The stories were dramatic. A former federal prisoner stood before about 600 people and told how the last thing he stole was a Gideon Bible from the library in the chaplain’s office.
Alone in his cell, he read that New Testament over and over again. Each time the message of God’s love penetrated deeper and deeper into his being. Finally, the prisoner fell on his knees and gave his heart to Jesus Christ. Now he is a full-time evangelist telling others how Jesus can change a life.
“If God can save a man like me,” he declared, “He can save you without breaking a sweat.”
A member of the Gideons Auxiliary, the spousal organization that supports Gideons through prayer and other activities, shared a letter from a nurse. A special medical New Testament had been left in the doctor’s office where she worked. For more than a year, the New Testament lay in a corner unused, often under a pile of papers. But the day came when the young woman’s life fractured. She needed help.
The nurse wrote she was “drawn” to that New Testament. She picked it up and read it. Slowly, the words of Scripture began to generate a response within her. She gave her heart to Jesus Christ and found meaning and direction for her life.
The occasion for the stories was a Birmingham-area camp meeting of Gideons International. Pastors and their spouses were guests of Gideons for an annual meeting designed to express appreciation for support of the Gideon ministry and to encourage additional support.
Many churches, including Baptists, have Gideon members. Gideons International is the oldest Christian business and professional men’s organization in the United States. It was founded in Wisconsin in 1899 by three men — Samuel E. Hill, the first president; John H. Nicholson, the first secretary/treasurer; and William Knight, the first vice president.
Today the Gideon movement has more than 130,000 members in more than 170 countries worldwide. Its mission has grown more dramatically than its membership.
The first undertaking of Gideons was to place Bibles at the registration desks of hotels where the Bibles could be borrowed by travelers. In 1908 at a convention in Louisville, Ky., Gideons adopted the goal of placing a Bible in every hotel room in America. Today, Gideons distribute more than 45 million Bibles annually. That is about one million Bibles or New Testaments every eight days.
Distribution takes place worldwide. A recent distribution blitz included Mozambique where more than a half million Bibles were placed in the hands of individuals; Armenia where hospitals and medical workers received Bibles and New Testaments; Malawi where high school students seeking their own copy of the Bible was greater than the number of Bibles the Gideons had for distribution and Peru where prisoners received copies of New Testaments. On and on the list goes. In every part of the world where possible, Gideons are present distributing copies of God’s Word.
In the United States, Gideons are best known for the Bibles found in practically every hotel and motel room in the nation. Gideon Bibles can be found in most medical offices. They are available for school children in the fifth grade and above. Bibles and New Testaments are available for prisons, hospitals, colleges and the military.
Few are those who have not been impacted by a Gideon Bible. One of our family’s prize possessions is the New Testament my wife’s grandfather received from the Gideons as he shipped out to France in World War I. And while I carry a New Testament in my suit coat pocket, numerous are the times I have used Gideon Bibles placed in rooms where I have stayed.
From its first days, Gideons have seen themselves as missionaries. By placing Bibles, Gideons spread the Word of God and offer people the opportunity of finding Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Gideons International sees itself as an arm of the church in spreading the gospel even though it has always been an interdenominational Christian organization.
The Gideons’ first Scripture blitz was financed by local churches in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1908. Since that time, Gideons have asked local churches to help finance the ministry of Scripture distribution. Of course, Gideons make generous and sacrificial gifts themselves to their ministry. They also present Gideon work to churches and ask for freewill offerings.
Alabama Baptists have been supportive of Gideon work. Most Baptist churches are open to Gideon speakers at least once a year. The lay speakers share helpful information and inspiration. The offering time provides church members opportunity to participate in Scripture distribution in a specific way.
In our judgment, Gideons do a worthy work in the Lord’s kingdom. That is why we have always been supportive of Gideons International. It was a privilege to be a part of their annual camp meeting. We pray Gideons will continue to find an openness and a responsiveness for their work among Alabama Baptists.
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