Lifewords
Encyclopedia
SGM Lifewords is a Christian mission
based in London
, but with offices worldwide. It exists to promote the positive influence of the Bible
on everyday life. This has been done traditionally through literature distribution, but more recently includes websites, film, educational programmes and live events.
SGM Lifewords does not carry out mission initiatives directly, but resources other mission organisations, churches, or individuals. All SGM Lifewords' work is funded by donations, and the agency currently operates in over 25 countries.
to produce illustrations. Both of these were controversial at the time, as it was felt that they devalued the Scriptures. SGM produced Bible materials for troops in the Boer War
in 1899, and the supply of military items was to become an important part of the mission's work, particularly during the two World War
s. In 1945, the society distributed hundreds of thousands of New Testament
s according to the text of the Miniature Bible
by Franz Eugen Schlachter
to German POWs in English prisons.
In the post-war years, SGM continued to expand, starting offices in Australia
, South Africa
, Poland
and India
, among others. Translation work was an important feature of the mission, and SGM published its 1000th language in 2002, according to their Interact magazine.
Following changes in the nature of their work, and a desire to move into new fields, SGM rebranded in 2005 and became SGM Lifewords.
and Easter
, and more general evangelistic materials. Among SGM Lifewords' broader portfolio is Pavement Project, a counselling programme for street children, and Choose Life, a values education programme for Kenya
n schools.
Mission (Christian)
Christian missionary activities often involve sending individuals and groups , to foreign countries and to places in their own homeland. This has frequently involved not only evangelization , but also humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged...
based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, but with offices worldwide. It exists to promote the positive influence of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
on everyday life. This has been done traditionally through literature distribution, but more recently includes websites, film, educational programmes and live events.
SGM Lifewords does not carry out mission initiatives directly, but resources other mission organisations, churches, or individuals. All SGM Lifewords' work is funded by donations, and the agency currently operates in over 25 countries.
History
Scripture Gift Mission (SGM) was founded in 1888 by a printer named William Walters, who believed the Bible should be accessible to all. His two main innovations were to make the Bible available free of charge, and to dispatch a painter to IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
to produce illustrations. Both of these were controversial at the time, as it was felt that they devalued the Scriptures. SGM produced Bible materials for troops in the Boer War
Boer War
The Boer Wars were two wars fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Oranje Vrijstaat and the Republiek van Transvaal ....
in 1899, and the supply of military items was to become an important part of the mission's work, particularly during the two World War
World war
A world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's most powerful and populous nations. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theaters....
s. In 1945, the society distributed hundreds of thousands of New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
s according to the text of the Miniature Bible
Miniature Bible
The Miniature Bible is a German translation of the Bible by Franz Eugen Schlachter, who was strongly opposed to the Lutheran and Zurich Bibles. It was the starting point for Eugen's later Schlachter Bible....
by Franz Eugen Schlachter
Franz Eugen Schlachter
Franz Eugen Schlachter was a revivalist preacher, classical scholar and the translator of the Schlachter Bible....
to German POWs in English prisons.
In the post-war years, SGM continued to expand, starting offices in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, among others. Translation work was an important feature of the mission, and SGM published its 1000th language in 2002, according to their Interact magazine.
Following changes in the nature of their work, and a desire to move into new fields, SGM rebranded in 2005 and became SGM Lifewords.
Current work
SGM Lifewords produce literature in many languages, available from their offices worldwide. The range includes pastoral and counselling titles, ranges for ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, and more general evangelistic materials. Among SGM Lifewords' broader portfolio is Pavement Project, a counselling programme for street children, and Choose Life, a values education programme for Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n schools.