translation, publishing, and distribution worldwide; represents the largest international umbrella comparable to Bible League's multi-region ministry footprint.
• Compassion International: A large Colorado Springs-based Christian child sponsorship and holistic development nonprofit; comparable as an evangelical donor-funded global NGO with similar revenue model (recurring monthly sponsors), transparency certifications, and global field partnerships — a strong operational archetype even though mission is child sponsorship rather than Scripture distribution.

Direct peers

• Gideons International: A membership-based evangelical nonprofit focused exclusively on distributing Bibles (hotels, hospitals, prisons, military, students); directly overlaps Bible League's prison ministry and Scripture-distribution mission and represents a well-established substitute donor option.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators: The leading global Bible translation organization, headquartered in Orlando, FL, focused on translating Scripture into every language; directly comparable on the Easy-to-Read Translation (ERT) technology and translation-pipeline dimensions of Bible League's work.
• Biblica: A Colorado Springs-based nonprofit Bible translation and publishing ministry (formerly International Bible Society and Send the Light); peers closely on Easy-to-Read translation approach, donor-funded Bible access, and global Scripture distribution.

Emerging players

• Prison Fellowship International: The global prison ministry partner explicitly named in Bible League's Prison Ministry program; overlaps meaningfully in prison Scripture distribution and inmate rehabilitation, with Prison Fellowship leading the partnership while Bible League supplies materials.

Regional players

• Bible Society (UK): The UK-based Bible translation and distribution charity with deep roots and a large translation library; comparable mission and translation methodology, but operating primarily from a UK/Commonwealth geography versus Bible League's U.S.-led global footprint.

Others

• Crossway: A not-for-profit Christian publisher best known for the ESV Bible translation; adjacent rather than directly competing, as a publishing-focused ministry with overlapping Scripture-access mission and donor-supported distribution model.
• Moody Bible Institute: The Chicago-based evangelical Bible education and media institution where EVP of Finance Joe Ibatuan previously served in leadership for five years; thematically related as an evangelical Bible-centered institution with overlapping donor and leadership pools, though focused on education rather than distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BibleLeague
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thebibleleague
• Facebookfacebook.com/BibleLeagueInternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/bibleleagueinternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles28 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bible League International