Posted on Jan 26, 2007 | by Don Beehler

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Christmas day was a bit brighter for about 130 of Dayton, Ohio’s poor and homeless who received a free copy of the Holman Christian Standard Bible at a Christmas service and breakfast sponsored by Target Dayton Ministries, a ministry focused on meeting intercity needs.

The Bibles were donated through LifeWay Christian Resources’ Holman Bible Outreach International (HBOI), which provides discounted or free Bibles and Scripture portions for evangelism, mission projects and training.

"A homeless person has to carry his or her belongings everywhere. It is amazing to see our friends continue to carry the Bibles they were given at Christmas everywhere they go," said Mark Stevens who, together with his wife, Cindi, directs Target Dayton Ministries.

"We greatly appreciate Holman Bible Outreach International’s support. The beautiful Bibles they provided for our people were the greatest blessing to them."

Rhonda Sturgill, a volunteer with Target Dayton, contacted LifeWay in early December requesting Bibles to give away to the needy at Target Dayton’s morning service on Christmas Day.

“I had no idea how God was going to work this out … needless to say, it has increased my faith!” Sturgill wrote in a thank-you note.

HBOI’s Sparrow Projects -- which comes from the old hymn "His Eye is on the Sparrow" -- was established to handle inquiries such as Sturgill’s from ministries and churches needing help. In 2006, more than 40 requests were met.

"Our whole reason for being as an organization is to get God’s Word into the hands of men and women throughout the world who otherwise might not have ready access to it," said Phill Burgess, executive director of HBOI.
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