Our Story
Sharing the Bible so all people can know Jesus.
Our Mission is
To share the Bible in an accessible way, so that all people can discover and live out God’s purpose for their lives.
What We Do
We are one of over 150 Bible Societies worldwide who form part of the United Bible Society global fellowship. We raise both prayer and financial support for other Bible Societies around the world; supporting Bible Translation, Production and Distribution, Literacy work and also Bible Engagement and Advocacy. We also support Bible projects here in Northern Ireland, helping people here engage more with God’s Word.
In 2026, we are supporting 33 different projects in 32 different countries around the world, across all areas of the Bible lifecycle.
We are also passionate about Bible engagement in our local community. We are blessed to have had the Bible readily available for many years in Northern Ireland, and at Bible Society NI we want to help you connect with God’s Word.
Our History
The story of the global movement of Bible Societies and its founding revolves around three remarkable individuals: a determined Welsh girl, a visionary Welsh pastor, and a campaigning MP.
-
In 1800, after saving money for 6 years, a 15-year-old girl called Mary Jones walked 26 miles from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant to Bala in Wales to buy a Bible in Welsh, a book she'd longed to own for years. Her journey inspired the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
With the help of Rev Thomas Charles of Bala, who sold her three Bibles for the price of one, Mary Jones’ unswerving desire to get hold of God’s written word soon became the talk of the churches in the area.
-
Inspired by Mary’s story, and by the need for reduced-price Bibles for Welsh speakers, Rev Joseph Hughes asked a daring question to other church leaders: ‘If for Wales, why not for the kingdom? And if for the kingdom, why not for the world?’
That question, posed at a meeting of the Religious Tract Society on 7 December 1802, would reverberate across Wales and, ultimately, the world. It was the moment that set in motion the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society.
-
Captured by the vision of God’s word being available for all people of the kingdom and the wider world, William Wilberforce and other members of the Clapham Sect decided to act. They made this vision part of their campaign to ‘make goodness fashionable’ – in the hope of inspiring people to fall in love with the Bible and a Biblically-inspired lifestyle.
On 7 March 1804, at a meeting of around 300 people at the London Tavern in Bishopsgate, Wilberforce and the campaigning groups he was a part of formed the British and Foreign Bible Society. At this moment, they could only begin to imagine what the Society would go on to do across the world.
Work in Ireland
The Bible Society was founded in Ireland in 1806, as the Dublin Bible Society, with the objective of encouraging a wider circulation of the Scriptures in Ireland. From 1806 to 1987 the Society was known as the Hibernian Bible Society, with Auxiliary Bible Societies in each county across the province. Work began in Belfast in 1807.
In 1987, the Belfast Bible Society became independent from the Hibernian Bible Society, and thus Bible Society Northern Ireland was born. The Hibernian Bible Society later changed its name to The National Bible Society of Ireland, and most recently, Bible Society Ireland and they continue to serve in the Republic of Ireland.
Today, we remain committed to God’s Word, distributing it, and helping people to engage with it. Our work in Northern Ireland goes hand-in-hand with our support of our sister Bible Societies around the world.
United Bible Societies
Bible Society Northern Ireland gained full United Bible Societies membership in 1987 upon its formation. UBS is a global, interconfessional community made up of Bible Societies, and it is through UBS that we are able to partner with and support so many people.
Find out more about the history of United Bible Societies by watching this short video.
Bible House on Howard Street in 1933
Annual Reports & Accounts
We are often amazed at God’s provision for Bible Society Ministry. His provision usually comes in the form of support from many people who are passionate about His Word and Kingdom. So we are thankful for each heart that has stirred in response to God’s prompt to meet a need.
It is important that you have a transparent report on how this provision is being used here in Northern Ireland and around the world. Each year we publish our audited accounts and a shortened, easier to read, Annual Report for our supporters. If you would like to see Annual Reports or audited accounts from further back, please contact the office.
