One Million Bibles Initiative: Global South

Transmitting the Treasure of God’s Word

This year marks 500 years since William Tyndale risked, and ultimately lost, his life to translate the New Testament into English. Concurrently, Crossway celebrates 25 years since the publication of the English Standard Version. Although these incredible treasures have blessed generations and multitudes with access to God’s Word, millions today still lack their own copy of the Bible.

William Tyndale’s conviction that ordinary people should be able to read the Word of God for themselves continues to drive us to seek ways to honor that commitment. Over the years, Crossway has worked to narrow the gap of Bible scarcity by distributing free Bibles to people in need throughout the world. By the grace of God and generous donations toward our previous and current one million Bibles initiatives, over 1,750,000 Bibles have been funded and have made their way into the hands of those who now are able to see firsthand the wondrous beauty of the gospel in the Scriptures. We have been blessed to witness the impact these longed-for Bibles have had on numerous communities across the Global South.

The Need and the Impact

This year we had the privilege to visit and talk to pastors and church leaders across Nigeria who have received Bibles and resources for their congregations. Christianity continues to flourish across the Global South. However, access to personal Bibles remains a great need across the region. In places like Nigeria, although Bibles exist, they are often destroyed by radical groups and, if available, are not financially attainable for the majority of people. Reverend Fidelis Gambo, who serves at The Police Protestant Church in Jos, Nigeria, explains:

Getting a Bible is just so very difficult because we have the rate of hunger, people find it difficult to even eat. So when you’re asking people to get a Bible, they will tell you, “Where do we get the money?” . . . They can’t afford to buy this in the market because of how expensive it is. So a common man can’t even access a Bible here in the country because of how expensive it is. And even if you will have access to it, getting them in the market is also very difficult. The Muslims we have, they don’t even want to hear the name Bible. So if they have access, they block the Bible from coming. So getting Bibles in Nigeria is very, very hard, not that easy. . . . Let me say, 60% of Nigerian Christians cannot afford the Bible.

Believers need the life-transforming treasure of God’s Word to help them move from salvation into continual growth in Christ. Retired pastor Reverend Bitrus Choji says, “The church in Nigeria has not moved beyond dying and rising with Christ for salvation. After salvation, what next? But it is in the biblical pages . . . that we understand after salvation, we have to continue to conform to the image of Christ.”

The gift of God’s Word is not simply another book among many. To tangibly hold the Word of God in one’s hands, believers are better able to behold the marvel of who God is for his people. Reverend Ayuba Daro of ECWA Church Kwali describes the excitement of his congregation as they received Bibles. He says, “You could see from their faces, they’re excited. . . . Some of them, knowing that they’re receiving the Scripture, which is . . . the Word of God, . . . [are reassured] that God cares for them. God sees their needs and God is really working to meet their needs. It’s a big treasure. For some of them, it’s better to lose money than to lose their copy of the Bible.”

Respond to the Need

In November of 2025, Crossway launched our One Million Bibles Initiative: Global South to help supply more Bibles to people around the world who remain desperate for a copy of God’s Word. By December 31, 2026, we are aiming to complete this initiative by raising an additional $875,000. Finishing this initiative is within reach due to the generosity of many donors, one of whom has pledged a dollar-for-dollar matching gift, up to $400,000. With this match, a $35 gift will provide 20 Bibles.

Would you prayerfully join us in our continued effort to place one million Bibles into the hands of those across the Global South who do not yet have access to one?

“And we treasure what you give to us because this thing you just give to us is more than life, sir. It’s more than life.” – Reverend Fidelis Gambo