28 Nov Doug Birdsall Moving to the American Bible Society

S. Douglas Birdsall, a United Brethren preacher’s kid, has been selected as the next president of the American Bible Society. He starts March 1.

In 2004, Birdsall became CEO and Executive Chair of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (now called the Lausanne Movement). He anticipates that his replacement as CEO will be chosen in early 2013. He will continue as Executive Chair unti June 2013.

Birdsall’s roots go deep in the United Brethren church. His parents, Roger and Mary Lou Birdsall, served in the United Brethren pastorate for many years. His brother Brent is a former UB pastor and missionary, and his brother Brian is part of the Global Ministries overseas staff (serving with Campus Crusade in Ukraine).

Doug will be the second United Brethren to helm the American Bible Society. Dr. Eugene Habecker left his post as President of Huntington University in 1991 to become president of the ABS, serving in that role until 2005.

The stated mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message.The ABS, headquartered in New York City on Manhattan, produces and distributes Scripture around the world, working with numerous national Bible societies. They are involved in Bible translation projects, and are well-known for spearheading two modern English translations, the Good News Bible and the more recent Contemporary English Version.