Buy a Bible - Help a Child

Exclusive Christian-store Bible project to raise funds to help children through World Vision

The CBA Channel Exclusive for the “Buy a Bible, Help a Child” promotion – from April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012 – means that sales of Thomas Nelson Bibles sold in U.S. Christian stores will help children through World Vision. The minimum donation will be $75,000. The funds provide children with vaccines, clean water, nutritious food, basic hygiene and care, and much more.

“This promotion is an extraordinary initiative that demonstrates Thomas Nelson’s heart for children and commitment to the poor,” said Marcia Kuszmaul, World Vision’s director of retail partnerships. “Through one simple act, they are enabling their customers to provide lifesaving care for thousands of children and families around the world.”

The promotion is part of Thomas Nelson’s “God’s Word in Action” campaign to inspire people to serve others in God’s name, whether through small or large actions. The campaign is based on Psalm 82:3: “Stand up for the poor and the orphan; advocate for the rights of the afflicted and those in need.” (The Voice).

“This campaign connects directly to the heart of Thomas Nelson’s mission in the world,” said Gary Davidson, Thomas Nelson SVP and Bible group publisher. “We believe we are here not just to sell Bibles, but to further God’s Word everywhere and to be an inspiration to others. Together, we can change the world.”

The joint Thomas Nelson-CBA program also aims to demonstrate and reinforce Christian stores’ ministry mission. Through a broad-reaching communications initiative, the two will work to inform Christians and others about children’s needs and how they can help.

“We are tremendously blessed to have another helping hand with our God’s Word in Action campaign,” said Mark Schoenwald, Thomas Nelson president and CEO. “Christian retailers embracing the ‘Buy a Bible, Help a Child’ promotion will build our support for World Vision, helping more and more children. Working together with CBA will also give us a chance to recognize the importance of local retailers in their communities as they spread God’s Word. We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to fulfill our ongoing mission of inspiring the world.”

A special Retailer’s Spotlight program will recognize and promote Christian stores that put God’s Word in Action in their local communities. Those spotlighted will be retail stores that act as hubs in their communities with outreach such as offering Bible study groups, helping with community ministry projects, or offering other programs that inspire Christians to serve others. Retailers are strongly encouraged to send stories and photos to Julie Belschner, Thomas Nelson Publicist, at jbelschner@ThomasNelson.com. One story will be selected monthly to be featured in CBA Retailers+Resources magazine. Selected retailers will receive a store banner and Thomas Nelson products for local promotional help.

“Our goal for the yearlong ‘Buy a Bible, Help a Child’ promotion is to donate $350,000 to World Vision amounts,” Davidson said. “That will be matched by World Vision grants to multiply the funds by more than four times. If the goal is reached, that translates to $1.4 million.”

Proceeds from all Thomas Nelson Bible sales will count toward the project, including Bibles published under the Tommy Nelson and Grupo Nelson imprints. For every Thomas Nelson Bible purchased at a U.S. Christian retail store from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012, Thomas Nelson will donate to World Vision 10 percent of its year-over-year net revenue growth achieved during that period.

Additional project support includes in-store merchandising materials and a consumer website, www.SeeGodsWordinAction.com. The consumer site offers information about the program plus resources and ideas for helping others, a place for sharing stories of compassion and giving, and other ways to be a part of changing the world.

Curtis Riskey, CBA executive director, said, “This kind of partnership between retailers and their trading partners makes a very powerful statement about the ministry role and purpose of Christian stores. We applaud Thomas Nelson for working closely with its Christian-retail partners to put God’s Word in action and help change the world through Christian stores.”

Visit www.WorldVision.org for more information on the global ministry.