Frequently Asked Questions about the Philadelphia Bible Society

 

 

 

What are your primary functions?

We desire to put portions of Scripture into the hands of every patient in hospitals and nursing facilities in the greater Philadelphia area. Since the average hospital patient stays five days or less, we try to visit each facility at least twice a month. We provide Scriptures to homeless and for street corner work done by church groups. We are now supplying New Testaments and Bibles for Bible study in local prisons, carried on by prison ministries.

 

Who does this work?

A group of more than 25 committed Christian volunteers from churches in the Greater Philadelphia Area faithfully do this work.

 

What type of facilities are now served?

There are more than 30 hospitals and nursing homes where our volunteers go room-to-room, offering books of the Bible. We also supply prison ministries, youth detention centers and rescue missions.

Occasionally we supply large city-wide Evangelistic campaigns.

 

What materials are used?

Complete books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Proverbs and Psalms. Versions include the King James, NIV, the Revised Standard and Contemporary English.

Complete Bibles and New Testaments are provided as appropriate.

Spanish and other languages are available.

 

We have four selections of Large Print materials, geared toward nursing home work.

 

How do the missionaries obtain their supplies?

When their monthly reports are sent to the office, they order the books needed, which are delivered to their homes. In some cases, the orders are sent to the hospital, where the missionaries have storage space.

 

Are the missionaries recognized by the institution?

Yes, in each case, the work has been approved. Some facilities include our workers in their volunteer program, in others, we report to Patient Relations, the Chaplain, or the front desk.

 

How does the Philadelphia Bible Society help the missionaries?

A new missionary is trained by another missionary who is familiar with the facility and the method of serving. After any necessary explanation, they read Scripture and pray together, and begin to give out the books. It is God's Word they are giving and He makes it all possible.

The missionaries may put their lunches and car or carfare expenses on the monthly report.

 

How long has this work been carried on?

Since 1838, we have been continuously distributing portions of the Bible to ships, missions, special needs, hospitals, nursing homes, the homeless and prisons in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

 

Who pays for the material?

Since the Philadelphia Bible Society was founded in 1838, and chartered in 1849, this wok has been supported by gifts from God's people who desire to see the Word of God put into people's hands on a regular basis.

 

How is the Society organized?

There is a Board of Managers, fourteen at present, which includes seven officers.

 

Is every hospital and facility in the Delaware Valley served?

No, our services have not reached a number of hospitals, many nursing homes, or church outreaches for streetwork, homeless people and prisons.

Some hospital chaplains accept a supply of books and Bibles to use on their fisits?

 

Why do you need more missionaries?

More missionaries will be the answer to our prayer for God to open these areas of need so we can supply Bible books to them.

The needs of the Greater Philadelphia Area continue to proliferate; with prisons opening, the need for Bibles, more halfway houses and new care facilities for medical and senior care.

 

How much time will this take?

Depending on the size of the hospital or nursing home, it will take from two to five hours each time. According to your schedule, you could serve your assigned facility weekdays, evenings, Saturdays or Sundays. We can also use people who have time to serve more than one facility.

How can I contact the bible society?

The Philadelphia Bible Society, Inc.
PO Box 35109
Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-2821