Use your next challenge to change lives

The Activities for Bibles (A4B) fundraising platform makes it easy to raise funds for Bibles.

Every year, thousands of South Africans push themselves with personal challenges that test their endurance, determination and commitment.

Just this past weekend, thousands of athletes gathered at the start of the Comrades Marathon, ready to take on nearly 90 kilometres in one of the world’s most famous road races.

While reaching the finish line is a strong motivation, many participants are finding that their efforts can be even more significant.

Imagine if every kilometre you ran, every mountain you climbed, every pedal you pushed, or even every birthday you celebrated could help put a Bible in the hands of someone who does not have one.

That’s the idea behind the Bible Society of South Africa’s Activities for Bibles (A4B) fundraising platform.

What is Activities for Bibles (A4B)?

Activities for Bibles is an online fundraising platform through which individuals, churches, schools, companies and community groups can turn almost any activity into a fundraising campaign.

Participants set up a personal fundraising page, choose a goal and invite friends, family, colleagues and supporters to help fund Bible distribution and translation projects across South Africa.

The idea is simple: use something you already do to help change someone else’s life.

Whether you’re training for a marathon, joining a cycling event, organising a community walk, celebrating a birthday, hosting a golf day or taking on a personal challenge, your participation can support Bible ministry.

Why people fundraise

More and more people want their personal achievements to mean something significant beyond themselves.

A marathon medal eventually ends up in a drawer. A birthday comes and goes.

But when these moments are connected to a meaningful cause, their impact lasts longer than the brief satisfaction of personal achievement.

Personal challenges create a meaningful connection between individual effort and lasting, tangible impact. Supporters aren’t just giving to a cause – they become part of your story.

Every donation helps provide God’s Word to people who may never have a Bible otherwise.

Leon van Moerkerken is one person whose fundraising benefits from the A4B platform. As a veteran endurance athlete, Leon finished his 35th Comrades Marathon this year. He has been using A4B for nearly four years.

“The platform works really well. It is easy to register, upload your goal and edit it later for any new events. The built-in functionality makes it a breeze to send the link via e-mail or WhatsApp or upload it to social media. In addition to the support I get from across South Africa, I now receive sponsorships from Singapore, Australia, the USA, Europe and Ukraine,” he explains.

“The e-mails I receive whenever a new contribution is made, along with the records of these contributions, allow me to promptly thank my supporters and keep track of my fundraising goal.”

Bible ministry is close to Leon’s heart and he has been running to support Bible distribution for the past 33 years.

“Thirty-three years ago, a representative from the Bible Society visited our church. He told us about the Bible Society’s work and how people could get involved.

“To me, it is important that everyone knows about God and can read and learn more about him. That is why I decided to run for Bibles. In the past, you had to fill in a form, mail it to the Bible Society, which would then send you an official donation form to complete with your sponsors’ details and the amounts. This limited you to approaching only people you could engage face-to-face for support.”

Now Is the perfect time to get involved

The Comrades Marathon reminds us that big achievements happen one step at a time.

Not everyone can run the Comrades Marathon. In fact, most people can’t.

But everyone can do something.

You may be training for a parkrun, preparing for a cycling event, hiking a local trail, swimming for fitness or working towards a personal health goal.

You might be planning a school fundraiser, a church event or celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary.

The A4B fundraising platform allows you to turn everyday moments into chances to make a difference.

More than a book

When people hear about Bible distribution, they often just think of handing out books.

But it’s much more than that. For a child receiving their first Bible, it can become a source of guidance and hope.

For a language community, getting Scripture in their own language for the first time means dignity, identity and inclusion.

For someone going through a difficult time, grief, or uncertainty, the Bible can offer comfort and guidance during life’s toughest moments.

Translating and distributing the Bible ensures that people can experience God’s Word in a language and format they best understand.

Fundraising helps make this possible.

Anyone can participate

One of the best things about Activities for Bibles is how flexible it is. You don’t need to be an athlete. You don’t need to belong to a large organisation. You don’t need fundraising experience.

All you need is the willingness to use your talents, interests, skills, or personal goals to support a good cause.

Some people run. Some cycle. Some hike.

Others host events, organise workplace challenges, or ask friends to make donations instead of buying birthday gifts.

Every campaign is unique, but they all work toward the same goal: making the Bible available to more people.

Start your own challenge

The success of the Comrades Marathon shows what’s possible when people commit to a collective goal and take it one step at a time.

The same idea applies to fundraising. You don’t have to start with a big campaign. You just need to start.

Your next race, walk, ride, celebration, or challenge could help give Bibles to people who are eager to read God’s Word for themselves.

So, what activity could you turn into an opportunity to change lives? Visit the Activities for Bibles platform today to see how your next challenge can help put God’s Word into the hands of someone who needs it most.

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