2002 Scripture distribution exceeds previous year

READING, England — The United Bible Societies reported that more than 578 million Bibles and portions of Scripture were distributed in 2002. Bible societies around the globe aided in the effort to disburse copies of God’s Word to those who need it. The total number of distributed Scriptures exceeds the 2001 total by 22.5 million. Statisticians David B. Barrett and Todd M. Johnson said the number of copies breaks down to 62 million full Bibles and 132 million New Testaments. They estimated that the number of Scripture portions handed out by Bible societies and other unrecorded efforts is more than four billion in one year alone.