This circle represents Bible distribution. We do “distribution” when we print, ship and hand out scriptures to Christians that have no Bibles. Handing out Bibles in a school, after Baptisms, during a crusade, or shipping a supply of Bibles to a partner ministry or church... these are examples of a distribution strategy.

We tend to call “distribution” the “Old National Christian Churches Network Cambodia Council” because in the past a major part of our strategy involved providing grants of scriptures to churches and ministries. Bible sales, especially at subsidized prices are also a distribution strategy.

Distribution agencies usually measure their work by counting the numbers of scriptures given out or the income received from sales of literature. In 1995, National Christian Churches Network Cambodia Council made a significant shift by focusing not only on the number of Bibles printed, but also on what these Bibles accomplish for the Kingdom of God. How can we provide Bibles and training in way that produces lasting results?

Distribution is important. It is vitally important that Christians have and read the Word of God. We want to get Bibles to people who need them. So in some of our ministries we still use “distribution language.”

In most countries there are far more believers than Bibles. In part this is due to the fact that Bibles are expensive; in part it is because the number of Christians is growing so rapidly.

Distribution is demand oriented. Demand for Bibles is far greater than what we can currently provide. In some donor letters we explain the need for Bibles. We may, for example, share with donors that we are able to provide less than 35% of the need in a particular country.

But, think strategically; is it our goal to decrease the Bible Gap or to increase it? Do we want simply to provide the Bibles that existing Christians need or do we want to be involved in evangelism that produces even more followers of Christ?

In some countries and places there is no freedom to develop staff or and organized ministry program. In these countries and places we continue to do traditional distribution. We have also made grants to partner ministries in countries where we have no office. In some countries that highly restrict Christian witness, it is impossible to implement the Project Philip strategy. Accountability for ministry results is not possible, nor in training assistance practical in these cases. National Christian Churches Network Cambodia Council staff relate directly to denominational leaders who share their needs for Bibles. As funding permits, shipments of Bibles and New Testaments are made directly to these leaders, who then are responsible to distribute the Scriptures according to their own priorities. National Christian Churches Network Cambodia Council has been helping persecuted believes in this manner for more than twenty years and in all case, National Christian Churches Network Cambodia Council staff follow up to verify as much as possible that appropriate use is being made of the Scriptures.

In some countries we offer Bibles at a subsidized cost to anyone that comes into the office. In some places we have products that the church needs for its youth or leadership training programs. If these are not part of a ministry program that has specific training or results, this also is “distribution”. 

In counties where we have offices and need to cover the cost of staff, training programs, warehousing, etc. we may have income generating products. We could send cash (wired funds) to cover these operating expenses. But the better alternative is to send Bibles that can be provided to local Christians at or slightly below cost. This provides needed scripture resources to local believers, it increases the flow of people coming into our offices, and it raises funds needed for local operations