To commemorate its 200 ^th anniversary, American Bible Society hosted a celebration at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the evening of Thursday, May 12. Attended by global Bible Society partners, staff, and faithful financial partners this Bicentennial Gala celebrated two centuries of God’s faithfulness and cast vision for American Bible Society’s future ministry goals.

“We’re not here to celebrate anything we’ve done, but rather something that God has done,” said President & CEO of American Bible Society Roy Peterson.

The program highlighted and gave thanks for key figures and moments throughout the organization’s history. “One of my greatest inspirations has been the first president of American Bible Society…Elias Boudinot,” said Peterson, reaffirming Boudinot’s founding vision for American Bible Society: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

To see that prophetic vision from Habakkuk 2:14 fulfilled, American Bible Society is linking arms with domestic partners and global translation agencies as it begins a third century of Bible ministry. Peterson laid out three strategic pillars that will guide the efforts of American Bible Society during the next decade:

1. Transforming America

“We must seize this moment to help America reconnect with its biblical heritage while boldly charting a new future of Bible influence and hope,” said Peterson. American Bible Society aims to see 100 million Americans actively engaging with God’s Word by the year 2025.

2. Trauma Healing

Peterson also championed American Bible Society’s worldwide trauma healing ministry. “We are focusing the message of the Gospel for the millions of people in our world who have been traumatized by war, genocide and terror,” said Peterson. “God’s Word must be opened for the wounded heart.”

3. Translation

And regarding Bible translation efforts, Peterson said, “We see a first-in-human-history opportunity…to translate Scriptures for the more than 1,700 languages of Bible-less people.” Within a larger translation movement called illumiNations, American Bible Society is seeking to open 100 percent of the world’s living languages to Scripture engagement by the year 2025.

And as American Bible Society works towards these ambitious goals in a new century, Peterson says that nothing is possible without the entire Body of Christ, “We must work together…Let us commit ourselves anew to do our part.”