Emergency support to people and partners in Canada and internationally
We all suffered pandemic pain. But CBS supporters looked past their own circumstances and continued to support people who needed to hear God speak in 2020. That generosity allowed CBS to support a wide variety of ministries and people in unusual ways in 2020.
Offering the hope of Christ
During this crisis, many Canadians felt frightened and alone. CBS has focused on giving hope and comfort through God’s Word by:
- Providing Scriptures to first responders, healthcare workers, staff and residents of long-term care homes, guests at homeless shelters, and others.
- Expanding our online Scripture resources, including Words of Comfort and the Psalms video series to help people overcome the challenges of social distancing, quarantine, and self-isolation.
- Providing audio Scriptures to people in long-term care.
- Launching intensive Bible-based Trauma Healing training across.
Showing up for Church Pastors and Priests
CBS delivered Solidarity and Goodwill Packages to more than 1,200 pastors, priests, and other CBS partners across the country. Included in the English package was: a copy of the book Survival Guide for the Soul: How to Flourish Spiritually in a World that Pressures Us to Achieve by Ken Shigematsu.
Supporting our international family
During the pandemic, the United Bible Societies identified 35 countries in which Bible Society work might disappear if no help was made available. CBS joined in the effort to fund emergency support for Bible work around the world.
“When news of the Fund came it renewed my strength and that of the team,” wrote Mayra Ugalde, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Costa Rica, one of the first Bible Societies to receive help. Thanks to the support, Mayra and her team have been able to continue running their ministry projects and exploring new opportunities online. Videos from a social media campaign during lockdown attracted thousands of views, an exciting result for the team. “In the midst of so much uncertainty, the cause of the Bible will continue,” said Mayra.
Lifting up healthcare workers
Many digital copies of Words of Comfort were and continue to be distributed to healthcare workers across the country and internationally. They were also made available on the USA website Christian Connections for International Health.
Help for Canadian partners to reach out to people in need
CBS partnered with faith-based organizations across Canada to help people in need, such as those affected by homelessness, families in poverty-stricken situations, and men and women in need of addiction recovery support. During the pandemic we provided small one-time cash grants and Scripture-based resources to these agencies to help meet spiritual and other necessities, such as food and shelter during these difficult times.
$46K+
in cash grants issued
20+
faith-based organizations helped
10,669
Scripture resources distributed to Christian agencies
“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the most vulnerable people hard, and the overdose crisis continues on. The Bibles and Scripture resources provided by CBS, and made available by Mission Possible, will enhance the comprehensive spiritual care available to the whole person.”
– Matt Smedley, CEO Mission Possible
“News of the Bibles we were handing out – provided to us by CBS – went viral in the community. And because of the high demand coming from people asking for Bibles, we had to designate a specific day and time for Bible distribution to the public.”
– Stacy Otting, Open Arms Mission
