Ministry Aims to Raise Funds for Bible Distribution in Eastern Europe
HURST, Texas, Aug. 29, 2023 — As EEM (Eastern European Mission) builds on its more than 62 year history supplying free Bibles in former communist nations and beyond, the ministry announced an audacious Fall fundraising campaign goal, based on the theme “Hope.” The cost to deliver 800,000 Bibles and other biblical materials in the region in the next year will be four million dollars, but EEM leadership agree the value of sharing the hope of the Gospel with 800,000 new souls is priceless.
“I love the adage that without food, man can live for a month, without water he can live for a day, without air he can live for a minute, but without hope he can’t live for a second,” said EEM President, Bob Burckle. “We have seen this borne out in Ukraine, especially, where there is so much fear and discouragement, but the hope of Christ continues to fortify those who have lost everything and face death daily.”
In addition to ever-increasing requests for Ukrainian language Bibles, growing numbers continue to come in from throughout the rest of the region. Altogether, the new goal will provide Bibles in 19 different languages to people living in 24 different countries. Many of these will be going to families and individuals who have never had a Bible in their homes – going back generations as these nations lived under communism – and have never even seen one in their own language.
"A key focus of the 12 young couples who founded EEM by smuggling Bibles under the Iron Curtain back in 1961 was that everyone who wanted one could have a Bible that they could read and understand in their heart language,” said EEM Vice President, Dirk Smith. “Otherwise, what would be the point? Our mission is not just to see books delivered, but to see the Gospel of hope permeate people’s hearts and minds so that they become true followers of Jesus and continue to spread his Word throughout the nations. We are truly seeing a move of God in Eastern Europe and couldn’t be more excited for the souls coming to Christ daily.”
EEM’s Fall campaign previously was themed “Million Dollar Sunday,” as when it launched, one million dollars was an average goal. In recent years, with both costs and requests for Bibles skyrocketing, the “MDS” language no longer fits the need, so the ministry has transitioned its theme to “Hope” as the common idea that continues to surface after hearing how the Bible brings hope to those who receive it.
“It seems every day we hear new stories from our in-country staff or ministry partners on the ground about people who get Bibles from us and whose lives are transformed as they ‘get’ the meaning of God’s love and forgiveness for them,” Burckle added. “Not only do they receive the hope of eternity, but it inspires us with the hope that we will see everyone in Eastern Europe and beyond reached with the Gospel of Christ.”
The campaign launches Sept. 1 and runs through year’s end. To learn more about EEM’s annual Fall fundraising campaign and make a donation, visit https://www.eem.org/hope.
About Eastern European Mission
Eastern European Mission (EEM) was established in 1961 to provide Bibles and Bible-based materials throughout the former communist bloc countries in Eastern Europe. Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments as well as Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and coloring books, distributing them through a vast network of partner churches and organizations which last year reached 36 countries in 26 different languages.
# # #
Media Contact:
A. Larry Ross Communications
Melany Ethridge, 214-912-8934
melany@alarryross.com