Alliance Seeks to Help Churches Thrive through New, Innovative Biblical Resources
Contact: Lynn Waalkes, Biblica, 719-867-2626
ROSEVILLE, Calif., and COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- Biblica (formerly International Bible Society) and Thriving Churches International (TCI) today announced a ministry partnership to develop, publish, and apply innovative Bible resources and programs designed to help churches worldwide to flourish.
TCI is a ministry that seeks to help churches of any size to thrive in three main areas: local and global outreach; spiritual growth within the congregation; and the development of leaders. TCI provides resources that connect "mentor" churches with affiliates using a network of pastoral staff members, lay church leaders, and others serving in ministry with coaching, conferences, consulting and printed materials.
The partnership, with Biblica as the exclusive publisher for TCI books and resources, will help to increase the effectiveness of various ministries with renewed and innovative Bible engagement initiatives.
"Deep biblical engagement is foundational to the sustained health of churches around the world," said Dr. John Jackson, executive director of TCI. "Biblica's heart for the Bible, in addition to their work with Bible translation and distribution, made them an ideal publishing and ministry partner. We believe this relationship will help cultivate a movement of empowered, energized, and thriving churches and ministries."
"We are thrilled to enter this ministry and publishing partnership with TCI," said Scott Bolinder, President, Global Publishing for Biblica. "We believe TCI is one of the most innovative and fresh expressions of churches helping other churches. We look forward to serving churches around the world with a growing portfolio of TCI biblical resources, TCI's unique programs, and Bible engagement programs."
As part of the partnership, Biblica will publish up to 10 TCI/Biblica co-branded resources per year beginning early next year. In addition to publishing, Biblica will help promote TCI and its mission to its broad church constituency and work closely with TCI in the development and use of innovative Bible engagement programs.
One unique program is being unveiled this week at the Thrive 2010 conference, where churches will be able to sign up to "beta test" a 40-day community experience. Churches will read through the entire New Testament using Biblica's The Books of the Bible proprietary text that eliminates chapters and verses to create a fresh reading experience. Then small groups will gather weekly to study and discuss that week's reading.
Thrive -- a key ministry of TCI -- is an annual conference where approximately 3,000 pastors and church leaders gather for training, replenishment and encouragement. Thrive 2010 is held at Bayside Church in Roseville, California, from April 28 to May 1, 2010.
About TCI
TCI is a relational resource network seeking to link hub churches around the world as "islands of health" to serve and support church transformation around the world through conferences, consulting, coaching, and resources. For further information, please visit www.thrivingchurches.com.
About Biblica (formerly International Bible Society)
Celebrating more than 200 years in ministry, Biblica provides God's Word to people through translation, publishing, and Bible engagement. Biblica's ministry extends worldwide, with outreach in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and North America. Biblica has translated the Bible into more than 100 languages and is the translation sponsor and ministry publisher of the New International Version® (NIV) of the Bible, the most widely read and trusted contemporary English translation. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.Biblica.com.
