Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting

What Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting does

Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting (GBS) is a Dutch nonprofit foundation (ANBI status) headquartered in Leerdam, Netherlands, with a 6-person staff dedicated to preserving the Statenvertaling — the historic Dutch Authorized Version — and distributing Protestant Bible editions. The foundation serves primarily Dutch Reformed (Gereformeerde) Christian communities that adhere to formal-equivalence (word-for-word) translation philosophy and the verbal inspiration doctrine, alongside international Reformed constituencies reached through co-financed translation projects.

The core technology and product portfolio centers on integrated digital and print Bible resources. Digital infrastructure includes GBS Bijbel Online (a free web application at bijbel-statenvertaling.com) and the GBS Bijbel App (free iOS/Android mobile applications), which together deliver the full Statenvertaling with annotations, the King James Version with Dutch-translated annotations, two psalm versifications, confessional writings, and catechism methods. Print products span Bibles in approximately 25 languages, psalm books, theological works, and a children's Bible reading book series (Bijbelleesboekjes). Active translation and revision projects include the Statenvertaling bewaren linguistic maintenance initiative (with Markusevangelie released 2025), a Studiebijbel with retranslated annotations, Afrikaans annotation translation for the 1933/1953 South African Bible, a Chinese Bible translation co-financed with the Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS), a revised Spanish Reina-Valera translation, and a revised Hebrew Delitzsch New Testament for Messianic and Orthodox Jews. An accessibility product — the Toegankelijk Kerkboek — extends reach to visually impaired believers via tablet and Braille support.

The business model combines (1) one-time product sales through a webshop, showroom, telephone, and mail orders; (2) recurring donateur memberships (minimum €2.50/year, receiving the quarterly StandVastig magazine); and (3) tax-deductible donations enabled by ANBI status. Go-to-market is community-led, anchored by regular bijeenkomsten (gatherings) in Reformed churches across the Netherlands, supplemented by digital channels (website, app stores, content marketing). The organization partners strategically with the Trinitarian Bible Society on multi-language translation work, with Stichting De Chinese Vertalers on Chinese-language publications, with Stigting Reformatoriese Getuienis in South Africa on Afrikaans annotations, and with CBB on accessibility products.

Name

Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting

Legal name

Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting

Website

https://gbs.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting is a Dutch ANBI nonprofit foundation in Leerdam that preserves the Statenvertaling (Dutch Authorized Bible Version) and distributes Bibles, psalm books, and theological materials to Dutch Reformed Christian communities and international constituencies through print, webshop, mobile app, and co-financed Bible translation projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Publishing

NAICS

Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL), Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Religious Children’s Publishing (Faith-Based Kids & YA) (MPAJAHAJ), Children’s Religious & Values-Based Publishing (MPAJAFAL), Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB)

Keywords

• Bible publishing
• Religious book distribution
• Statenvertaling preservation
• Multilingual Bible translation
• Christian nonprofit publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Leerdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of Bibles in approximately 25 different languages, psalm books, theological books, children's Bible reading books, brochures, and other religious publications through the GBS webshop. One-time purchase model for physical products.
2. Donations and Gifts: GBS is an ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling - Public Benefit Organization), making donations tax-deductible. The organization depends on gifts and donations to support its mission of Bible preservation and distribution.
3. Donateur Membership: Annual donor program requiring minimum contribution of €2.50 per year. Donateurs receive the quarterly publication StandVastig and are part of the supporting community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that publishes, distributes, and digitally delivers the Statenvertaling (Dutch Authorized Version) and approximately 25-language Bible editions, theological works, psalm books, and children's Bible reading materials to Reformed Christian communities in the Netherlands and abroad. The organization maintains the GBS Bijbel App and GBS Bijbel Online platforms that provide free digital access to the Statenvertaling with annotations, the King James Version, psalm versifications, confessional writings, and catechism methods.

Product overview

Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting (GBS) operates as a publisher of Protestant Christian materials, centered on the preservation and distribution of the Statenvertaling (Dutch Authorized Version). The core product portfolio consists of the GBS Bijbel App and GBS Bijbel Online, which provide digital access to the Statenvertaling with annotations, psalms, and confessional writings. GBS maintains several major projects including the Studiebijbel (Study Bible with retranslated annotations), the Statenvertaling bewaren linguistic maintenance initiative (with the 2025 Markusevangelie release), and international Bible translation projects including Chinese, Afrikaans, Spanish, and Hebrew New Testament revisions. The publishing house also offers a comprehensive range of print products including Bibles in approximately 25 languages, Bijbelleesboekjes (children's Bible reading booklets), psalm books, theological books, and accessibility products such as the Toegankelijk Kerkboek for visually impaired users.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GBS Bijbel Online: Online Bible reading platform containing the full text of the Statenvertaling with annotations, King James Version, two psalm collections, confessional writings and formularies, and catechism methods
• GBS Bijbel App

Products and services

• GBS Bijbel App Free mobile application for Android and iOS containing the Statenbijbel (Statenvertaling) with annotations, psalms, confessional writings, and forms. Distributed through Apple App Store and Google Play Store, designed for individual Reformed Christians and accessible to users in any location with offline Bible reading capability.
• GBS Bijbel Online Free web-based Bible program at bijbel-statenvertaling.com containing the complete Statenvertaling with annotations, the King James Version with translated annotations, two psalm versifications, confessional writings and formularies, and catechism methods. Designed for individual Reformed Christians for daily Bible reading and theological study.
• Statenvertaling (Statenbijbel) Bibles Print editions of the Dutch Authorized Version (Statenvertaling) — a formal-equivalence Bible translation maintained and published by GBS with annotations and various editions including large print, pew Bibles, and distribution copies. Sold to individual Reformed Christians and churches via the GBS webshop.
• Bijbels in andere talen (Bibles in ~25 Languages) Catalog of Bibles in approximately 25 different languages including Arabic, Chinese, English (King James Version), German, French, Spanish, Russian, and others. Sold via the GBS webshop to international Christian communities and individuals needing formal-equivalence translations.
• Bijbelleesboekjes (Children's Bible Reading Booklets) Series of Bible reading booklets for children in Old Testament and New Testament volumes. Each booklet contains simple Bible stories with coloring pages, puzzles, and songs, suitable for home, school, or Sunday school use. Designed for reading aloud from age 4 and independent reading from age 6.
• Psalmboeken (Psalm Books) Psalm books including large print editions and Petrus Datheen rhyming versions, intended for use in Reformed church services and personal devotion. Sold via the GBS webshop to individuals and congregations.
• Chinees Psalter (Chinese Psalter) Chinese Psalter published in both traditional and simplified characters, with music notation, plus confessions, catechisms, and liturgical forms. Published by Stichting De Chinese Vertalers and distributed by GBS via its webshop for Chinese-speaking Reformed Christian communities.
• Toegankelijk Kerkboek (Accessible Church Book) Accessible e-book for tablet use containing the GBS Bible with Psalms and forms, developed for visually impaired Christians in partnership with CBB (Christelijke Bibliotheek voor Blinden en Slechtzienden). Features zoom capability and Braille reading line support, enabling participation in church services.
• Markusevangelie (2025) — Linguistic Maintenance Edition Updated edition of the Gospel of Mark from the Statenvertaling, the first completed output of the 'Statenvertaling bewaren' (Preserving the Statenvertaling) linguistic maintenance project. Modernizes outdated language while preserving substantive meaning, sold to individual Reformed Christians via the webshop with an accompanying free explanatory brochure.
• Kanttekeningen in het Afrikaans (Afrikaans New Testament Annotations) Afrikaans translation of Statenvertaling New Testament annotations developed for South African Christians to be used alongside the 1933/1953 Afrikaans Bible translation. Targeted at Afrikaans-speaking Reformed Christian communities and supported through GBS's partnership with Stigting Reformatoriese Getuienis.
• Chinees Nieuwe Testament (TBS-revisie 2022) Chinese New Testament revision published in 2022 in collaboration with Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS). A formal-equivalence translation based on the Masoretic text and Textus Receptus, sold via the GBS webshop (€8.75) for Chinese-speaking Reformed Christians.
• Revisie Spaanse Bijbel (Spaans Nieuwe Testament 2016) Revised Reina-Valera Spanish New Testament produced in collaboration with Trinitarian Bible Society. A formal-equivalent translation, distributed by GBS for Spanish-speaking Reformed Christian communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Markusevangelie (2025) published as first book in Statenvertaling linguistic maintenance project
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBS and TBS collaborate on Bible translation projects. TBS is working with GBS on a new Chinese Bible translation based on the Hebrew Masoretic text and Greek Textus Receptus, with GBS providing full financing. TBS is also producing a revised Spanish Reina-Valera translation with GBS funding the majority. GBS collaborates with TBS on Hebrew New Testament revision (Delitzsch translation) for Messianic Jews and Orthodox Jews in Israel.
• Stichting De Chinese VertalerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChinese Translators Foundation based in Kruiningen publishes the Chinese Psalter and theological works (Hellenbroek, Kort Begrip Kersten) in Chinese. GBS distributes these Chinese-language theological materials through its webshop.
• Stigting Reformatoriese GetuienismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African foundation has published the New Testament annotations in Afrikaans translation (Die Nuwe Testament met die kanttekeninge, 1933/1953 vertaling), presented December 16, 2025. Collaboration on translating Statenvertaling annotations to Afrikaans for use with the classical South African Bible translation.
• CBB (Christelijke Bibliotheek voor Blinden en Slechtzienden)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Library for Blind and Visually Impaired developed an accessible church book (toegankelijk kerkboek) for tablet use containing GBS Bible with Psalms and forms. GBS provided financial contribution to the project. CBB maintains the product with updates and customer support.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Tyndale House Publishers: Major evangelical Bible publisher producing translations such as the NLT and study Bibles. Comparable in Bible-focused publishing, but operates at commercial scale in English rather than Dutch.
• American Bible Society: Large US nonprofit that publishes and distributes Bibles (including the NRSV and Good News Translation) and operates a major digital Bible platform. Broader, ecumenical incumbent in the same Bible publishing and distribution category.
• Gideons International: Global nonprofit distributing free Bibles through churches, hotels, and hospitals. Comparable as a faith-based, donation-supported Bible distribution organization, though with a much broader ecumenical scope and global scale.

Regional players

• Boekencentrum Uitgevers: Leading Dutch Christian publisher of theological works, hymn books, and study materials. Comparable as a Dutch Reformed publishing house, though broader in scope beyond Bibles.
• Bijbelgenootschap van Zuid-Afrika (Bible Society of South Africa): South African Bible Society that works with the 1933/1953 Afrikaans translation. Partner-adjacent to GBS via the Afrikaans annotation project with Stigting Reformatoriese Getuienis and serves the same Afrikaans Reformed audience.

Emerging players

• YouVersion (Life.Church): Free global Bible app with thousands of languages and versions. Direct comparator to GBS Bijbel App on mobile Bible access, though with vastly greater scale, language coverage, and secular/translation breadth.

Direct peers

• Stichting De Chinese Vertalers: Dutch foundation publishing Chinese-language Reformed theological works, including the Chinese Psalter distributed through GBS's webshop. Closely aligned mission and content overlap with GBS in the Chinese-language segment.
• Trinitarian Bible Society: UK-based Bible publisher with the same formal-equivalence, Textus Receptus translation philosophy. GBS's primary co-development partner on the Chinese, Spanish Reina-Valera, and Hebrew Delitzsch translations, and the most directly comparable organization in mission and product.
• Stichting Het Boek: Dutch foundation affiliated with the NBG focused on Bible distribution and accessibility, including for visually impaired readers. Directly comparable mission-driven, Dutch Bible-distribution model.
• Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap: The Dutch Bible Society, publisher of the NBG and NBV translations for the broader Dutch market. Most direct domestic competitor and peer in Dutch-language Bible publishing, with a much larger scale and ecumenical reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gereformeerde-bijbelstichting

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Gereformeerde Bijbelstichting