NETWORK OF BIBLICAL STORYTELLERS INTERNATIONAL

What NETWORK OF BIBLICAL STORYTELLERS INTERNATIONAL does

Network of Biblical Storytellers International (NBSI) is an ecumenical nonprofit organization founded in 1985 by Dr. Tom Boomershine and Adam Bartholomew at Union Theological Seminary in New York. The organization serves individual laity, clergy, educators, and professional storytellers who seek to engage with Scripture through embodied oral storytelling rather than reading. NBSI's core offerings include annual individual and senior/student memberships ($100/$65 per year), a three-day Annual Conference (member rate $545, non-member $645, early-bird $395), the Academy for Biblical Storytelling (ABS) certification program ($1,900 tuition for a one-year Basic track with optional Master certification), the Scholars Seminar for scholarly storytellers, monthly virtual workshops, and the Biblical Storytelling Library video resource. The organization operates affiliates in seven countries (Canada, India, South Korea, Cameroon, Rwanda, Indonesia, Australia).

NBSI does not develop proprietary technology products; it operates on standard web-based platforms including Squarespace for the website, Zoom for virtual workshops, Google Classroom for the Academy curriculum, and Tithe.ly for online donations. Day-to-day operations are managed by a single Office Manager (Dustin Wilsor) with all other governance and program leadership performed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The organization's primary distribution channels are its Squarespace-based e-commerce store, in-person conference, Zoom-based virtual workshops, and donations via Tithe.ly.

Revenue is generated across six streams: recurring membership dues, one-time conference registration, Academy tuition, transactional workshop fees, tax-deductible donations and grants, and Scholars Seminar participation fees. Membership tiers and conference pricing are fully publicly disclosed, with member discounts designed to drive conversion from one-time conference attendees to recurring members. The GTM motion is community-led and event-driven, anchored by the annual Festival Gathering as the flagship acquisition and retention event.

Name

NETWORK OF BIBLICAL STORYTELLERS INTERNATIONAL

Legal name

Network of Biblical Storytellers International

Website

https://nbsint.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Network of Biblical Storytellers International is a 40-year-old ecumenical nonprofit membership organization that teaches biblical oral storytelling to laity, clergy, educators, and professional storytellers across seven countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Certification & Credentialed Creator Programs (MPACALAI)

Keywords

• Biblical storytelling ministry
• Religious education services
• Scripture performance training
• Faith-based community programs
• Storytelling certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Shelton

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Individual annual membership at $100/year provides access to conference discounts, free virtual workshops, scholarly musings, guild participation, and member directory. Senior/student membership at $65/year. Lifetime membership option (no longer available for new purchase).
2. Annual Conference Registration: Three-day conference generates revenue from registration fees: $645 for non-members, $545 for members (standard rate). Early-bird registration available at $395. Conference includes workshops, epic telling, keynotes, worship, and fellowship.
3. Academy for Biblical Storytelling Tuition: Full tuition of $1,900 for the one-year certification program, with payment plans available ($600 due January 31, $700 due April 30, $600 due June 30). Application fee of $100 included in total. Extension fee of $100 per semester for students needing additional time.
4. Virtual Workshops and Online Learning: Members receive free access to ten virtual workshops annually. Non-members pay $25 per workshop. Additional paid content includes online Bible studies and conference recordings ($50).
5. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations support operating costs, conference scholarships, the Scholars Seminar, the Academy, and the International Fund. The Advancing the Mission Fund awards grants twice yearly to support member-led initiatives that encourage biblical storytelling.
6. Scholars Seminar Participation: Storyteller in Residence program at $195 covers meeting space and meals. Observer program at $90 for one-day attendance. Both programs provide access to scholarly community and professional development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

NBSI is a nonprofit ecumenical organization that teaches and promotes the practice of oral biblical storytelling through annual conferences, a two-year certification program (Academy for Biblical Storytelling), scholarly seminars, virtual workshops, and a network of regional Guilds. It sells individual memberships and serves clergy, laity, educators, and professional storytellers across multiple countries.

Product overview

NBSI operates as a membership-based ministry organization offering a unified portfolio of biblical storytelling resources and programs. The core offerings include the Annual Conference (3-day event with workshops, Epic Telling, and keynotes), individual and senior/student memberships granting access to virtual workshops, guilds, and Scholarly Musings. Certification is available through the Academy for Biblical Storytelling (ABS) with Basic and Master level tracks. The Scholars Seminar provides scholarly community and research collaboration. Additional products include the Biblical Storytelling Library (online video resource), conference recordings, online Bible studies, and the Advancing the Mission Fund grant program. The organization also offers published resources including The Story Journey book and Dinner Church Resource materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Academy for Biblical Storytelling: A certification program in biblical storytelling offering Basic Certification and Master Certification, established in 2006.
• Scholars Seminar
• Advancing the Mission Fund
• International Affiliates

Products and services

• Individual Annual Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years of continuous operation with thousands of members served
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NBS Canada (Network of Biblical Storytellers Canada)coreOthersActive affiliate association from various Canadian denominations with mission to engage with God's presence through biblical storytelling. Hosts annual online festival in January/February with team of storytellers from across Canada. Led by Vision Team Lead Heather Seargeant.
• NBS IndiacoreOthersAffiliate launched in January 2020 with Dr. Sandhya Ruban (current NBSI Board member and International Desk Chair) leading dozens of biblical storytelling events near Chennai on India's southwestern coast. Nine NBSI team members participate on Dr. Ruban's team.
• NBS Australia (Network of Biblical Storytellers Australia)coreOthersActive affiliate with past Chair Carole Danby (current NBSI Board Program Chair) based in Brisbane. Regular mission trips to India and Philippines. Pioneered first-ever Trans-Pacific workshop at Festival Gathering in 2017 via internet technology.
• Korean Biblical Storytelling OrganizationcoreOthersPartner organization with close ties to NBSI led by Rev. Yon Soo Kim with extensive curriculum. Sun Young (Janice) Kim, Academy graduate, translated 'Story Journey' into Korean and led three teams to NBSI Festival Gathering.
• NBS CamerooncoreOthersActive affiliate led by Rev. George Vimensi Minang traveling NW and SW regions teaching biblical storytelling in villages and seminary. Sponsors weekly radio program of multi-lingual biblical storytelling.
• NBS RwandacoreOthersAffiliate seeded by Korean missionary couple Mr. and Mrs. Ryu who studied biblical storytelling in Korea and attended NBSI Festival Gathering 2019. Established in Kigali in October 2022 sharing Gospel stories in Kinyarwanda and French.
• NBS IndonesiacoreOthersAffiliate seeded by South Korean affiliate. Janice Kim from Korea conducted workshops in Indonesia in January 2020 and August 2024, working with Iva Xavier at a seminary in Bandung.
• GoTell MinistriesminorOthersPartner organization referenced in resources section. Founder Dr. Tom Boomershine connected to GoTell. Provides resources and connections for biblical storytelling community.
• Story CrossingsminorOthersPartner organization with blog referenced in resources section. Provides content and cross-referral for biblical storytelling resources.
• Stories for the SojournminorOthersPartner blog hosted at Abilene Christian University (where VP Cliff Barbarick teaches). Provides scholarly perspectives on biblical storytelling.
• Narrative Lectionary (WorkingPreacher.org)minorOthersResource partner providing Narrative Lectionary materials through WorkingPreacher.org. Supports biblical storytelling aligned with lectionary calendar.
• Maritime Conference Center (MCC)coreOthersPrimary venue for NBSI Annual Conference. Located at 692 Maritime Blvd, Linthicum Heights, MD. Provides lodging at $175/night single occupancy, meals, parking, Wi-Fi, and BWI Airport/Amtrak shuttle service.
• Holiday Inn Express BWI Airport NorthminorOthersAlternative hotel option for conference attendees. Located at 1510 Aero Dr, Linthicum Heights, MD (2 blocks from MCC). Offers airport shuttle service.

Scale indicators4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Storytelling Network: The largest U.S. membership organization for storytellers, hosting an annual festival and providing resources. Overlaps with NBSI on the storytelling craft and conference model, but with a secular, broader scope. NBSI members often participate in NSN events.
• The Upper Room: A global Methodist devotional and Christian formation ministry offering workshops, retreats, and educational resources. Comparable in mission (Christian spiritual formation) and revenue model (donations, program fees, publications), though significantly larger.
• Society of Biblical Literature (SBL): Premier academic society for biblical scholarship, hosting annual conferences and publishing peer-reviewed research. NBSI's Scholars Seminar intersects with SBL's biblical performance criticism units, and both serve scholars and clergy engaged in biblical interpretation.

Emerging players

• Renovaré: Christian spiritual formation organization offering conferences, workshops, and certification programs (e.g., Spiritual Formation Institute). Comparable as a faith-based training-and-certification organization with workshops and conferences, though broader in scope than biblical storytelling.
• Academy of Preachers: Hosts the annual Festival of Preachers and provides training and certification for preaching professionals. Comparable in combining annual conferences, certification, and a community-of-practice model for faith-based proclamation and performance.

Direct peers

• Story Crossings: Partner organization referenced in NBSI's resources section, focused on biblical storytelling with cross-referral and shared content. Directly comparable mission and audience.
• GoTell Ministries: Founded by NBSI founder Dr. Tom Boomershine, GoTell Ministries is closely aligned with NBSI's mission of biblical storytelling. Both organizations train and equip storytellers in faith communities and share leadership and resource pipelines.
• Stories for the Sojourn: Partner blog hosted at Abilene Christian University (NBSI VP Cliff Barbarick's institution), providing scholarly perspectives on biblical storytelling. Directly comparable mission and audience as a content and research partner.

Regional players

• Lay Renewal Movement (Renewal Ministries): Faith-based lay ministry training organization offering workshops and conferences similar to NBSI's model. Comparable in targeting laity for ministry skill-building, though broader in scope beyond storytelling.

Others

• WorkingPreacher.org (Narrative Lectionary): Resource partner supporting preaching aligned with the Narrative Lectionary. Comparable in audience (clergy and preachers) and content (biblical interpretation for proclamation), with cross-referral traffic to NBSI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NBSInternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/nbsint
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/network-of-biblical-storytellers-international
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NBSInternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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