June 19: She's My Sister Concert to Benefit Women in the Congo
Benefit Concert Featuring Artist Sidewalk Prophets Elevates Awareness of
Those Living in the "Rape Capital of the World"
Eight amateur cyclists pedaling from Florida to New York will take a break from their bikes to join Sidewalk Prophets at a benefit concert on June 19 in Cleveland, Tenn. The second annual She's My Sister Bike Tour and benefit concert are part of an effort to raise awareness of and support for the women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The benefit concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and will feature the Dove Award-winning band Sidewalk Prophets. The concert is free and open to the public.
Led by American Bible Society, She's My Sister is a collaborative effort of organizations from around the globe dedicated to providing Scripture-based trauma healing programs and practical aid to the women of the DRC and the surrounding region. It equips local churches to care for spiritual and emotional wounds caused by decades of brutal conflict, overcoming barriers of pain that separate people from God and one another, and restoring hope for the future.
"The Congo has been called the rape capital of the world," said cyclist Gordon Brown. "This concert is a great way to help raise awareness of the terror these women have survived and provide the Cleveland community with a way to help."
CONCERT DETAILS
What:
She's My Sister Benefit Concert in support of rape victims in the Congo
When:
Tuesday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where:
First Baptist Church
1275 Stuart Road
Cleveland, TN 37312
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
- Award-winning artists Sidewalk Prophets
- She's My Sister Bike Tour Cyclists
"In this region of the world, many devout Christian women mistakenly believe that to grieve over the brutality they've experienced is to question the sovereignty of God," said American Bible Society President Lamar Vest, former president of Cleveland’s Lee University. "She's My Sister demonstrates through Scripture that lament and grief are acceptable and healing responses to trauma."
For more information about the bike tour, visit mysistertour.org.
About American Bible Society:
Headquartered in Manhattan, the 196-year-old American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation's oldest nonprofit organizations, today’s American Bible Society provides interactive, high- and low-tech resources enabling first-time readers and seasoned theologians alike to engage with the best-selling book of all time.
Albany Man Is Biking from Florida to New York to Aid Rape Victims in Congo
She's My Sister Bike Tour Elevates Awareness of the War Against Women
Most Americans can't even imagine the kind of terror, violence and despair that have become a part of daily life for far too many in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). For decades, paramilitary groups led by Joseph Kony have terrorized the Great Lakes region of Africa - and the Congo in particular. Even as they murder the men of the region and abduct its children, the guerilla troops have devastated the women of the region by using rape as a weapon of war. And now a malaria outbreak has brought a new battle to the women and children in the DRC.
But the cries of the Congo have reached the ears of eight young adults here in America including Parks Pace from Albany. The group will be spending six weeks this summer biking 1,900 miles from Florida to New York as part of an effort to raise awareness of and support for the women of the DRC. The 18-year-old student attending Darton College this fall, along with seven other riders, is part of the second-annual She's My Sister Bike Tour. The tour stops in Albany, Ga., on Wednesday, June 13 and cyclists are speaking at First United Methodist Church (307 Flint Avenue, Albany, Ga., 31701) at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Led by American Bible Society, She's My Sister is a collaborative effort of organizations from around the globe dedicated to providing Scripture-based trauma healing programs and practical aid to the women of the DRC and the surrounding region. It equips local churches to care for spiritual and emotional wounds caused by decades of brutal conflict, overcoming barriers of pain that separate people from God and one another, and restoring hope for the future.
"The Congo has been called the rape capital of the world," said Parks Pace. "She's My Sister is helping the women of the region reclaim their lives, and I want to be a part of that. This trip is an opportunity for me to learn, grow, share and teach. I come from a family that has instilled in me a desire to help others, so I ride for the women of the Congo to share their stories."
Interview Opportunity:
Talk to Albany-native Parks Pace along the She's My Sister Bike Tour route, stopping in Albany on Wednesday, June 13.
To follow along with Pace on his bike journey, visit mysistertour.org.
About American Bible Society
Headquartered in Manhattan, the 196-year-old American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation's oldest nonprofit organizations, today's American Bible Society provides interactive, high- and low-tech resources enabling first-time readers and seasoned theologians alike to engage with the best- selling book of all time.
.BIBLE to Join .Com and .Org?
American Bible Society is Working to Offer a New Domain: .BIBLE
American Bible Society is working to make a new top-level domain available - .BIBLE. The .BIBLE domain will make millions of additional URLs available and the messages of the Bible even more accessible to people in a way that best fits their digital lives.
Working with the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), American Bible Society is aiming to secure the .BIBLE top-level domain (TLD). The addition of the .BIBLE TLD will accelerate global online Bible access and facilitate engagement in ways not previously possible.
"With staggering growth online, and fewer and fewer domain names available, American Bible Society is thrilled to explore offering web addresses in the .BIBLE domain," said Geof Morin, chief communications officer for American Bible Society. "We want to make it easier for more people to explore the messages of hope and encouragement found in the Bible."
For nearly two centuries, American Bible Society has led Bible distribution and innovation. Securing .BIBLE would be a continuation of that tradition. American Bible Society was the first to:
- Translate the Bible into "today's English" - producing the Good News Translation (1966), which sold more than 7.7 million copies in its first year of release
- Produce audio recordings of the Bible - by vinyl record (1957) - in 44 languages
- Release a Bible for the blind (1835)
- Provide military pocket Bibles to combat soldiers during the Civil War
- Distribute Bibles by placing them in hotels, serving the needs of weary travelers
American Bible Society has a global outreach to more than 200 countries and territories around the world including its membership within the United Bible Societies. YouVersion and LifeChurch.tv have joined with American Bible Society and United Bible Societies as early supporting partners.
"The United Bible Societies is excited about the global opportunities which the .BIBLE domain name offers," said Michael Perreau, general secretary of United Bible Societies. "We are delighted that churches around the world will be able to make use of this new way to communicate their ministry."
For more information and to receive update about the availability of URLs at .BIBLE, visit BibleTLD.org.
About American Bible Society:
Headquartered in Manhattan, the 196-year-old American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation's oldest nonprofit organizations, today's American Bible Society provides interactive, high- and low-tech resources enabling first-time readers and seasoned theologians alike to engage with the best-selling book of all time.
June 8: Cyclists Depart on 1,900-Mile Trek to Offer Hope for Thousands
She's My Sister Amateur Bike Tour Elevates Awareness of Those Living in the "Rape Capital of the World"
What motivates eight twenty- somethings to spend six weeks in the hot sun traveling more than 1,900 miles on a bicycle? Love.
On Friday morning, June 8, a group of eight college students and recent grads will set off from Daytona Beach, Fla., and pedal their way north to New York City. Along the way, they will stop at churches in 10 states to raise awareness of and support for the women of the Congo dealing with unimaginable circumstances.
"The Congo has been called the rape capital of the world," said cyclist Gordon Brown. "I committed to spend my summer helping to raise awareness of the terror these women have survived and provide others with a way to help. It is the least I can do." Brown, who participated in the inaugural She's My Sister bike tour last year, sees the ride as symbolic of the journey that the women of the Congo are on to overcome trauma.
Media Opportunities
- Interview bike riders
- Interview She's My Sister Project Director John Walter
- Track the progress of the She's My Sister Bike Tour at MySisterTour.org
The centerpiece of the She's My Sister initiative is Scripture-based trauma healing. "Scripture not only offers these Congolese women an encounter with God’s healing power, it is a source of desperately needed hope amid horrific circumstances," said Project Director John Walter.
About She's My Sister:
Led by American Bible Society, She's My Sister is a collaborative effort
of organizations from around the globe dedicated to providing
Scripture-based trauma healing programs and practical aid to the
women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the surrounding
region. It equips local churches to care for spiritual and emotional
wounds caused by decades of brutal conflict, overcoming barriers of
pain that separate people from God and one another, and restoring
hope for the future.
About American Bible Society:
Headquartered in Manhattan, the 196-year-old American Bible Society
exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and
format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience
its life-changing message. One of the nation’s oldest nonprofit
organizations, today’s American Bible Society provides interactive,
high- and low-tech resources enabling first-time readers and seasoned
theologians alike to engage with the best-selling book of all time.
For 100th Birthday, 60-Year Volunteer Receives Honor
American Bible Society Honors Nellie Bicksler for Six Decades of Service with a Day Named for Her
For more than 60 years, local resident Nellie Bicksler has dedicated much of her life to help men, women and children find joy through the hope found in the Bible. To celebrate her 100th birthday, American Bible Society will honor Bicksler for her outstanding service and dedication by designating April 29, 2012, as the Nellie Bicksler Day of Scripture Advocacy.
Bicksler is American Bible Society's oldest living volunteer. Each year she celebrates her birthday with a party for her neighbors and friends where she displays and promotes Bible materials and resources. This year's celebration will be held as follows:
Date:
Saturday, April 28
Location:
Agape Senior Rehabilitation Center
159 Sedgewood Drive Rock Hill, SC 29732
Time: 2:00 p.m.
"Nellie's passion and vision for Scripture is a true inspiration. Thinking about all she has seen and experienced over this last century, her life is a powerful testament to the next generation of Bible advocates. I am deeply grateful for her and her life of service on behalf of God's Word," said American Bible Society President Lamar Vest.
To further celebrate, American Bible Society will make a donation to Bicksler's local church, Tega Cay Baptist Church, to use as the church sees fit for Scripture advocacy and engagement.
American Bible Society first honored Bicksler for her service the year of her 97th birthday when she traveled to New York from her home in South Carolina to be honored for her lifetime of service promoting the Bible as the source of the answers to all of life's questions.
About American Bible Society:
Headquartered in Manhattan, the 196-year-old American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation's oldest nonprofit organizations, today's American Bible Society provides interactive, high- and low-tech resources enabling first-time readers and seasoned theologians alike to engage with the best- selling book of all time. For more information, visit AmericanBible.org.
Americans Evenly Split on Whether or not the Bible, Koran, and Book of Mormon Teach the Same Spiritual Truths
Nearly Half of Americans Say the Bible Should Have More Influence on Society
On the heels of Gallup’s assessment of the religiosity by state, American Bible Society is releasing in-depth findings from its State of the Bible survey, which details Americans’ beliefs about the Bible, its role in society, its presence in U.S. homes and more [Full findings available at TheStateoftheBible.com].
The annual State of the Bible 2012 survey, conducted by Barna Group on behalf of American Bible Society, found that:
- 47% of American adults believe the Bible has too little influence in society today; only 16% believe it has too much influence, with the remaining adults expressing neutral opinions
- 55% read the Bible to be closer to God, down 9% (from 64%) in 2011
- 79% believe they are knowledgeable about the Bible but 54% were unable to correctly identify the first five books of the Bible
- 46% believe the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon are different expressions of the same spiritual truths, 46% disagree
- On average, 85% of U.S. households own a Bible; the average number of Bibles per household is 4.3
- 36% of Americans read the Bible less than once a year or never while 33% read the Bible once a week or more
- Generational patterns emerged where younger adults are less likely to perceive the Bible as relevant and useful when compared with older adults.
- Sixty-two percent of adults age 66 and older believe the Bible contains everything a person needs to know about living a meaningful life, dropping to 54% among boomers (age 47 to 65), 44% among those age 28 to 46, and dropping even further to 34% for those age 18 to 27
- HIGHLIGHTS & FULL FINDINGS at TheStateoftheBible.com
“Findings from The State of the Bible 2012 survey show Americans desire to read the Bible more and turn to it for the answers to life questions but have an increasingly less reverent view of its contents,” said David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group.
Findings have remained stable since last year with a slight shift towards less religiosity particularly among young adults.
“In order to further our efforts to make the Bible accessible to people in a way that best fits their lives, it is imperative that we have a firm grasp on the views and actions of Americans around the Bible,” said Lamar Vest, president of American Bible Society. “While the message of the Bible is unchanging, how we deliver it is ever changing. The State of the Bible 2012 helps us to better understand how Americans are interacting with God’s Word.”
Media Resources:
- V-card to save link to The State of the Bible 2012 for quick/easy reference in the future
- Infographic of The State of the Bible 2012 at TheStateoftheBible.com
- Text of full findings of The State of the Bible 2012 at TheStateoftheBible.com
- Poll your audience
Interview Opportunities
- Lamar Vest, president of American Bible Society
- David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group
About American Bible Society:
Headquartered in Manhattan, the 196-year-old American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation’s oldest nonprofit organizations, today’s American Bible Society provides interactive, high- and low-tech resources enabling first-time readers and seasoned theologians alike to engage with the best-selling book of all time. For more information, visit AmericanBible.org.
Survey Methodology:
The State of the Bible 2012 report contains the findings from a nationwide study commissioned by American Bible Society and conducted by Barna Research (a division of the Barna Group). Two research methodologies were used for the study; one included 1,016 telephone interviews with adults in the continental U.S. while the second study consisted of 1,005 online surveys using a nationally representative panel.
The use of two methodologies provided a larger sample size for key questions and ensured even greater representation among all age groups. The telephone interviews were conducted Feb. 24 - March 5, 2012 and included U.S. adults 18 years of age or older. The online surveys were conducted between March 14 - 21, 2012.
For full survey information, please contact Amy Huffman or Katie Rouse at 770.813.0000.
New Survey Shows 7 Out of 10 Americans Celebrate Easter as a Religious Holiday
Amid headlines of adults ruining a children’s annual Easter egg hunt in Colorado Springs, Colo., American Bible Society is releasing survey findings that paint a much brighter picture of the holiday.
A recent survey by American Bible Society and The Barna Group reveals 69% of U.S. adults celebrate Easter as a religious holiday and not just an occasion for egg hunts, stuffed bunnies and candy. The survey also found:
§ 31% of Americans age 18 to 27 celebrate Easter as a non-religious holiday
§ 14% of Americans do not celebrate Easter
§ 78% of Americans age 66 and older celebrate Easter as a religious holiday versus 56% of Americans age 18 to 27
“The survey demonstrates that most Americans remember why Easter is deemed a holiday,” said American Bible Society President Lamar Vest. “At American Bible Society, we’re excited to provide Americans—and parents in particular—with quick and easy access to the Biblical resources they need to celebrate the real reason for Easter, Jesus’ resurrection.”
American Bible Society and Barna Group will release full results from The State of the Bible 2012 survey on Tuesday, April 17. This data was collected as a part of an annual survey designed to gauge how the Bible impacts Americans today. (View The State of the Bible 2011 results here.)
“The results of this survey should be encouraging for Christians,” said David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group. “Most Americans still observe Easter as a religious holiday even as candy consumption and egg hunts have often overshadowed its spiritual significance.”
About American Bible Society:
Headquartered in Manhattan, the 196-year-old American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation’s oldest nonprofit organizations, today’s American Bible Society provides interactive, high- and low-tech resources enabling first-time readers and seasoned theologians alike to engage with the best-selling book of all time. For more information, visit AmericanBible.org.
Survey Methodology:
The State of the Bible 2012 report contains the findings from a nationwide study commissioned by American Bible Society and conducted by Barna Research (a division of the Barna Group). Two research methodologies were used for the study; one included 1,016 telephone interviews with adults in the continental U.S. while the second study consisted of 1,005 online surveys using a nationally representative panel.
The use of two methodologies provided a larger sample size for key questions and ensured even greater representation among all age groups. The telephone interviews were conducted February 24 through March 5, 2012 and included U.S. adults 18 years of age or older. The online surveys were conducted between March 14 and March 21, 2012.
For full survey information, please contact Amy Huffman or Katie Rouse at 770.813.0000.
Donald Trump or God? America Votes on Whose Financial Advice is Better
New Survey Shows More Americans Willing to Take Financial Advice from Trump than the Bible
In a down economy, many Americans are searching for advice on how to manage their finances. But whose advice do they trust? A new study shows more Americans are willing to take advice from Donald Trump (50%), a man whose companies have filed for bankruptcy at least four times, than from the Bible (32%), the best-selling book of all time. Yet the Bible has more than 2,000 verses that relate to money and possessions.
The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of American Bible Society to coincide with the release of The Financial Stewardship Bible, also found that:
- 1 in 10 Americans age 18-34 would be most inclined to take financial advice from Kim Kardashian
- 86% of Americans do not follow what the Bible says about money management
- 1 in 4 Americans (24%) who do not follow what the Bible says about money think they would have more money if they followed its advice
- 94% of Americans are unable attribute a verse from Proverbs1 about the rewards of work to the Bible
"God's wisdom isn't just for life and death or life's moral conundrums," said Lamar Vest, president of American Bible Society. "The Bible offers sound advice about managing money, avoiding debt and prospering in difficult times."
The Bible's counsel about personal finance is certainly timely.
"When it comes to finances, the past few years have been challenging for many Americans," said Howard Dayton, founder and CEO of Compass - Finances God's Way. "The Financial Stewardship Bible is designed to provide practical tips for managing money using the age-old wisdom found in its pages."
Poll Your Audience
- Do you believe God's money advice is in your best interest, his best interest or both?
- Do you follow the Bible’s advice on money? If not, do you think you would have more, less or the same amount of money if you did follow its advice?
The Financial Stewardship Bible is a collaboration between American Bible Society and Compass - Finances God's Way. Not a new translation, The Financial Stewardship Bible is the first to highlight more than 2,000 verses about God's perspective on money. The integrated study guide focuses on topics including learning, spending, investing, debt, bankruptcy, cosigning, inheritance and saving for retirement. The Financial Stewardship Bible is available at Bibles.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other online retailers.
About Compass - Finances God's Way
Compass - Finances God's Way is a worldwide organization that teaches people of all ages how to handle money based on the principles of the Bible. Founded by Howard Dayton host of the nationally syndicated radio program MoneyWise and author of several books including Your Money: Frustration or Freedom, Your Money Counts and Your Money Map, Compass aims to equip people to improve their finances primarily through small group studies. Learn more by visiting Compass1.org.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of American Bible Society from February 16-20, 2012 among 2,262 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Amy Huffman or Christy Lynn Wilson (770.813.0000).
1Proverbs 16:26 (Contemporary English Version)
Join Cyclists on a Trek from Florida to NYC to Give a Voice to Those Living Through Horrors in the Congo
It is definitely not a typical summer vacation. Young adults have the opportunity to spend six weeks pedaling up the East Coast to raise awareness of the needs of women living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the rape capital of the world. Bikers will trek from Florida to New York City as a part of American Bible Society’s 2012 She's My Sister Bike Tour bringing Scripture-based trauma healing to rape victims in the Congo.
"It was a summer I'll never forget,"said lead rider of the 2011 trip Lewie Briggs. "I was honored to be a voice for women who have survived unimaginable horrors and help them find hope to reclaim their lives."
The centerpiece of She's My Sister is Scripture-based trauma healing. Executive Director John Walter noted, "She's My Sister programs in East Africa are demonstrating that an encounter with Scripture does bring healing to women in unspeakable pain. As hurting people see how the Bible names evil and models justice, they gain hope that moves them toward restoration for themselves and their societies.""A community without hope is as good as dead," added Lamar Vest,president of American Bible Society.
Interested in Joining the Cycling Team?
- Application Deadline: March 15
- Visit MySisterTour.org for more information and to apply.
- American Bible Society will provide resources to help riders
- Raise $4,250 for trip costs and $1,000 for a donation for She's My Sister.
Led by American Bible Society, She's My Sister is a collaborative effort of organizations from around the globe. She's My Sister provides Scripture-based trauma healing to repair spiritual andemotional wounds caused by decades of brutal conflict. Programs and practical aid to the women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the surrounding region offer the first step toward restoring hope and rebuilding societies. For decades, paramilitary groups in the Great Lakes region of Africa - the Congo in particular - have used rape as a weapon of war to terrorize women even as they murder the men of the region and abduct its children.
Brazilian Ministry is the Continuation of a Series of Multi-Language Ministries
With America continuing to grow more racially, ethnically and culturally diverse, the need for access to the Bible in a variety of languages continues to increase.
As part of its Uncover the Word™ initiative, a national effort to help non-English speaking people in the U.S. engage with the Bible in their heart language, American Bible Society has launched a Multi-Language Ministries Campaign. Brazilian Ministry is the second of these new multi-language ministries.
“At American Bible Society, we know that Bible engagement allows people to experience the life-changing message of God’s Word,” said the Reverend Emilio A. Reyes, vice president of American Bible Society’s Multi-Language Ministries. “With the launch of American Bible Society’s Brazilian Ministry, we can help thousands of Brazilian Portuguese-language readers better engage with the Bible.”
An estimated 1.28 million Brazilians currently reside in the U.S., many of whom attend the nation’s more than 1,400 Brazilian Portuguese-language churches. American Bible Society’s Brazilian Ministry hopes to meet the needs of Portuguese-language Churches in the U.S. by providing a scripture provision program featuring the best-selling Portuguese Bible resources. American Bible Society’s Brazilian Ministry program is expected to impact more than 100,000 people.
“Brazilians in America are sometimes overlooked as a distinct community”, said the Reverend Lécio Dornas, Manager of American Bible Society’s Brazilian Ministry. “I’m excited that we are able to bring these life-changing resources directly to this important community in a language and format that will speak directly to their hearts and minds.”
Who: American Bible Society, which for 195 years has pioneered ways to share God’s Word around the world where needed most.
What: 1) Launch of Brazilian Ministry using several Bible resources for Portuguese-language Churches and Christians, and other resources from American Bible Society such as Uncover the Word.
2) Bible Science Seminar
When: 1) January 6, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET.
2) January 7, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET.
Where: 1) American Bible Society headquarters at 1865 Broadway, New York, N.Y. (Jan. 6)
2) First Brazilian Baptist Church at 26-13 18th Street, Astoria, N.Y. (Jan. 7)