⭑ An Update on Kingsland’s 5511 Initiative
On February 19, 1973, a Christian teenager gave me a copy of the New Testament. I was a high school junior and had never read the Bible. Little did I realize that my friend’s simple act of kindness would change the course of my life.
That night, I began reading the New Testament. As I continued to read night after night, I sensed something happening in my heart. The Psalmist (119:130) declared that the entrance of God’s Word gives light. I found this to be true. The light of God’s Word helped me see what I otherwise couldn’t see. The more I read, the more convicted I became that something was missing in my life.
Within a few weeks, I heard a gospel presentation at a youth event at our high school football stadium. For the first time, I understood my sinful condition and my need for a Savior. I repented of my sins and placed my faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
One teenager. One paperback New Testament. One simple act of kindness. And a life forever changed.
More than fifty years later, I have never forgotten the significance of that gift. It is one reason I am so passionate about getting God’s Word into the hands of people who have never had the opportunity to read it.
Many of us own multiple Bibles and even have Scripture on our phones. We have unrestricted access to as many Bibles as we can afford. Yet a recently released report on global Bible access reveals that more than 500 million Christians worldwide face significant obstacles to obtaining a Bible. An estimated 125 million Christians want a Bible but do not have one.
Many people live in places where hostile governments and cultures keep them in darkness. They have never met a Christian, entered a church, or held a copy of the Bible. For others, poverty and geographic isolation keep Bibles out of reach.
And while digital technology has made Scripture more accessible than ever, millions of Christians live in places without reliable internet access. So, the need is enormous.
That is why I am especially excited about Kingsland’s 5511 Initiative, our effort to distribute 1,000,007 copies of Luke’s Gospel and complete Bibles through our missions partnerships around the world. I am delighted to report that, as of this writing, we’ve distributed 526,233 copies of God’s Word, which puts us at the halfway milestone toward our goal!
Our missions ministry works strategically through our global partners to distribute copies of God’s Word, primarily Luke’s Gospel, to people with little or no knowledge of Jesus.
We chose to focus primarily on distributing copies of Luke’s Gospel because it offers a compelling introduction to Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Because a single Gospel can be printed economically, we can distribute many more copies to people who might otherwise never have the opportunity to read the story of Jesus.
I often think about the teenager who gave me that paperback New Testament in our high school algebra class in 1973. I doubt my friend had any idea how God would use that simple gift.
But God did.
That little New Testament introduced me to Jesus and set my life on a completely different course.
And that’s what excites me most about the 5511 Initiative.
Somewhere in the world, someone may receive a copy of Luke’s Gospel and begin reading it just as I did more than fifty years ago. Perhaps that person will discover Jesus for the first time. Perhaps the words on those pages will awaken questions, stir conviction, and ultimately lead them to faith in Christ.
We may never know all the stories that will unfold because someone received a copy of God’s Word.
But we can be confident in God’s promise.
Our initiative takes its name from Isaiah 55:11, where God declares: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (NIV)
I am living proof of that promise.
Our goal is ambitious, but the need is great. While we celebrate the 526,233 copies already distributed, we press on toward our goal of 1,000,007.
Why the unusual number of 1,000,007?
Our senior pastor, Ryan Rush, has challenged our church family to work toward seeing 1,000,007 homes transformed through the power of the gospel. Our 5511 Initiative embraces that vision by seeking to place 1,000,007 copies of God’s Word into the hands of people around the world.
A goal of one million can seem daunting. But the extra seven reminds us that each of us can play a part. Each of us can take personal responsibility for placing just seven copies of Scripture into others’ hands.
I am grateful for our Kingsland church family, whose generosity makes it possible for us to underwrite the printing and distribution of God’s Word. I am also thankful for our missions partners, who help distribute copies of Scripture around the world. Together, we are helping make God’s Word accessible to people who might otherwise never have the opportunity to read it.
More than fifty years ago, someone cared enough about me to place a copy of God’s Word in my hands. I am so glad that teenager did.
Just imagine what God will do through the next copy of Scripture we place into someone’s hands.
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