2010
“… all the nations realized this was done with the help of our God.”
—Nehemiah 6:15-16Annu
Al
Repo
Rt
PO Box 5037 | Burlington, ON | L7R 3Y8 | 1.800.363.9673 | www.bibleleague.ca
With thanks to God,we present this report of the work of
The Bible League of Canada.
our Mission statement
We are called by God
to provide Scriptures
and training worldwide,
so that people prepared
by the Holy Spirit
will be brought into
fellowship with Christ
and his Church.
2
Dear fellow servants, We have operated in Canada for more than 60 years, raising funds and providing materials and support for making God’s Word available throughout the world.
a few years ago marked a significant change for the organization. in 2007, the leadership team led the organization through a period of vision and transition as we began to engage ministry internationally with direction, control and supervision direct from the Canadian team.
Since that time, we have seen remarkable change both in effectiveness and growth. God continues to show his grace towards the ministry and our partners in Canada and across the world. For the first time in our history, we have received more than $10 million in one year for the work of God through The Bible League of Canada.
The next ten years hold equal or greater promise as we renew our vision and strategic plan for the future, depending on God’s help. We are working diligently on partnerships within our nation – partners who volunteer many hours or dollars or both. We guard the expenditure of those dollars, understanding it is God’s money and, at best, we are mere stewards. We are also working diligently on partnerships beyond our borders on five continents. it is there that we see, literally, hundreds of thousands of people come into relationship with Christ and his Church, and millions of Scriptures placed into the willing hands of participants in our programs.
While we are working hard, we cannot help but think of the understanding that Nehemiah had when he finished rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem – “all the nations realized this was done with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:15-16*)
What a joy it is to work with you, faithful partners and volunteers, and see everything that is done with the help
of our God!
May you be encouraged as you read this report, giving God great glory!
Sincerely,
John Hessels paul RichardsonChaiR OF The BOaRd OF diReCTORS PReSideNT
*All Scripture references in this report are taken from the NIV 3
We continue to partner with ministries already working in 25
countries across the globe. They plant churches, are engaged
in children’s ministry and hold adult literacy classes. intricately
and strategically interwoven in each of these projects is Scripture
placement and resource delivery.
it is our goal and practice to place Scriptures in support of these
programs. This works best when we work closely with a new or
existing local church. We do not distribute Bibles by the caseload.
instead, we place them in the hands of individuals. The exception
to this rule is in closed countries where the persecution of
Christians is likely. Because of secrecy and safety concerns we
often only know the distributor but not who the final recipient is.
Very often we hear that one Bible is shared by many.
The partnerships we enjoy in Canada and internationally are gifts
from the hand of God. The thousands of friends who, out of their
love for God and Kingdom ministry, support The Bible League of
Canada both prayerfully and financially are gifts from the hand of
God. So, too, are the many thousands of volunteers at Bibles for
missions Thrift Stores.
We clearly recognize that after all the work is done… after all the
reports are given… after all the lives are touched… this work was
done with the help of our God.
The table shows the total results achieved since
September 1, 2007.
three Year Results for 2008 – 2010 PeOPLe PaRTiCiPaTiNG
evangelistic Outreach Programs
Learners attended 6,010,685
Committed to Follow Jesus 1,209,889
Baptisms 124,896
Leaders/Teachers/Church Planter Programs
Leaders/Teachers Trained 131,166
Church Planters Trained 3,384
Worship Groups/
Churches Planted 17,713
Scriptures Placed (in
addition to the
above programs)
Whole Bibles 1,425,781
New Testaments 213,153
Children’s Scriptures 1,159,770
Portions and Study materials 2,778,072
Leaders/TeaChers/ ChurCh PLanTers TrainedBecause of God’s grace and your faithful support, we were able
to train more leaders, teachers and church planters during the
past year than we have in any other year. The total number
increased from 44,125 to 62,872: an increase of 18,747
individuals, or 42.5%.
•�The�teachers�trained�as�a�result�of�your�faithfulness�are�engaged�
primarily in:
Children’s Ministry — intensive 10-day immersion evangelism programs in india
(similar to our Canadian Vacation Bible Schools);
— alternative Basic education or Values education in the
public school systems of the Philippines, ethiopia, Southern
Sudan and Zimbabwe;
Ministry Summary annual Report 2010
The Bible League of Canada has now directed its own international missions for the past three years. Our
partnerships are maturing and the results of God’s work around the world continue to amaze.
4
— alternative Basic education outside of the public school
systems mainly in india; and
Adult literacy — Scripture-based adult literacy training in india, ethiopia,
Southern Sudan and Zimbabwe.
•�The�leaders�trained�pastors,�teachers�and�church�planters.�Their�
task is to be active evangelists in the communities where our
frontline partners engage, through the access platforms which
we sponsor and support: Church Planter Training, adult Bible-
based Literacy, Children’s ministry, Scripture Placement and
discipleship Resources.
•�Included�in�the�62,872�individuals�trained�are�1,285�church�
planters. These highly dedicated national Christians go through
a 12 to 18 month training program. Nearly all of them plant
at least one church during the time they receive hands-on,
mentored classroom and on-field training. in many cases,
they plant more than one emerging church. in Cambodia, for
example, each church planter had sufficient leaders (also called
“Philips” based on acts 8) helping them to plant an average of
14 house churches.
The average cost of training a leader, teacher or church planter was
$89.01 during the last fiscal year. This is down from $105.62 during
the previous year.
Cost vs. Individuals trained
Learners aTTendedinternationally, we only work through nationals, in their countries.
The 62,872 individuals trained last year are all volunteers in their
own countries. None receive salaries from The Bible League of
Canada. Rather, nearly all of them earn their living at other jobs
and do the work of evangelism and discipleship training in their
personal time.
in addition to the 62,872 individuals trained as teachers, leaders
and church planters this past year, these trained volunteers
engaged 2,955,908 men, women, or children in a project of
at least 10 days of intensive interaction where they were able
to establish personal relationships. This is a total of 3,018,780
individuals in training and ministry projects, an increase of
1,133,649 or 60.1% versus last year.
many projects, such as adult literacy classes, meet five evenings
per week for 52 weeks. about 85% of students complete this
program and are then able to read, write and do basic arithmetic
at the grade five level. This program rescues people from the
causes of abject poverty. more importantly, about 40% of the
graduates become joyful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ!
as stated, the volunteer teachers, leaders and church planters
do the bulk of the work. The Bible League of Canada, with
your support, provides the Scripture-based study resources,
Bibles, New Testaments, Children’s Scriptures and the training.
The average, per-person cost of providing the resources and
training decreased from $3.47 to $2.74, due largely to improved
economies of scale and curreny exchange rates.
50100150200250
$89.01
$105.62
$241.49
$143.50
$143.02
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
62,872
44,125
25,454
46,865
46,034
COST iNdiViduaLS TRaiNed (iN ThOuSaNdS)
2006 2007
2008 2009
2010
09
5
new FoLLowers oF JesusNot everyone who claims to become a follower of Jesus is what
we call “born again.” Jesus told us in mark 4:13-20 that some
receive the Good News with joy, but it does not take root and they
fall away. So it is with some who are reached by our dedicated
frontline leaders, teachers and church planters.
Nevertheless, to be accountable, we ask the volunteer workers
to provide us with certain statistical information. This includes
reporting on the number of people in their projects who have
made a decision to become followers of Jesus. We cannot say
which individuals have actually become followers of Jesus – that is
the role of the holy Spirit; but we can joyfully report which ones tell
us they have begun this new journey.
during the 2009 – 2010 fiscal year we received reports that
484,226 individuals had made it known to their leaders, teachers,
or church planters that they had become followers of Jesus. This
is an increase of 43,379 decisions or 9.8% over the previous year.
This percentage is lower than the percentage increase in the
number of individuals enrolled in a learning project. The reasons
for this are varied. For instance, some leaders may be exercising
greater caution in their reports; some of the variance may be due
to the timing of the starts and completions of some of the projects;
more than 1,000,000 additional learners began their projects later
in the year; it takes time for them to understand and embrace the
new message they hear.
Attendees Who Said they Follow Jesus
new ChurChes PLanTedThe Bible League of Canada does not plant churches. Rather, we
assist national churches in their efforts to plant their own churches.
But in partnership with the national denominations and churches,
we do provide training for those who engage in church planting.
an integral part of each student’s training program is the actual
work of planting at least one church during their time of study.
The churches we count as having been planted are only those which
have come into existence during the training period of the church
planter, before graduation.
This past year 6,411 churches were planted by our church planter
students, a decrease of 1,334 from the previous year. This is due
to the timing of church plants reported in india.
each new church plant is only counted once, but there is a high
variability because of timing as to when they are counted or
recognized. it is much more clear when a church planter is directly
involved. We need more church planters. The harvest is ripe!
So, 6,411 new worshipping communities were established
this past year. Worldwide, that works out to an average of 4.7
3,018,780
1,885,131
1,169,646
$2.74
$3.47
$5.26
$11.38
$11.48
COST LeaRNeRS aTTeNded (iN huNdRed ThOuSaNdS)
2006 2007
2008 2009
2010
573,354
591,150
Cost vs. learners Attended
484,226
440,847
284,816
100,873
73,619
2006 2007
2008 2009
2010
aTTeNdeeS (iN TeN ThOuSaNdS)
6
worshipping communities for every church planter during his or
her training time. No church planter can reasonably plant more
than one church in one year by him or herself. This shows the
importance of the supporting evangelism work being done by
those engaged in the access platform programs—the leaders
and teachers.
Cost vs. Churches planted
sCriPTures PLaCedThere are many Scripture resources used in the programs
described above. But in addition to the resources consumed
by students in their training, or given to them at the completion
of certain courses of study, there are Scriptures sent by The
Bible League of Canada to other partners. These partners most
frequently distribute them to Christians in countries where they
are persecuted for their faith. For security reasons, we will not say
anything further about these ministries, but some stories of how
Bibles get into the hands of believers are amazing!
in addition, we also provide Bibles to our Canadian church
partners for their own ministry outreach. This is part of our
mandate—to come alongside local churches so that they will be
able to better carry out their ministry.
The total number of Scriptures placed in addition to those used in
our own ministry programs this past year were as follows:
number of Scriptures placed
SCRiPTuRe QuaNTiTY COST eaCh
TOTaL COST
Bibles 504,880 $3.00 $1,514,640
New Testaments 80,336 $1.50 $120,504
Children’s Scriptures 162,042 $1.50 $243,063
Bible Study Booklets 339,567 $0.77 $261,467
disbursemenTs summaryThe disbursements section of the financial statements found on
pages 21 to 26 are summarized in the following pie chart.
international missions*
Canadian ministry*
administration
Fundraising
* This includes all expenses directly related to delivering the programs.
$2,403.99
$3,967.55
$6,512.36
6,411
8,745
2,557
$748.51
$1,181.67
1,695
1,011
2006 2007
2008 2009
2010
COST (iN huNdRedS) ChuRCheS PLaNTed
65.60%
25.61%
5.87%
2.62%
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adminisTraTion and FundraisinGWe praise the Lord for a dedicated team of Canadian staff.
They are an efficient and committed team of servants.
The administration and fundraising costs were proportionately
allocated to each ministry program and project. Reported
project costs include all expenses directly related to delivering
the ministry.
For accountability and transparency, we track and communicate
the administration and fundraising costs as a percentage of
total expenses. The actual amounts are included in the financial
statements included at the end of this publication.
Reported project Costs
summary
We share all these results for two reasons:
1. To give God the glory for what he has accomplished through
earthen vessels like all of us: BFm volunteers, donors, Canadian
staff, ministry partners, and frontline volunteers.
2. To give an account to you, our donors, BFm volunteers, and
prayer supporters of how we have used the resources you have
entrusted to us.
Our mission Statement states that it is the holy Spirit who prepares
people to receive the gospel and respond to it. We must never
forget that. at the same time, we praise the Lord that he has given
us faithful partners in Canada who, because of their love for God
and Kingdom ministry, give generously of their time and money to
make possible the work on the frontlines.
One of our greatest gifts is the valued partnership we share
with the Bibles for missions Thrift Stores. They have contributed
$5,855,354 to our overall income for the year. This represents
58.2% of our total income.
These stores (located in British Columbia, alberta, manitoba,
Ontario and New Brunswick) are managed by boards and
staff numbering close to 4,000 volunteers. The results in this
report would not be possible without their many hours of faithful
volunteer service.
For more information about BFm, please visit
www.bfmthriftstores.ca.
“By grace alone!” “By faith alone!”
2.62%
3.88%
3.54%
5.72%
10.83%
2006 2007
2008 2009
2010
2006 2007
2008 2009
2010
admiNiSTRaTiON FuNdRaiSiNG
8.49%
8.99%
9.37%
11.30%
16.40%
2006 2007
2008 2009
2010
COmBiNed
5.87%
5.11%
5.83%
5.58%
5.57%
8
Church Planter Trainingequipping believers with training and materials to
effectively reach their nation for Christ
Adult Bible-Based Literacydiscovering joy in Jesus
through adult literacy classes
Children’s MinistryReaching boys and girls
with the gospel’s message of hope
Scripture PlacementBringing hope to the frontlines
through God’s Word
Discipleship ResourcesPartnering with the Christian community to provide
Scripture materials for spiritual growth
Through which we do our work
tHe FIve ACCeSS plAtFoRMS
2Bible-basedAdult Literacy
3Children’s Ministry
4Scripture Placement
5Discipleship Resources
1Church Planter Training
9
“and i tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church,
and the gates of hades will not overcome it.” —maTTheW 16:18
CHuR
CH pl
Ante
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AInI
nG
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But in many places where we work there is no church. most often a church must be planted. We do not plant churches, but equip our national partners with Church Planter Training courses, through which national men and women are trained to plant churches in their own communities.
many of these church planters go on to plant more than one church. Such is the case with the church planter in our story.
“i have about ten years left on this earth. i will give every day of my remaining life to planting new churches” says Pastor Victor.
Pastor Victor of Jujan, ecuador, a village once known as “a place out of hell,” was asked, “What is the church going to do about Jujan?” The village was rife with corruption and violence. Pastor Victor’s church was small, but he began to imagine how it could transform the community.
Pastor Victor prayed, then felt in his heart what he needed to do. he approached our partner in Latin america for help. While the frontline partner was visiting Victor’s congregation of around 70 members, Victor leaned close to him and whispered, “This is the church i’m trying to empty!”
he looked at Victor in astonishment. “Wait a minute. We’re here to help you fill your church, to have a strong church that’s discipling many people and bringing them into the fellowship of believers. What do you mean empty your church?”
Victor smiled. “i want as many of these church members as possible to become church planters so that we can have a greater impact on this town, and in this country. i want to send at least half of the couples here to go and start new Bible
study home fellowships and then make those into new congregations…”
Victor has already sent out 20 leaders from his church and he has helped start 20 new worshipping groups in Jujan and in the rural areas surrounding it. Victor’s church, the mother church, is creating daughter churches, who in turn are being trained and starting granddaughter churches!
When a new church is planted, God’s work amazes everyone.
With Jesus Christ at the centre of these communities, marriages change, children are treated differently at home, businesses change, Bible studies spread! men, women and children who have been broken by life are given life and hope – and they are eager to share their new life with others!
Churches like Pastor Victor’s, that both evangelize and disciple, that have strong relationships between members and with their communities, have a way of reaching out and growing.
Thank you for partnering with us as we come alongside men and women like Pastor Victor, who love Jesus Christ by planting and growing communities of believers, and who live every moment to pass on their fiery love for God.
The Planters All of the activities of The Bible League of Canada are done so that those who have been brought into a living relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour will also be brought into fellowship with His Church.
1Church Planter Training
11
“open my eyes that i may see wonderful things in Your law.”
—PSaLm 119:18
BIBl
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Adul
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Not only that, but when they learn to read and write, others are no longer able to take advantage of them in the marketplace. a whole new world opens up for them. as a result of being exposed to biblical teaching for a whole year, over 40% of those who graduate from The Bible League of Canada’s adult Bible-based Literacy Program tell us that they become followers of Jesus.
One such person was Geeta, an illiterate woman from india.
Geeta lived for one peaceful month each year. during this one month, Geeta’s husband quit drinking — and life was so much better for Geeta and her family! her husband Biju was a drummer in the temple of their village god, and once a year he performed worship rituals very strictly for an entire month. during that month, he gave up all of his bad habits. Biju did not drink up his entire paycheck. he did not come home roaring drunk and inflict violent words and fists on Geeta and the children.
Geeta was so grateful for this one month each year and so thankful to their god. She always managed to scrimp and save a little money to give to the temple, even if she had to go without food. But when the special month ended, Geeta’s life was very hard. She had to try to provide for the family on whatever tiny part of Biju’s wages she could salvage from his drinking binges. She was uneducated and couldn’t make any money of her own.
her family’s future seemed very bleak until an adult Literacy Class formed in Geeta’s village! Geeta convinced Biju that it would be wise for her to attend — then at least one of them would be able to read, and perhaps teach their children.
Right now, Geeta attends classes and studies hard. already
she can write her own name and some other words, read her primer and do basic arithmetic. even more importantly, the Bible presentations during class have impacted her. She believes in Jesus Christ and is attending church. her whole outlook has changed because now there is joy in her life every day, not just a false sense of peace during one month of the year.
Geeta and her children have hope for a better future. She can read the bus schedules, calculate change when she’s shopping for food, fill out important government forms, and more. She’s determined to complete her class, and one of her goals is to be able to read the Bible — because it has been such an inspiration to her.
Thank you for partnering with us in sharing Jesus Christ through Adult Bible-based Literacy classes. These classes improve the students’ standard of living and engage them with the Living Word of God. Because of your compassion, lives around the world are being transformed. Joy and hope are flowing into the hearts of individuals, families, and communities!
The Students Millions of people in Africa and India are illiterate. This means they can’t read the Bible or do Bible studies. By teaching people to read and write using a Bible-based curriculum, they learn valuable life skills and gain access to the Living Word of God!
2Bible-basedAdult Literacy
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“These commandments that i give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children.” —deuTeRONOmY 6:6-7
CHIl
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’S
MIn
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3Children’s Ministry
Our Children’s Clubs outside of school, also called alternative Basic education, provide children with a Bible-based education up to the grade five level. in some locations we provide children with the equivalent of Vacation Bible School.
There are also opportunities to provide Values education classes in some public schools, such as the classes provided by The Bible League of Canada to over 30,000 Filipino children in the Philippines.
Twice a week, about 400 trained national volunteers walk for miles through mountainous terrain to reach schools across the Philippines. These men and women, persevering through natural disasters, centuries-old paganism and poverty, volunteer in The Bible League of Canada’s Values education classes.
Living in hopelessness and poverty, many of the children have no respect for their teachers or for school. Why should they pay attention? Why bother? Some of them walk out of class or play games while the teacher teaches. The teachers face challenges that test their commitment and their faith – but they put all of their trust in God. after much prayer from the teachers and the parents, the students slowly begin to learn respect, honesty, and obedience.
Not only do the VeP instructors teach these children Bible stories, memory verses, and the truth about God’s love, but they are shining witnesses of God’s love in action.
One young student wrote to his volunteer instructor:
“Sir, thank you for teaching the Bible in a very simple and practical way. i used to think that the Bible is only for those who are holy. i used to think i would never really understand what the
Bible is and what it says. i learned that we all need God in our lives. Thank you also that you are not just a good teacher but you are also a good friend.”
“Our teacher is a real inspiration to us,” writes another student. “We know now that God really cares for us because he sent a teacher who is kind, concerned and prayerful.”
The volunteer teachers are thankful for the opportunites God has given them to reach out to the people in their communities with the message of Jesus Christ. Through the tender hearts of the children they are teaching, entire villages are transforming for Christ!
Children ages 7-14 have the highest conversion rate to becoming followers of Christ and are least likely to abandon their faith as they become older. Thank you for partnering with us to give these precious children the opportunity to learn about Jesus! Please continue to pray with us for the Values Education Program, the dedicated volunteer teachers, and the thousands of children eager to hear the Good News!
The Children Hundreds of millions of children in developing countries do not attend school – some must work, many have no school available, and sadly, many are too hopeless to attend.
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SCRI
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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according tohis power that is at work within us…”
—ePheSiaNS 3:20-21
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“To him who is victorious, i will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as i was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:21
in many countries of South east asia, our ministry partners risk their personal freedom and lives to meet the demand and hunger for God’s Word. in countries of severe persecution, God constantly amazes by bringing about great victory through what appears to us the greatest defeat. This is one of those times.
a young North Korean man worked as an official for the border patrol. One day his squad was executing three North Koreans who had been caught crossing the border to China. Though the official was head of the division, he was not involved in the interrogations. But he saw these men and noticed that one of them, a boy, had a small black book. The boy had been caught crossing the border to confess his faith in Jesus Christ. When the official saw the black book, he remembered his mother’s words from when he was a child... She had spoken of a book she used to read, now prohibited in North Korea. She thought people crossing the border might have this book. With his mother’s words in his ears, the official took the book without anyone noticing.
When the young official returned home, he handed the book to his mother. “mother,” he said, “is this the book that you wanted to read?”
in North Korea, if a person is caught with a Bible, he can be sentenced without a trial to 15 years in prison. The life expectancy in a political prison camp for a Christian is less than 3 years. it is a death sentence. Often, believing parents do not even share their faith with their children because the children
are trained to report anything that goes against the communist government – even their own parents.
The mother recognized the Bible and started to cry.
“mother, please explain to me why you are crying.” But the mother continued to weep for hours. The son pleaded with her. “mother, i’ll do anything for you to stop crying!”
She tested him by saying, “anything?” after he had answered “Yes, anything!” a few times, she finally asked her son to repeat the sinner’s prayer. and being obedient to his mother, the young official said the sinner’s prayer. in the moment he said “amen,” the holy Spirit entered his heart. he dropped to his knees. he had never heard of Jesus Christ, but the holy Spirit moved him to repent for killing so many Christians who had crossed the border to share their faith. The mother embraced him and they began to pray together. From this mother and son, a new church began.
This is just one example of how one Bible can do more than we ever imagine. Thank you for partnering with us to place Bibles where the Holy Spirit has prepared hearts. God’s Word changes lives.
The Persecuted In areas of persecution, The Bible League of Canada provides Bibles, Hymnals, and other Scripture materials to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, so they can persevere and emerge from their trials victorious in the Lord.
4Scripture Placement
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“may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternalcovenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will.” —heBReWS 13:20, 21a
dISC
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SHIp
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We want to see Canada transformed for Jesus Christ! and we believe this begins by connecting people to God’s Word every day.
We focus a great deal on Canada’s children, recognizing their openness to the love of Jesus, and their joy in sharing Jesus with their families and friends. One of our most popular resources is the manga series, a collection of graphic novels that illustrate stories from the Bible. it’s an exciting outreach tool that brings the Bible alive to children and adults alike – and it is a resource people love to share!
“i am excited about kids reading a well-done graphic novel about Jesus Christ,” writes Reverend Bob from BC. “my family and i thank The Bible League of Canada and their supporters for making tools like the manga messiah available for churches like ours who are reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus!”
The Bible League of Canada partners with churches by providing a variety of resources, one of which is our daily devotional Planner. The planners connect people to God’s Word daily through the Verse of the day, a challenge question, and four separate reading tracks. This year we provided 240,000 planners to 2100 partner churches across Canada. 90% of surveyed users said the planners had positively affected their spiritual lives!
Cathy from Ontario writes:
“every day i read the daily verse and questions and journal my thoughts. On monday afternoons, i get together with three friends who are doing exactly the same thing and we talk about our journal entries. The devotional planner has been such a blessing to me and my friends. it has strengthened our
relationship with God and with each other.”
Our daily News Story, Podcast, the Verse of the day, online Bible Studies and the presence of The Bible League of Canada on Facebook gives people across the country a quick and easy way to access Bible-based resources, 24 hours a day.
a Podcast subscriber writes, “Thank you for the encouraging words each day. may God continue to bless his Word to you and to us.”
The Bible League of Canada partners with prison ministries and is committed to discipling people in prison with the Word of God. This past year over 50 volunteers marked more than 180 Bible lessons each month from inmates. These inmates also received personal letters of encouragement from the volunteers. One inmate writes, “i am continually growing spiritually because of the Lord’s faithful servants surrounding me with motivation, encouragement and the love of Jesus Christ. i am so grateful.”
These resources are only a sampling of the programs available in Canada. The Bible League of Canada’s desire is to connect people to God’s Word every day, so that through the unity and power of the Body of Christ, the Holy Spirit can redeem Canada to Himself, bringing those He has prepared into relationship with Himself and His Church. Thank you for working alongside us to make this a reality.
The Tools The Bible League of Canada’s vision is to assist and equip churches, Christian schools, mission organizations and individuals with discipleship and support resources so that they can reach out to their own communities with the power of the gospel.
5Discipleship Resources
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audiTor’s rePorT
to the directors of the Bible league of Canada
i have audited the balance sheet of The Bible League of Canada
as at august 31, 2010 and the statements of revenues and
expenses, changes in fund balances and cash flows for the year
then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the organization’s management. my responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on my audit.
except as explained in the following paragraph, i conducted my
audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that i plan and perform
an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. an audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. an audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation.
as described in note 2(b), the organization expenses inventories
fully in the year of purchase. Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles require that a not-for-profit organization
record inventories at the lower of cost and current replacement
cost when they are held for distribution at no charge or a nominal
charge. Because the organization has its inventories stored at
many worldwide locations, management considers the costs and
difficulties of verifying the inventories are not justified and would
take significant resources away from its ministry. Since i have
been unable to obtain information with respect to inventories, i am
unable to estimate what the inventories carrying value should have
been, nor am i able to estimate the related effect on expenses and
the excess of revenues over expenses.
in my opinion, except that inventories are not recorded on the
balance sheet as described above, these financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the organization as at august 31, 2010 and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance
with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
hamilton, Ontario
September 29, 2010
Chartered Accountant, Licensed Public Accountant
Financial StatementsFor the Year ended august 31, 2010
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Balance Sheet AuGuSt 31, 2010
aSSeTS 2010 2009
Cash $251,149 $537,254
Loan receivable (note 4) - $208,426
Note receivable - current
portion
$5,887 -
Prepaid expenses $804,555 $44,534
TOTaL: $1,061,591 $790,214
Capital assets (notes 2 & 3) $430,942 $483,097
Note Receivable (note 4) $8,138 -
TOTaL: $1,500,671 $1,273,311
LiaBiLiTieS
accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$165,190 $283,612
FuNd BaLaNCeS 2009 2010
General (Unrestricted) (page 3) $1,335,481 $989,699
TOTaL: $1,500,671 $1,273,311
Statement of Revenues and expenses AuGuSt 31, 2010
ReVeNueS 2010 2009
Contributions received $4,195,423 $4,258,366
BFm Thrift Stores $5,855,354 $4,308,188
interest and other revenue $10,354 $4,443
TOTaL: $10,061,131 $8,570,997
exPeNSeS
TOTaL: $9,715,349 $8,847,940
exCeSS (deFiCieNCY) OF ReVeNueS OVeR exPeNSeS
TOTaL: $345,782 $(276,943)
Statement of Changes in Fund Balances AuGuSt 31, 2010
2010 2009
Balance, beginning of year $989,699 $1,266,642
excess (deficiency) of
revenues over expenses $345,782 $(276,943)
Balance, end of year $1,335,481 $989,699
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Schedule of expenses AuGuSt 31, 2010
iNTeRNaTiONaL miNiSTRY PROJeCTS
CaNadiaN miNiSTRY PROJeCTS admiNiSTRaTiON FuNdRaiSiNG 2010 TOTaL 2009 TOTaL
africa and arab countries $1,212,278 – – – $1,212,278 $2,103,868
asia $1,096,910 – – – $1,096,910 $423,154
india $2,319,928 – – – $2,319,928 $2,204,987
eastern europe and CiS $938,099 – – – $938,099 $999,599
South and Central america $316,346 – – – $316,346 $147,427
international review $23,982 – – – $23,982 $39,435
ministry tours – – – – – $8,721
amortization - building – – $18,384 – $18,384 $18,384
amortization - computer equipment – – $3,379 – $3,379 $886
amortization - furniture and equipment – – $3,567 – $3,567 $9,017
amortization - vehicles – – $8,274 – $8,274 $6,770
Bank charges – $716 $28,330 – $29,046 $26,899
Computer expenses $7,072 $20,865 $3,746 $4,153 $35,836 $53,442
Contracted services – $236,584 – – $236,584 $167,593
digital ministries $457,478 – – – $457,478 –
impact Poverty Foundation expense – – $225,956 – $225,956 –
insurance $1,776 $5,244 $4,831 $1,045 $12,896 $9,335
Loss on disposal of capital assets – – $9,822 – $9,822 $5,539
mailings – $22,270 – $28,884 $51,154 $86,834
ministry publications and supplies $5,222 $944,487 $2,769 $3,068 $955,546 $1,026,121
Office supplies and dues $4,799 $14,160 $20,831 $2,819 $42,609 $51,367
Postage $6,069 $17,950 $3,230 $3,561 $30,810 $27,081
Professional fees – – $8,945 – $8,945 $9,513
Publicity events $3,713 $186,633 $1,969 $2,181 $194,496 $114,058
Promotion materials and services – $55,749 – $32,464 $88,213 $116,472
Property taxes $1,333 $3,663 $2,758 $729 $8,483 $8,107
Repairs and maintenance $2,312 $15,097 $1,226 $1,358 $19,993 $16,188
Salaries and benefits – $832,958 $166,600 $139,351 $1,138,909 $958,348
Telecommunications $2,971 $9,744 $2,953 $1,799 $17,467 $14,920
Travel and public relations – $116,046 $51,237 $31,904 $199,187 $184,383
utilities $1,958 $5,837 $1,833 $1,144 $10,772 $9,492
TOTaL: $6,402,246 $2,488,003 $570,640 $254,460 $9,715,349 $8,847,94022
Statement of Cash Flows AuGuSt 31, 2010
CaSh FROm OPeRaTiNG aCTiViTieS
2010 2009
excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses $345,782 ($276,943)
adjustments for items not affecting cash:
amortization
Loss on disposal of capital assets
$33,604
$9,822
$35,057
$5,539
TOTaL: $389,208 $(236,347)
Changes in non-cash working capital balances:
Prepaid expenses
accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Loan receivable
$(760,021)
$(118,422)
$202,539
$50,456
$(303,467)
$141,574
TOTaL: $(286,696) $(347,784)
CaSh FROm FiNaNCiNG aNd iNVeSTiNG aCTiViTieS
additions to capital assets $(6,271) $(57,431)
disposals of capital assets $15,000 $8,000
decrease (increase) in long-term loan receivable $(8,138) $280,000
TOTaL: $591 $230,569
iNCReaSe (deCReaSe) iN CaSh $(286,105) $(117,215)
CaSh, BeGiNNiNG OF YeaR $537,254 $654,469
CaSh, eNd OF YeaR $251,149 $537,254
noTes To The FinanCiaL sTaTemenTsFOR The YeaR eNded auGuST 31, 2010
1. purpose of the organizationThe organization was founded in 1948 and was incorporated as a corporation without share capital by letters patent under the Canada Corporations act in 1971. The corporation is a registered charitable organization and is therefore exempt from the payment of income taxes as provided under the income Tax act. its purpose is to provide Scriptures and training worldwide so that people prepared by the holy Spirit will be brought into fellowship with Christ and his Church.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting policies(a) Revenue recognition
The organization follows the deferral method of accounting for contributions. Restricted donations and grants are recognized as revenue in the year in which the related expenses are incurred. unrestricted donations and grants are recognized as revenue in the year received or receivable if the amount to be received can be reasonably estimated and collection is reasonably assured.
Revenues from sales of publications are recognized when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.
(b) Inventories inventories are not recorded on the balance sheet but are expensed fully in the year of purchase.
(c) Capital Assets Capital assets are recorded at cost. Contributed capital assets are recorded at fair value at the date of the contribution. amortization is provided on capital assets using the straight line method over the useful life of the assets at the following annual rates:
Building 4% Furniture and equipment 20% Vehicles 25% Computer equipment 33%
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(d) Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. actual results could differ from management’s best estimates, as additional information becomes available in the future.
(e) Volunteer Services Because volunteer services are not remunerated by the
organization and the difficulty in determining their fair market value contributed services are not recognized in the financial statements.
(f) Foreign Currency Translation monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the date in which the transaction took place. Foreign exchange gains and losses are included in the statement of revenues and expenses.
3. Capital Assets
aSSeTS COST aCCumuLaTed amORTiZaTiON
NeT 2010 NeT 2009
Land $267,500 – $267,500 $267,500
Building $459,584 $312,528 $147,056 $165,440
Furniture and equipment $43,301 $35,124 $8,177 $13,516
Computer equipment $10,702 $2,493 $8,209 $3,545
Vehicles – – – $33,096
TOTaL: $781,087 $350,145 $430,942 $483,097
4. other Assets
aSSeTS 2010 2009
Loan receivable, impact Poverty Foundation, non-interest bearing – $208,426
Note receivable from employee, 1% interest, repayable in monthly
instalments of $500, due January 2013
$14,025 –
Less: current portion $5,887 –
TOTaL: $8,138 –
5. ContingenciesThe Bible League of Canada is a joint venture partner of BFm Foundation (Canada) and each of its member BFm Thrift Stores. all
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net revenue generated by each of the BFm Thrift Stores is, by the terms of the joint venture agreements, to be for the beneficial interest of the Bible League of Canada. BFm Foundation (Canada) has established a fund to assist with the opening of new BFm Thrift Stores in communities across Canada. all funds received by BFm Foundation (Canada) from its member BFm Thrift Stores are used
(a) to increase the equity in the BFm Thrift Stores, and
(b) to be contributed to The Bible League of Canada with the express purpose to place Scriptures and provide training in certain specified countries or regions.
as of december 31, 2009, The Bible League of Canada’s restricted equity in BFm Foundation (Canada) was $5,312,614 (december 31, 2008 - $4,912,623). These amounts are based on the unaudited financial statements of all the BFm Thrift Stores.
during the 2008 year, BFm Foundation (Canada) established BFm Foundation Real estate management (2008) Ltd. The objective of this corporation is to take over the financing of the capital assets of the BFm Thrift Stores so that the funds received by BFm Foundation (Canada) will no longer need to be used to increase the equity in the BFm Thrift Stores or to establish new BFm Thrift Stores.
during the current year, BFm Foundation (Canada) established BFm Foundation Thrift Store development Ltd. The objective of this corporation is to develop BFm stores.
6. Commitmentsunder the terms of various agreements and contracts, the organization will be required to make future annual payments
as follows: 2011 - $1,612,642; 2012 - $107,198 and 2013 - $47,993.
7. Financial InstrumentsThe organization’s financial instruments include loan receivable and accounts payable. unless otherwise noted, it is management’s opinion that the organization is not exposed to significant interest rate and credit risks arising from its financial instruments. management is aware that the organization is exposed to changes in the exchange rates as it pays for expenses and provides grants in various foreign currencies.
The fair values of these financial instruments approximate their carrying values, unless otherwise noted.
8. Comparative FiguresCertain comparative figures on the balance sheet and statement of revenues and expenses have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase
your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”
—2 CORiNThiaNS 9:10
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we give thanks for what God is doing around the world through the friends and partners of The Bible League of Canada. Our great joy is to see God build his Kingdom around this world. Our prayer echoes that of Nehemiah in chapter nine verse six where he prayed to the Lord, “…now strengthen my hands.” and God answered his prayer.
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