Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind
Episode: Study Bibles for the World
Date: September 15, 2025
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode of Renewing Your Mind, hosted by Nathan W. Bingham with guests Chris Larson (President & CEO, Ligonier Ministries) and J.D. Bridges (VP of Global Outreach), explores Ligonier’s “Study Bibles for the World” campaign. Originally focused on Africa, this initiative now aims to equip pastors worldwide—many lacking theological training and resources—with the Reformation Study Bible. The discussion centers on the campaign’s origins, exponential growth, real-world impact, testimonies from global church leaders, and an expanded vision to address the theological needs of pastors in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Origin and Need for Study Bibles in Africa
- Theological Crisis and Outreach Need
- “The African church is the largest missionary sending church in the world… The prevalence of false teaching is a real problem… we want to be able to provide good theology for these churches so that the missionaries are taking the truth with them and not exporting error.”
— Chris Larson [00:00]
- “The African church is the largest missionary sending church in the world… The prevalence of false teaching is a real problem… we want to be able to provide good theology for these churches so that the missionaries are taking the truth with them and not exporting error.”
- Resource Scarcity
- Many in the global church, especially in Africa, lack trusted Bible study tools. Most pastors have no access to formal theological training and limited access to biblical resources.
— Nathan W. Bingham [00:35]
- Many in the global church, especially in Africa, lack trusted Bible study tools. Most pastors have no access to formal theological training and limited access to biblical resources.
The Reformation Study Bible Campaign: From Africa to the World
- Campaign Genesis
- Rosemary Jensen (Rafiki Foundation) catalyzed the effort by sourcing vast quantities of Bibles for pastors in Central and Eastern Africa. Inspired conversations with Ligonier led to an intentional partnership.
— Chris Larson [02:32]
- Rosemary Jensen (Rafiki Foundation) catalyzed the effort by sourcing vast quantities of Bibles for pastors in Central and Eastern Africa. Inspired conversations with Ligonier led to an intentional partnership.
- Initial and Expanded Goals
- Started with a hope of sending “3,000 study Bibles a year” ([04:12]), then increased as demand and donor support surged. Current tally: nearly 90,000 Bibles distributed, with a 2028 goal of 100,000 for Africa alone.
- Dr. R.C. Sproul’s Vision
- “We shouldn’t be talking about sending thousands of Bibles. We should be talking about tens of thousands of Bibles.”
— R.C. Sproul (audio clip) [05:36]
- “We shouldn’t be talking about sending thousands of Bibles. We should be talking about tens of thousands of Bibles.”
The Realities and Impact on the Ground
- Pastoral Need and Utility (Testimony from Rafiki Foundation)
- “In Africa you have one pastor for five to seven congregations… he may have a Good News Bible, might have a King James Bible, but he won’t have a study Bible. And he has no other resources. Online resources are great, but most rural pastors can’t get online.”
— Karen Elliott [06:52] - Pastors’ influence stretches beyond preaching—they provide counsel, community support, and practical help.
- “Don’t say all you can give us are Bibles. That’s the most precious gift you can give us in the midst of famine and persecution.”
— Nigerian church leader, relayed by Karen Elliott [08:44]
- “In Africa you have one pastor for five to seven congregations… he may have a Good News Bible, might have a King James Bible, but he won’t have a study Bible. And he has no other resources. Online resources are great, but most rural pastors can’t get online.”
- Persecution & Opportunity
- The “window of opportunity” in Africa is now, as mainline Western denominational support wanes and false teachings proliferate.
— Karen Elliott [09:48]
- The “window of opportunity” in Africa is now, as mainline Western denominational support wanes and false teachings proliferate.
- Staggering Scale
- Example: Anglican Church in Uganda with 4,000 ministers, 10,000 congregations, and 12 million members—underscoring the magnitude and urgency.
— Chris Larson & J.D. Bridges [11:00]
- Example: Anglican Church in Uganda with 4,000 ministers, 10,000 congregations, and 12 million members—underscoring the magnitude and urgency.
Financial and Logistical Challenges
- Cost Barrier
- “Depending on where you're at in Africa, a study Bible could represent as much as a month's salary. Imagine a pastor who might be getting paid in eggs or chickens…”
— J.D. Bridges [12:09]
- “Depending on where you're at in Africa, a study Bible could represent as much as a month's salary. Imagine a pastor who might be getting paid in eggs or chickens…”
- Last-Mile Delivery
- Logistical challenges mean Bibles get delivered by motorcycle, pack mule, even boat, deep into remote regions.
— J.D. Bridges [20:01]; Chris Larson [20:26]
- Logistical challenges mean Bibles get delivered by motorcycle, pack mule, even boat, deep into remote regions.
Expansion Beyond Africa
- Global Vision
- “95% of the world’s pastors have little to no theological education… We’re trying not just to solve an African problem, but a global problem.”
— J.D. Bridges [13:25]
- “95% of the world’s pastors have little to no theological education… We’re trying not just to solve an African problem, but a global problem.”
- New Goal
- “What if we could serve at least 10% of the global pastors in getting them a Reformation Study Bible in the next 10 years?” That’s 500,000 Bibles, at $25 per Bible.
— Chris Larson [14:55]
- “What if we could serve at least 10% of the global pastors in getting them a Reformation Study Bible in the next 10 years?” That’s 500,000 Bibles, at $25 per Bible.
Testimonies & Response
- Joyful Reception
- Nigerian pastors from 19 countries, waving Bibles and singing in Hausa with gratitude—a moving moment available as a video.
— Chris Larson [16:15]
- Nigerian pastors from 19 countries, waving Bibles and singing in Hausa with gratitude—a moving moment available as a video.
- Translation Expansion
- Bibles now available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Korean, with Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Bulgarian, and Polish in development. This opens doors in many new countries and cultures.
— J.D. Bridges [17:36]
- Bibles now available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Korean, with Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Bulgarian, and Polish in development. This opens doors in many new countries and cultures.
- Power of Partnerships
- Ligonier’s unique role is to resource “the supply line to the front lines of the Great Commission.”
— Chris Larson [18:47]
- Ligonier’s unique role is to resource “the supply line to the front lines of the Great Commission.”
Memorable Stories
- A Desperate Seeker
- “One woman came to us, an elderly woman… she said, ‘I have questions when I read my Bible. I don’t understand. I went to my pastor. He couldn’t explain to me. Please, could you give me one of these Bibles?’”
— Illumina Day [21:27]
- “One woman came to us, an elderly woman… she said, ‘I have questions when I read my Bible. I don’t understand. I went to my pastor. He couldn’t explain to me. Please, could you give me one of these Bibles?’”
- Connection Across Continents
- Testimony of a Nigerian pastor in South Korea receiving Bibles through new partnerships, showing global impact.
— J.D. Bridges [22:19]
- Testimony of a Nigerian pastor in South Korea receiving Bibles through new partnerships, showing global impact.
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “The African church is the largest missionary sending church in the world…We want to be able to provide good theology for these churches so that missionaries are taking the truth with them and not exporting error.”
— Chris Larson [00:00] - “We shouldn’t be talking about sending thousands of Bibles. We should be talking about tens of thousands.”
— Dr. R.C. Sproul [05:36] - “Imagine a pastor with five to seven congregations preaching the truth instead of what is false… The Bible is not just a great theological help, but it is a practical help for these pastors.”
— Karen Elliott [06:52] - “Don’t say all you can give us are these Bibles. That’s the most precious gift you can give us in the midst of famine and persecution.”
— Nigerian pastor, via Karen Elliott [08:44] - “95% of the world’s pastors have little to no theological education, no formal theological education.”
— J.D. Bridges [13:25] - “What if we could serve at least 10% of the global pastors in getting them a Reformation Study Bible in the next 10 years?”
— Chris Larson [14:55] - “We want Ligonier to be a supply line to the front lines of the Great Commission.”
— Phrase attributed to J.D. Bridges [18:47] - “One woman… said, ‘I have questions when I read my Bible. I don’t understand. I went to my pastor. He couldn’t explain to me. Please, could you give me one of these Bibles?’ and that has really changed our life.”
— Illumina Day [21:27]
Important Segment Timestamps
- [00:00] Chris Larson: Stakes for African church, false theology
- [02:32] Chris Larson: Origin of the Africa campaign
- [04:12–04:35] J.D. Bridges: Early goals and rapid growth
- [05:36] Dr. R.C. Sproul (clip): Call for far greater outreach
- [06:52] Karen Elliott: Testimony on African pastoral needs
- [08:44] Karen Elliott: Value of Bibles in times of suffering
- [09:48] Karen Elliott: Strategic window of opportunity
- [10:41] Chris Larson: Scope of church in Africa (Uganda example)
- [12:09] J.D. Bridges: Financial and logistical challenges
- [13:25] J.D. Bridges: Need and opportunity globally
- [14:55] Chris Larson: New global goal—10% of all pastors worldwide
- [16:15] Chris Larson: Nigerian pastors’ gratitude—video referenced
- [17:36] J.D. Bridges: Language and translation expansion
- [18:47] Chris Larson: Behind the scenes—role of partnerships
- [20:01] J.D. Bridges: Distribution stories—bikes, boats, mules
- [21:27] Illumina Day: Testimony from Nigeria—hunger for truth
- [22:19] J.D. Bridges: Cross-continental impact—Nigeria to South Korea
Tone & Language
The conversational tone is warm, earnest, and frequently moves from informative to emotionally charged when narrating personal stories or highlighting the spiritual stakes. Speakers often express gratitude to donors/listeners, rallying support for the growing campaign while providing evidence of lives changed.
Conclusion
This episode conveys both the scale of need and the transformative impact of placing a sound, theological resource like the Reformation Study Bible in the hands of pastors across the globe. It draws listeners into the vision, showing that their involvement directly supports a movement spanning continents, languages, and generations of church leaders. The challenge is clear: as forces like false teaching expand and traditional denominational support recedes, equipping pastors and laypeople with truth is more urgent and achievable than ever before.