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| The Beginnings : The Mary Jones Story |
| Mary Jones was
a poor Welsh girl who had learned to read and had but one dream - to own
her own copy of the Bible. Unfortunately, Bibles were not easily available
and even if they were they were frightfully expensive. Mary, however, was
determined.
She worked hard for 6 long years and collected money to buy a Bible. She walked a whole day to go to the town where a Bible was available. When she reached there she was told that the Bibles had been sold. Heartbroken, she cried and seeing her grief the minister gave her the only copy he had. This was the beginning of Bible Society. |
| The Beginning in India |
| The
Bible Society ministry started in India as an extended work of the British
and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) in the year 1911 at Calcutta. It was then
known as the Calcutta Auxillary of the BFBS. This, perhaps, was the beginning
of the Bible Society work in Asia.
Bible work spread
throughout the entire Indian sub-continent and soon it became difficult
to administer operations from London. The need was felt for the formation
of a national society. Thus, in 1944, a sister Society by the name of "Bible
Society of India and Ceylon" was formed, incorporating the various Auxillaries
in the sub-continent.
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| As colonialism faded away from Asia, national Bible Societies emerged. In 1969 "The Bible Society of India" and the "Ceylon Bible Society" became sister societies.. The Bible Society of India (BSI) with its headquarters in Bangalore, extended its work further by opening Auxillary offices all over the country. Today, through a network of 15 auxillaries, the BSI is serving the Indian church. |
| The BSI is a founder member of the global fellowship of Bible Societies known as the "United Bible Societies". It has about 120 regular amd associate member societies operating in more than 180 countries. |
| Growth & Organization |
| Much of the work in the early years was done through volunteers, colporteuers and Bible women, who carried the Scriptures to the nook and corner of the country. Though these channels are still used, the pattern gradually changed as the needs of the Indian church grew. A more organized setup became necessary and many full time workers were appointed. |
| Each Auxillary of the BSI is headed by an Auxillary Secretary, who is assisted by a dedicated team of staff. The central office at Bangalore co-ordinates the activities of the BSI under the leadership of the General Secretary. |
| Bible Society in India today |
| The Bible Society has 15 Auxillaries in India at different locations. Given below are the addresses of al the Bible Society Auxillary offices. |
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| Aizawl Auxillary | Andhra Pradesh Auxillary | Bihar Auxillary |
| M.G Road | 132 Rashtrapati Road | Old Hazari Bagh Road |
| Aizawl - 796 001. | Secunderabad - 500 003. | Ranchi - 834 001. |
| Phone : 03832 23210 | Phone : 040 753 4017 | Phone : 0651 30 5301 |
| Mumbai Auxillary | Calcutta Auxillary | Dimapur Auxillary |
| Malhotra House, Opp G.P.O | 23 Jawahar Lal Road | Church Road |
| Mumbai - 400 001. | Calcutta - 700 087. | Dimapur - 797 112. |
| Phone : 022 261 1707 | Phone : 033 249 1898 | Phone : 03862 22627 |
| Gujarat Auxillary | Karnataka Auxillary | Kerala Auxillary |
| Near Gujrat College, Ellis Bridge | 2 Mahatma Gandhi Road | Post Box 114 |
| Ahmedabad - 380 006. | Bangalore - 560 001. | Kottayam - 686 001. |
| Phone : 079-44-6807. | Phone : 080 221 4557 | Phone : 0481 56 2103 |
| Orissa Auxillary | Shillong Auxillary | Tamil Nadu Auxillary |
| Bible House | Student's Field | Post Box 502, Park Town |
| Cuttack - 753 001. | Shillong - 793 002. | Chennai - 600 003. |
| Phone : 0671 61 9691 | Phone : 0364 24 2693 | Phone : 044 535 3631 |
| U.P Auxillary | Auxillary Secretary | Madhya Pradesh Auxillary |
| 14 Thornbill Road | 10 Sansad Marg | Pilikothi, 1017 Napier Town |
| Allahabad - 211 001. | New Delhi - 110 001. | Jabalpur - 482 001. |
| Phone : 0532 62 4107. | Phone : 011 336 2054. | Phone : |
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| Phone : 336 2054 Fax : 336 6822 E-Mail : bsinwi@del2.vsnl.net.in |