A Simple but Incredible Way to Reach Your Community and Grow

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We tried something seemingly non-spectacular at our church.

We gave each of our members attending a loaf of bread and asked them to give the bread to someone in their neighborhood or community.

I was blown away with the responses, both from the members and the recipients of the bread. Those who received the bread were incredibly grateful; many came to our church the next Sunday. And our members were very encouraged by the responses. It helped them to see the fields are truly ready for a harvest.

So, I began to think. Could I leverage my position at LifeWay to help thousands of churches do the same? The answer came back as a resounding “yes”! Allow me to share with you my thoughts.

  • I have authorized LifeWay to give away thousands, even tens of thousands, of Bibles to members of churches. We will be giving away the Bread of Life instead of the bread in loaves.
  • Those churches need to be within about 15 miles of a LifeWay store, so the members can go pick up a free Bible. Without the investment of the members taking the time to go to a store, their commitment level for this endeavor will be low.
  • Each church will have a designated week at a local LifeWay store for its members to get their free Bibles.
  • The members will then give the Bible away in their neighborhoods or community and invite the recipient to church.
  • We will provide specific instructions and promotional materials for this Bible outreach ministry for every church that participates. It will be undergirded by the power of prayer and activated by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Many churches have already signed on for this endeavor. One of the pastors asked me how LifeWay could afford to give away so many Bibles. I simply told him I was trusting God to provide. I have little doubt God will honor a ministry that gets His Word into the community and provides opportunities for powerful gospel conversations.

I have to say, this ministry is one of the most exciting endeavors I have led in the 13 years I’ve been at LifeWay. Even more, I am incredibly excited about how God will use this ministry to impact both churches and their communities.

Let’s get the Word into our communities. Let’s invite people to our churches. Let’s have gospel conversations. Let’s see what God Himself will do as we are truly Great Commission obedient.

Click here for the information we need to move forward with your church. If your church is not close enough to a LifeWay store, please hang in there as we try to figure out how to connect with you as well in the future.

This ministry is exciting. Incredibly exciting.

Thank you for joining thousands of churches as we reach millions! Let’s Share the Word. Together.

Posted on May 7, 2018


With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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34 Comments

  • Dawn Bradley says on

    Hi Thom
    I am not a pastor but i love God’s word.
    I am leading a small group looking into the bible every few weeks, it is going well.
    I am not a pastor but was a dedicated Jehovah’s witness for 30 years (before i realised it is a cult0
    However, God knows my heart and i love teaching.
    I do not want to offend God and i want to handle his word in the right way.
    Please do you have any advice for me.

    Many Thanks
    Dawn

  • DeWayne Wyatt says on

    A great idea! I am going to pursue this in my church–a gospel-focused church of less than 250 but making an impact in a rural community in south central Florida.

  • Dr. Ranier, love your heart for reaching the masses with the Word and trust the Lord will greatly multiply (and magnify) this outreach.
    I am an Associational Missionary for a very active group of 34 churches. Sadly, none are located close to a Lifeway Store. However, it has long been the practice of our A.M.’s to travel to Little Rock , AR to pick up orders for our churches if so desire. We consider this a ministry to the church and don’t mind at all.

    Don’t usually reply to many online posts but thought working with the SBC Associations on this endeavor might be one possible way to get more of these bibles in the hands of more of our church members.

    God bless you, this newest ministry, all that LifeWay does for the Kingdom

  • Debbie says on

    Mr. Rainer,
    Thank you for your leadership and this initiative to share the Word of God.

  • Jason Butte says on

    This is amazing! I am thankful to the Lord for you. What a powerful way to multiply ministry across the nation! I truly believe this will help the church I pastor and others in the journey to become increasingly outward focused. Thanks for listening to the Spirit of God and doing what you can to help the body of Christ! You are appreciated!

  • Ginger Bowman says on

    “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
    but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 ESV

    Love this idea! Let’s take Him at His word. I’m going to share with our college ministries. There is a harvest. Let’s pray for workers!

  • Bryan Morris says on

    Quick question. Our church is not within 15 minutes of a Lifeway store, but I would love to do this. Is it possible for me (the pastor) to go pick up the Bibles for our congregation?
    Thanks,
    Bryan

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