Christian Record Services

What Christian Record Services does

Christian Record Services, Inc. (CRS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1899 by Austin O. Wilson and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, operating as an official ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. CRS provides free accessible Christian reading materials, programs, and community services to individuals who are blind or have low vision across the United States, Canada, U.S. territories, and globally through denominational partnerships — serving 17,275 members as of 2025 with approximately 9,000 outside North America.

The product portfolio centers on multi-format content production: braille magazines (Christian Record quarterly, The Children's Friend, Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, El Centinela in Spanish), the bimonthly Light Magazine (now USPTO trademarked), the quarterly Vantage Point audio magazine (70 years in publication with 4,200+ subscribers), the Accessible SDA Hymnal across seven format sets, and over 1,600 titles in the Naomi Chapman Turner Library for the Blind delivered via the Softlink-powered Lib.Guide online portal and physical mail. Adjacent services include Bible correspondence courses, Full-Vision Books for shared family reading, Zoo Buds plush audio toys, the Anne Lowe Scholarship, Veterans Resources, and Spanish-language services. The First Response Initiative launched in April 2026 extends distribution into eye care clinics via Lifeline Kits targeting 2,026 facilities by 2026. PhoneFaith, acquired during COVID-19, anchors ongoing community engagement through 17 weekly live telephone programs reaching 353 unique callers in 2025.

The business model is donor-funded, with all services provided free of charge to members. Revenue streams include individual donations, planned giving and estate gifts, denominational grants (NAD Resource Development Committee, ASI), charitable gift annuities routed through the Western Adventist Foundation, and a multi-year service contract with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada. Operations are run by a 14-member team, with active board oversight chaired by the NAD President. The organization is currently navigating leadership transitions (President Dexter Thomas appointed October 2025; VP Finance Charles W. Reel effective July 1, 2026) while expanding clinical, geographic, and language reach.

Name

Christian Record Services

Legal name

Christian Record Services, Inc.

Website

https://christianrecord.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Christian Record Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and official ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, providing free accessible Christian reading materials, magazines, library services, and PhoneFaith outreach to 17,275 blind and low-vision members across the U.S., Canada, and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services and Accessible Religious Publishing

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD), Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL)

Keywords

• Accessible reading materials
• Braille publishing services
• Blind ministry services
• Disability outreach programs
• Faith-based nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, church partners, and organizational supporters. Donors contribute through online giving, checks, and recurring donations. The organization receives support from the Seventh-day Adventist Church through NAD.
2. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Bequests through wills/trusts, IRA charitable rollovers, charitable gift annuities. Donors can establish endowments for specific programs like camps or Bible production.
3. Grants: Funding from NAD Resource Development Committee ($43,436 grant for First Response Initiative), ASI grants for PhoneFaith training, and other foundation grants for specific projects.
4. Government Contracts: Contract revenue from Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (3-year contract 2025-2027) to provide services to members in Canada territories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Christian Record Services provides completely free accessible Christian materials and programs for people who are blind or have low vision, including braille, large print, audio, and DAISY-format magazines, books, and Bibles; an online lending library (Lib.Guide); Bible correspondence courses; live PhoneFaith telephone outreach programs; National Camps for Blind Children; and the Anne Lowe Scholarship for blind college students.

Product overview

Christian Record Services is a nonprofit ministry providing free accessible Christian materials and programs for people who are blind or have low vision. The organization operates as a unified platform offering library services (Lib.Guide/Naomi Chapman Turner Library), multiple magazine publications (Christian Record, Light Magazine, Vantage Point, The Children's Friend, Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide), Bible correspondence courses, PhoneFaith telephone outreach ministry, National Camps for Blind Children, the Anne Lowe Scholarship program, Full-Vision Books for families, Zoo Buds for young children, veterans resources, accessible SDA hymnal sets, and Spanish-language services. The First Response Initiative represents a new clinic-based outreach program. All materials are produced in multiple accessible formats including braille, large print, audio, and digital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PhoneFaith: A telephone outreach ministry for adults who are blind or have low vision, offering daily dial-in presentations with mental health sessions, social interactions, Bible games, and prayer.
• National Camps for Blind Children (NCBC)
• Anne Lowe Scholarship
• Naomi Chapman Turner Library for the Blind
• Full-Vision Books
• Zoo Buds
• Light Magazine
• Vantage Point

Products and services

• Lib.Guide (Naomi Chapman Turner Library for the Blind) Online lending library platform providing 24/7 access to over 1,600 titles of inspiring and empowering books in multiple accessible formats including refreshable braille, large print text, and audio files for Daisy players or streaming; available to legally blind and low-vision members worldwide.
• Light Magazine Bimonthly magazine produced in braille, audio, large print, and PDF formats covering Christian perspectives on personal relationships, independent living, health, and current interest topics for blind and low-vision members.
• Christian Record Magazine Quarterly braille magazine in continuous publication since 1899, containing inspiring stories, uplifting articles, features on healthful living and relationships, and thought-provoking poetry for blind members.
• Vantage Point Audio Magazine Quarterly audio magazine featuring interviews and inspirational articles on health, nature, travel, music, arts, sermons, Bible stories, and personal accomplishment stories; previously known as Christian Record Talking Magazine.
• The Children's Friend Magazine Quarterly braille magazine for blind and low-vision children ages 9-12 featuring stories about outdoor adventures, missionary endeavors, children confronting peer pressure, and Bible stories.
• Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide Monthly magazine covering different Bible subjects with daily devotional readings, mission stories, and group discussion questions, available in braille and BRF formats.
• PhoneFaith Telephone outreach ministry for adults who are blind or have low vision offering 17 weekly live dial-in programs including Bible trivia, community awareness, diabetes support, health and wellness, social meet-and-greets, Bible games, and prayer time; Spanish programs also available.
• Bible Correspondence Courses Correspondence Bible study courses including Come Alive With Jesus (7 lessons), Stay Alive with Jesus (15 lessons), Discover (26 lessons), and Life and Teachings of Christ (25 lessons), all available in braille and large print.
• National Camps for Blind Children (NCBC) Summer camp program for blind and low-vision individuals ages 9-65, offered through partnerships with 17 Adventist camps and retreat centers across the United States; CRS sponsors one camp per camper per season. Includes Youth Camp Integrated Model (YCIM) for integrated experiences.
• Anne Lowe Scholarship College scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate students who are legally blind attending accredited U.S. institutions, based on academic achievement, citizenship, and verification of blindness.
• Full-Vision Books Children's books in a combination of braille and large print that enable blind parents to read to sighted children and sighted parents to read along with children who are blind while learning braille; includes The Beginner's Bible, Adventure Bible, Berenstain Bears, and more.
• Zoo Buds Three soft plush animals with solar-powered audio players that share music and Bible stories, designed for children ages 3-9 to introduce young blind children to reading services and prepare them for National Camps for Blind Children.
• Veterans Resources Special collection of audiobooks about courage and strength for veterans who are blind or losing sight, including titles like Unbroken, The Blessing of Adversity, and The Book of Job.
• Servicios en Español (Spanish Services) Spanish-language services including PhoneFaith Español, Bible studies in Spanish braille and large print, Spanish-language magazines (El Centinela), Spanish New Testament in braille, and Spanish-language audio resources.
• Accessible SDA Hymnal Sets Complete collection of the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal in seven distinct accessible formats: Hymnal Lyrics, Responsive Readings, Piano, 4-Part Harmony, and Indices in braille; Hymnal Lyrics and Responsive Readings in large print.
• First Response Initiative Strategic outreach program placing Lifeline Kits in eye care clinics' waiting rooms and exam rooms to provide immediate support when patients receive irreversible vision loss diagnoses, plus New Member/Hope Kits for individuals who connect with CRS; targets 2,026 eye care facilities by 2026.
• The Desire of Ages (Braille and Large Print Edition) Ellen G. White's The Desire of Ages offered for the first time in CRS's nearly 125-year history as a borrowable/keepable book in braille and large print; full book consists of 800 sheets/1,600 pages of braille in six volumes.
• Dramatized Bible Stories from The Bible in Living Sound 56 hours of dramatized Bible stories from The Bible in Living Sound (BLS), including Old Testament Books 1 & 2, Life of Jesus (Book 3), and Paul's ministry (Book 4); dramatized stories follow King James Version narrative and are available through the CRS library and PhoneFaith.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,275 memberships served in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Union Adventist UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Historic CRS building (2,345 sq ft) purchased by Union Adventist University for $1 in August 2025. The building on South 48th Street and Bancroft Avenue was originally constructed in 1936 for $15,000 (current value $800,000). Building features Art Deco facade on National Register of Historic Places. CRS had previously moved headquarters but maintained connection to the site near Union College.
• The Bible in Living Sound (BLS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2025Agreement grants CRS access to 56 hours of English audio content: Old Testament (Books 1 & 2), Life of Jesus (Book 3), and Paul's ministry (Book 4). Dramatized Bible stories follow King James Version narrative. Additional languages available (Japanese, Chinese, Thai, African, French, Bambara, Urdu; Turkish and Spanish in progress). Project originally created by Leal and Ruth Grunke.
• Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2024Three-year contract (2025-2027) for CRS to provide services to members who are blind and visually impaired in Canada. SDACC funding ensures members from all conferences receive essential resources without added costs. Services include online library/app access, Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, and CRS magazine subscriptions in multiple accessible formats.
• Softlink (Lib.Guide)coreTechnology or IntegrationLib.Guide online library platform operated by Softlink enables member access to 1,600+ titles. All CRS accessible resources are cataloged and reservable through Softlink, making it easy for members to find and reserve formats that meet their needs. Digital braille sets listed with shelf space descriptions.
• Western Adventist FoundationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with Western Adventist Foundation provides professional and confidential gift-planning solutions for donors. CRS refers donors to Western Adventist Foundation for charitable gift annuities and other planned giving instruments. Contact: 866-356-5595 or www.wafsda.org.
• National Camps for Blind Children Partner CampscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor17 partner camps across the United States include Big Lake Youth Camp (OR), Broken Arrow Ranch (KS), Glacier View Ranch (CO), Camp Lawroweld (ME), Mills Spring Ranch (WY), North Star Camp (MN), Timber Ridge Camp (IN), Camp Yavapines (AZ), Camp Kulaqua (FL), and Wewoka Woods Adventist Center (OK). All partner camps are state-accredited; some hold ACA accreditation. CRS sponsors one camp per camper per season.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Federally funded program providing free braille and audio materials to print-disabled Americans. NLS is the largest direct comparator in free accessible materials distribution and competes for the same member base through regional libraries.
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): Nonprofit producing educational and daily living materials in braille, large print, audio, and tactile formats for the blind. APH overlaps with CRS on accessible production and distribution, though focused more on K-12 education materials.
• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Nonprofit providing free education, resources, and support to people who are blind or visually impaired. Hadley's distance-learning and free resource model closely mirrors CRS's mission and free-service delivery approach.
• Learning Ally: Nonprofit audiobook library serving people with print disabilities including blindness, dyslexia, and other reading barriers. Learning Ally's audiobook lending model and donor-funded structure parallel CRS's library and material distribution approach.
• Bookshare (Benetech): Online library of accessible ebooks for people with print disabilities, operated by Benetech. Bookshare's digital lending model for blind and dyslexic users overlaps directly with CRS's Lib.Guide library platform.
• Lighthouse Guild: Nonprofit providing vision healthcare, rehabilitation, and support services for the visually impaired. Lighthouse Guild's clinical and support service model parallels CRS's First Response Initiative and broader member services.

Broad incumbents

• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): Largest U.S. advocacy and service organization for the blind, operating programs across employment, education, and independence. NFB's broader advocacy mandate contrasts with CRS's faith-focused service model, but both serve overlapping member populations.
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit addressing inclusion, access, and independence for people with vision loss. AFB operates research, policy, and direct service programs across the U.S., serving a comparable population to CRS through a secular lens.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic institution serving blind individuals through education, research, and international programs. Perkins shares CRS's century-plus operating history and specialization in serving the blind community, but at significantly larger institutional scale.

Others

• Guide Dogs for the Blind: Nonprofit providing guide dogs and training services free of charge to blind and low-vision individuals. Operates in adjacent service category with similar donor-funded model but different core offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CRSBfriends
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ChRecord
• Facebookfacebook.com/crsbfriends
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crsbfriends
• Instagraminstagram.com/crsbfriends

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Christian Record Services