Doug Birdsall is the new American Bible Society president

The American Bible Society (ABS) has appointed their 27th president and CEO, S. Douglas Birdsall, who will begin work in March 2013.

Birdsall is currently the executive chairman of the Lausanne Movement, which mobilizes evangelical leaders to collaborate for world evangelization.  He recently chaired the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (in October 2010) in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference brought together 4200 Christian leaders, representing 198 countries.

Lausanne Movement leaders and American Bible Society leaders have worked together since 1989 through The Forum of Bible Agencies International (FBAI). FBAI brings together international Bible Agencies and other mission organizations with a shared vision of, “working together to maximize the worldwide access and impact of God’s Word.” In addition, ABS was involved in crafting the “eradicate Bible poverty” emphasis at Cape Town 2010, which had a deep impact on Birdsall.

Commenting on his appointment to the ABS, Birdsall said: “The Third Lausanne Congress: Cape Town 2010 renewed a passion in my heart to eradicate Bible poverty and see God’s word spread far and wide.”

Reverend Billy Graham, founder of The Lausanne Movement, said he was very happy to hear of Birdsall’s appointment as the new president of the American Bible Society.

“Under his leadership the Lausanne Movement has been strengthened and revitalised, and I pray that God will continue to use it to call the global Church to a renewed commitment to world evangelisation. May God bless the American Bible Society under Doug’s leadership as it explores new ways to bring God’s Word to this generation.”

Greg Clarke, CEO of Bible Society Australia applauds the appointment of a leader “so focused on mission to the world.”

“I welcome Doug to our fellowship,” Clarke says. “These are exciting days for the spread of God’s word around the globe in new ways and to new places. Bible Society Australia looks forward to continuing our warm cooperation with ABS, along with the nearly 150 other Bible Societies of the world.”

ABS Board Chairman Pieter Dearolf said Birdsall’s new appointment with the organisation “builds on Doug’s 30 years of leadership which have been focused on pointing people to the message of the Bible”.

He said: “We are excited to have found someone so well-suited for guiding the ministry into a new century of work around the world.”

Sources: Christian Today, American Bible Society, Christian Newswire