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Monday, November 9, 2026 Updated 9:18 PM Central Time 31 stories

Stories from United Bible Societies

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Good news

Complete Komba Bible Launched in Northern Ghana After 16-Year Project

United Bible Societies Ghana

The Bible Society of Ghana, in partnership with Lutheran Bible Translators and local groups, launched the complete Bible in the Komba language in North East Ghana. The event took place on November 22 at Gbintiri School Park, attended by over one thousand people, including regional minister Hon. Ibrahim Tia and pastor Apostle James Majam. The translation project, which began with the New Testament in 2005, aims to preserve the Komba language and culture. More than 22,000 copies have been distributed, with audio and digital versions also available to support the community's oral traditions and literacy efforts.

Illustrative photo: Punda, Fort Amsterdam, Protestantse Fortkerk, preekstoel - 20652125 - RCE
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Punda, Fort Amsterdam, Protestantse Fortkerk, preekstoel - 20652125 - RCE · Wal, H. van der / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Good news

Pope Leo XIV Receives Migration Bible in Rome

United Bible Societies Vatican City

On January 21, 2026, Pope Leo XIV received a copy of the Migration Bible during a general audience in Rome. Rev. Rhoïnde Doth presented the special edition on behalf of the Bible Society of the Netherlands and Flanders. The publication, available in English, includes Deuterocanonical books for Catholic readers and features portraits and reading plans. According to the outlet, the Bible aims to support migrants by connecting their experiences with biblical stories. It has already distributed 4,000 copies in the Gulf States. The project was initiated by Samuel Lee and includes contributions from various theologians.

Good news

Family Bible 100 Steps Near One Million Distribution Milestone

United Bible Societies

The Family Bible 100 Steps program, developed by the Bible Society of the Netherlands and Flanders, has distributed 850,000 copies across 22 languages as of 2025. The initiative aims to help families engage with Scripture through storytelling and interactive content. The one million distribution milestone is expected to be reached in 2026. The project began with a Spanish translation in Honduras in 2019 and now includes resources in languages such as Sinhala, Tamil, and Mandarin. The Bible Society celebrated the progress at its headquarters, highlighting the global collaboration among various Bible Societies to support daily biblical engagement in homes and churches.

Good news

Angola Bible Society Unveils Commemorative Bible for Independence Jubilee

United Bible Societies Angola

The Bible Society of Angola presented a special commemorative Bible to mark the nation's 50th independence anniversary and its own 60th anniversary. The event took place on November 8, 2025, at the 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda. More than 40,000 people attended the ecumenical thanksgiving service. Beatriz Hupa, the society's general secretary, handed copies to President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and Vice President Dr Ana Dias Lourenço. The society printed 12,000 Portuguese editions in Brazil to honor the milestone. The group states the Bible symbolizes hope and unity for the country's future governance.

Good news

Amity Foundation Celebrates 40 Years of Bible Printing in China

United Bible Societies China

A major Christian organization in China marked its 40th anniversary recently, gathering hundreds of attendees and international guests to celebrate its partnership with global Bible societies. Established decades ago, the printing facility has become a significant center for Bible production, having printed hundreds of millions of copies. Representatives from international church bodies and Bible societies attended the event to highlight the organization's broader impact on education, health, and religious services within the region, underscoring its long-standing role in supporting Christian communities despite the challenging environment for religious expression in the country.

Illustrative photo: a brick building with a steeple on top of it
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Poh Soo Donald Soh on Unsplash
Good news

Bible Society in Taiwan Marks 70th Anniversary with Thanksgiving Service

United Bible Societies Taiwan

The Bible Society in Taiwan held a 70th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on January 10 at Shilin Presbyterian Church in Taipei. General Secretary Rev. Shou-Hui Chung stated the event honors seven decades of Bible translation and distribution across various languages, including indigenous and Taiwanese dialects. The society plans three additional services in Hualien, Taichung, and Kaohsiung throughout 2026. Chung emphasized that the milestone reflects God’s faithfulness and reaffirms the organization's commitment to making Scripture accessible in new cultural contexts. The celebration acknowledges the contributions of past staff, scholars, and partner churches.

Good news

Israel Completes First Modern Hebrew Old Testament Translation

United Bible Societies Israel

The Bible Society in Israel has completed the first Modern Hebrew translation of the Old Testament, with an official celebration held on November 20, 2025. Victor Kalisher, the society's General Secretary, stated that the project aims to provide comfort and hope to citizens following two years of war. The Ministry of Education has also made Hebrew Scripture a core requirement in government schools, increasing demand for accessible resources. The society printed 10,000 copies and released a full audio version on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Digital outreach reaches tens of thousands weekly, offering new ways for diverse groups to engage with the text. (Source: United Bible Societies)

Good news

UBS Leader Promotes Justice and Tolerance at Uzbekistan Conference

United Bible Societies Uzbekistan

A senior leader of the United Bible Societies addressed a conference in a city in Uzbekistan. The event focused on interfaith harmony and tolerance among registered religious groups. The speaker urged delegates to adopt biblical principles of justice, mercy, and humility to foster social cohesion. He argued that true tolerance requires moral courage and empathy rather than mere indifference. The conference aligns with national development goals to strengthen interethnic relations. The leader also met with regional Bible Society leaders to discuss ongoing ministry projects and support for local Christian communities in Central Asia.

Good news

Afghan Bible Society in Diaspora Joins United Bible Societies

United Bible Societies Afghanistan

The United Bible Societies recently welcomed a diaspora-based Afghan Bible organization as a Local Ministry Partner. Led by its executive director and registered in a Western country, the group focuses on translating and distributing Scripture in Dari, Pashto, and Hazaragi. Board leadership emphasized that this partnership strengthens global efforts to provide the Bible to Afghans. The agreement supports ongoing translation projects and digital engagement, marking a significant step for Afghan Christians seeking access to their faith texts. This move follows strategic collaborations initiated in recent years to establish a dedicated ministry for the Afghan people, ensuring continued support for believers facing severe persecution in their homeland.

Good news

Bible Society of Ghana Launches First Full Dagaare Bible in Wa

United Bible Societies Ghana

The Bible Society of Ghana launched the first complete Bible in the Dagaare language on November 2 in Wa, located in the country's northwest region. This milestone follows an 18-year translation effort by the society's team. General Secretary Very Rev. Dr. John Kwesi Addo Jnr stated the text aims to strengthen faith and preserve Dagaare culture. Upper West Regional Minister Hon. Charles LWANGA Puozuing praised the project for helping protect the language from extinction among the more than one million Dagaaba people in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire. The launch marks a significant step for local Christian development and linguistic heritage.

Good news

Tokelau Celebrates First Complete Bible Translation in Native Language

United Bible Societies Tokelau

Tokelau marked the launch of its first complete Bible in the Tokelauan language on Fakaofo Atoll on October 27. The event coincided with Tokelau Language Week in New Zealand and concluded 26 years of collaborative work by local translators and Bible Society New Zealand. The project addressed the need for scripture in the community's heart language, as many Tokelauans in New Zealand were losing fluency in Samoan. Community leaders praised the translation as vital for preserving their culture and spiritual life. The achievement highlights the perseverance of the local church and international partners in making the full text accessible for the first time.

Good news

First Complete Braille Bible in Ghanaian Language Launched in Kumasi

United Bible Societies Ghana

The Bible Society of Ghana launched the first complete Braille Bible in any Ghanaian language, specifically Asante Twi, at Calvary Methodist Church in Kumasi on October 26. This historic release marks the second Braille Bible available in the country and coincides with the society's 60th anniversary. General Secretary Very Rev. John Kwesi Addo Jnr. stated the goal is to ensure accessibility for people with visual disabilities. The 82-volume set will be distributed free to schools and libraries nationwide. Additionally, the society plans a literacy program for Braille in local languages to further include the visually impaired community in reading Scripture.

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