A SCHEME for churches to distribute Bibles at foodbanks has spread to more than 20 churches across the UK.

Bible banks were started by the Black Country Mission, a voluntary organisation based at Cradley Heath Baptist Church, to encourage churches to keep a store of Bibles and collect unused ones to give to enquirers (News, 17 March). It is self-funded.

The project now includes Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Salvation Army, and Pentecostal churches. A Christian shop in Dudley, and the Christian Heritage Centre, in Sandwell, are also now giving out free Bibles to visiting schoolchildren.

Rob Jones, of the Black Country Mission, explained: “We approach churches, offering to set up a free Bible bank. We then supply the Bibles free of charge, together with a chest to put them in and posters informing the general public that the church has a Bible bank.

“Experience has taught us several things about successful Bible banks. It is vital to have a clearly visible sign — ‘This church has a Bible bank’ — outside the church. The best place to have a Bible bank is in the foyer area near the main entrance. A picture of a Bible with the words ‘Let the word of God transform you’, as well as the Bible bank logo, is also helpful.”

The Mission has supplied more than 500 free Bibles to 21 church foodbanks, and several thousands more through schools and care homes. “Our work also involves door-to-door,” he said. “We hope to be able to establish a Bible bank in every county in England.”