Contact: Ashley Hoptay, 972-499-6650

ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 7, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Seed Company, the fastest growing Bible translation organization in the world, today unveiled an initiative called the "Campaign to End Bible Poverty," which is designed to engage Americans in addressing the spiritual impoverishment affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. To facilitate the campaign, The Seed Company released a beta version of the free Web-based Sacrificial Giving App accessible on Apple and Android platforms via smartphones, enabling supporters to help eliminate the causes behind the scarcity of God's Word through interactive donations.

"The Seed Company has helped nearly 700 people groups in 84 countries receive God's Word for the first time in their language," said Roy Peterson, president of The Seed Company. "In addition to receiving first-hand accounts of life-transformations in our work, we also receive reports about how churches grow and communities begin to thrive as more and more people receive Scripture in a language they understand. The fruits of Bible translation help resolve social problems that range from literacy rates to crime rates. In a recent study, the Center for Bible Engagement found a correlation between a working familiarity with Scripture and the reduction in destructive behavior. Between first-hand knowledge and proven research, we have long realized the need for a campaign to end Bible poverty."

The Seed Company has indentified two major causes of Bible poverty:

• Access to Scripture -- In addition to the 340 million individuals worldwide who live without God's Word in their own language, hundreds of millions more have limited access in oral cultures.
   
• Oppression -- Cultures and governments where authorities attempt to prevent access to God's Word.

The free Sacrificial Giving App raises awareness of these issues and also provides a way for people to make small sacrifices for the greater cause. By merging modern technology with the ancient practice of fasting to become closer to God, the application enables users to integrate support for the Great Commission into their daily lives.

Participants can forego certain foods or activities on a regular basis. The user can customize a list of items that they desire to fast. The value of fasted items will then be donated to support Bible translation.

"By uniting faith and technology, we now have a phone application that will give Americans the ability to help fulfill the Great Commission -- right at their fingertips," Peterson said. "For the price of a cup of coffee, we can collectively help transform millions of lives."

To learn more about the campaign and download the new mobile app, visit www.EndBiblePoverty.org.  Additionally, a special kickoff event will take place at Disney's Night of Joy, Sept. 9-10.

The Seed Company works with approximately 260 like-minded organizations, including other affiliates of Wycliffe Bible Translators, the American Bible Society, the JESUS Film, Faith Comes By Hearing and Passion Conferences, to deliver greater access to God's Word, thereby helping to eliminate Bible poverty.

About The Seed Company
Founded in 1993 by Wycliffe Bible Translators, The Seed Company has become the fastest-growing Bible translation organization in the world with nearly 700 projects underway or completed. The Seed Company was established to develop innovative ways to more rapidly, efficiently and accurately translate the Bible for people groups who do not have it in their heart language by working with local translators and leveraging emerging technology that is used in remote locations around the world. For more information, visit www.TheSeedCompany.org.