2025 Bible Coalition: Event Highlights
- mariannedavis0
- Dec 12, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Earlier this November, approximately 40 ministry leaders and researchers gathered at Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM) in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the 2025 Bible Coalition. This was not a typical conference—it was a working meeting rooted in Scripture and prayer, beginning each day with Bible Engagement practices drawn from James 1. The theme—“Measuring Our Way to 2033: Advancing Bible Engagement Together”—set the tone for two days of strategic discussion as we prepare for the 2000th anniversary of Jesus’s resurrection.
Why the Urgency?
By 2033, most Bible translation goals will be met, meaning Scripture will be accessible in nearly every language. But access alone does not guarantee transformation. Research presented at the gathering revealed a sobering reality: While 74% of Christians own a Bible, only 42% read it weekly (British and Foreign Bible Society, 2025). In some regions, awareness is even lower. For example, 56% of people in Asia have never heard of the Bible. Without intentional engagement, the global Church risks having millions of Bibles sitting unread.
The urgency is amplified by what’s coming: a global celebration of Jesus’ resurrection in 2033. This milestone will draw unprecedented attention—not only from believers but also from the unreached and spiritually curious. Ministries have a unique opportunity to connect people with God’s Word during this historic moment. But to seize it, we need shared strategies and metrics. Measuring in isolation will not prepare us for the scale of engagement this celebration will invite.
Plenary Highlights
Four plenary sessions provided a roadmap for addressing this challenge:
Digital Scale and Personalization (YouVersion) Kendra Golden shared that YouVersion’s apps have surpassed 1 billion installs, yet the focus is shifting from downloads to transformation. Their strategy includes personalization, community features, and initiatives like Global Bible Month to inspire daily habits.
Global Spiritual Landscape (BFBS) Joanna Heath presented findings from the Patmos Initiative, which surveyed over 91,000 people across 85 countries. Although 69% of people globally consider religion important, Bible engagement gaps persist. This data underscores the need for ministries to move beyond distribution toward meaningful interaction.
Fruitfulness Over Outputs (OneHope) Enid Almanzar emphasized measuring spiritual outcomes rather than simply counting materials. OneHope’s Outcome-Based Ministry model reflects this shift, reminding ministries and organizations that what they currently measure may not truly matter—and what truly matters often goes unmeasured.
The Collective Impact Model (Bob Creson) Bob Creson called for structured collaboration through Collective Impact, which depends on a common agenda and shared measurement systems. Donors and partners play a strategic role in driving accountability and sustainability.
Lightning Talk Insights
Seven lightning talks added practical strategies:
Shared Measurement in Action (ProgressBible): Demonstrated how shared platforms allow ministries to aggregate and act on data collectively.
Tracking Kingdom Activity (IMB): Reported over 1.4 million gospel conversations and 102,512 discipleship engagements in 30 months.
Bible Literacy and Engagement (ODBM): Introduced a cost-effective Bible literacy program—just $10 per learner over 40 weeks.
Digital Metrics (Pocket Testament League): Outlined tracking steps like “Chapters Read” and “Ready to Respond.”
Predictive Measures in Bible Engagement (CBE/ODBM): Findings showed lasting faith is strongly linked to personal Bible engagement and a personal decision to follow Jesus.
Gen Z and Motivation: Research revealed that young adults’ biggest obstacle is lack of motivation (55%), yet their deepest desire is to “know and hear God through it” (44%).
Quiet Revival Trends: Findings showed younger churchgoers are increasingly engaged, though many still struggle with understanding and application.
How It All Ties to the Theme
Every presentation reinforced the urgency of the coalition’s theme: measurement must match mission. Without shared systems, ministries risk duplicating efforts and missing opportunities for transformation. Moving from isolated data to integrated frameworks is the only way to accelerate impact toward 2033—and to be ready when the global spotlight turns to Jesus.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The discussions at the 2025 Bible Coalition revealed clear priorities for advancing Bible engagement:
Access Alone Is Not Enough. Making Scripture available does not guarantee transformation. Research shows that personal Bible engagement and spiritual disciplines—not distribution—are the strongest predictors of resilient faith.
Measurement Must Match Mission. Ministries need to track spiritual outcomes, not just output.
Collaboration Is Critical. Isolated strategies will not meet the global scale of engagement needed for 2033. Collective Impact models, shared platforms, and a common agenda is essential as organizations work together towards optimal Bible engagement and measurable spiritual growth.
Digital and Generational Engagement Are Priorities. Younger generations live in digital spaces and expect personalized, interactive experiences. While they desire to connect with God, many struggle with consistency. Digital platforms like YouVersion and ODBM can bridge this gap by delivering culturally relevant, personalized content that encourages daily Bible engagement.
Coordinate Strategies Across Ministries. Bible engagement intersects with literacy, translation, church planting, and theological training. As we look toward 2033, coordinated research efforts that include diverse voices and regional perspectives will ensure Bible engagement strategies resonate globally.
The 2025 Bible Coalition united researchers and ministry leaders around a shared mission. Through dedicated prayer, research, and collaboration, we can advance the global Bible engagement movement and fulfill the Great Commission together.
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