B IBLE ENGAGEMENT

ANNUAL REPORT
For Fiscal Year July 1, 2010June 30, 2011

Roger Sonstroem, SU USA Board Chairman

Dear Friend of Scripture Union,

Whitney T. Kuniholm, SU USA President

With gratitude to God, we offer this report of Scripture Union USAs ministry for the fiscal year July 1, 2010June 30, 2011. God has greatly blessed Scripture Union and we can only say, in humility, Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness (Psa. 115:1). Bible Engagement, helping people of all ages take in and live out Gods Word, is the core of SUs ministry. Scripture Unions Bible Engagement Ministry for adults is centered on publication of daily Bible reading guides (Discovery and Encounter with God) and the Essential programs (Essential 100 and Essential Jesus). This ministry continues to engage more and more people in Gods Word each day, especially through the E100 and now the Essential Jesus Bible reading programs. Bible engagement for children takes place primarily through the PrimeTime after-school outreach and SuperKids, SUs summer outreach program. Both minister primarily to urban, at-risk children and, as this report shows, are continuing to grow in scope and impact. In addition, the new Pittsburgh/Great Lakes regional office will soon expand SUs Bible engagement ministry to both children and adults even more. Although the economic climate is still challenging, the Financial Overview will show that God has blessed Scripture Union financially in the past year. An audited financial statement is available on request. As we look back over Gods blessings this past year, we can only affirm again what the psalmist said: Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness.

Roger Sonstroem

Whitney T. Kuniholm

SU USA Board of Directors

Executive Committee: Roger Sonstroem, Chairman Frank Taylor, Vice Chairman E.J. Rittersbach, Secretary Steven Ross, Treasurer Frank Barker Bradley DeForest Patricia Dunbar William T. Ensslen Paula George Beverley Grant Gordon Haresign D. Christopher Miller Bruce Poulterer Betty Purchase Thomas Riley Sara Robertson Ronda Shelton Allen Swann David W. Young, III

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Scripture Union USA P.O. Box 215 Valley Forge, PA 19481-0215 www.ScriptureUnion.org

Bible Engagement Ministry

From its very beginning, Scripture Unions ministry has focused on Bible Engagement: helping people of all ages read and interact with the Bible so that it shapes their daily lives. That ministry is carried out through the publication and distribution of daily Bible reading guides (Discovery and Encounter with God for adults, Snapshots for children), programs to introduce people to the Bible and aid them in reading through it (The Essential 100 and The Essential Jesus) and ministries to introduce children to Gods Word and Jesus Christ (PrimeTime and SuperKids).

B iBle M inistry

Bible Engagement for Adults

Each quarter during the past fiscal year, SU distributed 34,500 printed daily Bible reading guides and saw a steady increase in those who receive the guides on-line (to a current total of 15,000 daily). Recognizing the need to continuously improve and extend the reach of its Bible engagement materials, Scripture Union unveiled, in January, 2010, a complete re-design of its flagship daily Bible reading guides, Discovery and Encounter with God. It was the first such re-design in 25 years. A web-based survey allowed readers to offer comments on the new format, and those comments were incorporated in subsequent publications. The booklets are now much more appealing to the eye and easier to read although the content remains the same in-depth, reliable Biblecentered material as always.

The Global Ministry of the Essential Programs

The Essential 100 (E100) is Scripture Unions popular readthrough-the Bible program. Since its introduction, God has used the Essential 100 (E100) Challenge to help people in this country and around the world get the big picture of the Bible and develop the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer. Over 2,000 churches in this country and many more around the world have taken the E100 Challenge. In addition, organizations such as the American Bible Society, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and others have printed special editions of the E100 Bible reading schedule to use with their own constituencies.

In some cases, entire geographical groups of churches took the E100 Challenge together year last year. In Pittsburgh, the entire Anglican Diocese (48 churches and 5000 congregants), at the request of their Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan , began the E100 last September and will finish it at the end of August, 2011. Similarly, the 120 churches of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, NY, took the E100 Challenge during the 2010 Lenten season. In the past year, the E100 was also in use in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica, Peru, Argentina and the Solomon Islands. Plans and preparations are underway to introduce the E100 to China, Norway and France, also. Momentum began to build this past year for the Essential Jesus Challenge, also. It features 100 Bible passages that take a person through the Bibles greatest story, the story of Jesus. It is quickly becoming the preferred follow-up to the E100 and is already in use in many churches in this country. It began in May in New Zealand (in over 150 churches), which had a very successful nationwide E100 campaign in 2009-10, involving over 20% of the nations churches.

B iBle M inistry

Childrens E100
The Big Bible Challenge, a childrens version of the E100, was released at the end of the fiscal year and is meeting with such demand that it is already in its second printing. This colorfully illustrated, 128 page book can be used by parents, grandparents or other adults working with children ages 6 13 and is ideally suited for homeschoolers, Christians schools and Sunday Schools. Work has also begun on E100 versions for youth and for couples. These additional resources will enable Scripture Union to help many more people here and around the world especially the next generationmeet God every day in the Bible and prayer.

New, Expanded Web Ministry

Last Fall, SU unveiled an entirely new, website that provides users quicker and easier access to SUs many Bible reading resources and is more visually appealing, also. All the familiar SU resources were still available but some important new ones were added.

Now, Encounter with God users are able to download the Encounter with GodExtra weekly group discussion questions directly from the site at no charge (DiscoveryExtra has been available for free download for over a year). In addition, two seasonal Bible reading guides, Journey to the Cross (for Lent) and Journey to Bethlehem (for Advent) were made available by daily email. That so many people chose to receive these guides speaks to the usefulness of these web-based resources in helping people grow in faith during special seasons of the year. There are plans to introduce at least one more of these seasonal guides in the year ahead.

B iBle M inistry
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Bible Engagement for Children

The SuperKids Outreach Ministry
The SuperKids outreach continued its growth and effectiveness this past year. During the summer of 2010, 90 SuperKids outreach missions (up from 81 in 2009a 10% increase) were held in major urban areas and beach resorts all across the country. The programs feature Bible stories, skits, small group Bible studies, games, contests and prizes. Overall, there were more than 30,000 daily participating children. The curriculum, Good News for You, was based on the Gospel of Luke and designed around a lively Action News format that explained the Good News about Jesus in a fast moving, child-friendly manner. SUs regional field staff coordinate and provide training for SuperKids missions. One of the most significant features of the SuperKids program in 2010 was the survey that was conducted by the Barna Group, a nationally respected research firm. Both the children (mostly at-risk, urban children) who attended SuperKids and the adult volunteer staff were surveyed. The results of the program, 85% of the children felt more loved by God and over 80% said they learned new things about God and Jesus.

Childrens Ministry

Key Barna Finding #1: At-Risk Children Want to Follow Jesus

Other results reported by Barna showed that 77% of the children attending learned more about the Bible and nearly 80% say they discovered that they want to follow Jesus. Three-quarters reported that they learned right from wrong and how to stay out of trouble. In fact, the Barna report stated that without exception, every single belief about Jesus that was tested among the program participants experienced an increase from pre-test to post-test results.

Research affirms that children both learn a lot and have a lot of fun at SuperKids missions.

What motivated the children to attend SuperKids? About seven out of ten heard that it was a lot of fun. That positive feeling about the program largely remained after it was over, with two-thirds describing SuperKids as a fun place to hang out and a good place to make new friends.

Key Barna Finding #2: Committed Volunteers Make the Difference

The childrens reactions to attending SuperKids were strongly affirmed by the adult volunteer staff, also. Barnas research found that 75% of adult leaders and volunteer staff felt that SuperKids makes Bible learning fun for children. Over 80% said that SuperKids helps children know more about Jesus. In fact, Barna concluded that The highest rating of SuperKids attributesfrom leaders and volunteers was regarding the programs ability to help children learn more about Jesus.

Childrens Ministry

SuperKids volunteers give themselves to children and make a real difference in many young lives.

In the summer of 2011, the SuperKids curriculum will be Who is Jesus?, based on the Gospel of John.

The PrimeTime Outreach Ministry

PrimeTime is Scripture Unions Bible-based after school outreach to primarily urban, at-risk children. It, too, continued a steady growth in scope and impact. This past school year there were 105 PrimeTime outreach programs (up from 88 the year before) in 20 states around the country in cities from New York City to Philadelphia to Dallas and the Seattle, WA area. Approximately 2200 children were involved in PrimeTime each week. Each year brings new reports of the significant impact that PrimeTime has on lives of the children who attend. One such exciting report came from a Salvation Army sponsored PrimeTime in Philadelphia. The staff there said We first met Ebony in the summer of 2010. Ebony is eleven years old and came to our summer Vacation Bible School on her own. She was extremely shy and quiet when we first met her. She would rarely speak or make eye contact with adults. There was a sadness reflected in Ebonys face that caused us to wonder about her life outside of our building.

These are just some of the children who learn Gods Word each week in PrimeTime.

When PrimeTime began this fall, Ebony was among the first to register and has had very consistent attendance ever since. 7

Before long, she began speaking more and smiling more, too. One of the times we always hear Ebony speak up is when reciting memory verses. In time, Ebony accepted Jesus Christ and began attending church services and Sunday School. Most recently, Ebony completed six weeks of classes designed for junior church membership in The Salvation Army. God used that PrimeTime program to work wonderfully in the life of that young girl! The comments of young David (seven years old) are another example of the impact of PrimeTime on the life of a child. David attends a PrimeTime in White Plains, NY near New York City. Heres what he said: My experience at PrimeTime is real cool and fun because I learn a lot about God. Sometimes I will help the other kids turn to the right passage in the Bible. I like the stories we do because when we read them I would sometimes learn more and more about God. It makes me happy when I see kids reading the Bible and listening to the story. David is not only learning more PrimeTime staff not only teach Gods love for children about God and his Word but the joy of but they demonstrate it, too. helping other children learn that, too. The PrimeTime curriculum provides lessons for a full 40 week school year. A typical PrimeTime program includes not only a Bible lesson, but recreation, snacks, singing and homework help.

Childrens Ministry

Regional Expansion
During the past year, the ground work was laid for opening the new Pittsburgh/Great Lakes Region early in fiscal year 2011-12. Pittsburgh will serve as the regional headquarters and hub for future expansion throughout Southwestern PA and other neighboring states. Pittsburgh/Great Lakes will join the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and South Central regions as bases for spreading the ministry of SU around the country. Future plans call for 7-8 regional offices. The first major effort in the new region is expected to begin in the latter part of 2011 and continue through 2013. The objective is to promote and launch a Citywide Bible Reading Initiative involving hundreds of churches and helping thousands of people experience the Bibles life changing message. This includes a specific focus to reach the introduce at-risk children, who are outside the orbit of the church, to the Bible and God's love. Leaders of many of the major area denominations are expected to participate in this initiative.
Regional Ministry Strategy

Pittsburgh

Financial Overview
We thank God for the faithful prayers and support of individual members and partners who stand with us to help people meet God every day. Scripture Union is committed to maintain the highest standards in all areas of our ministry and especially to demonstrate to a watching world that our financial management is conducted with godly integrity and the highest of ethical conduct. Our commitment to integrity is demonstrated by: Continuous membership in ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) since its inception 30 years ago. An annual independent financial audit. The audited financial statements are available upon request.

Financial Overview

We are also committed to using every dollar as effectively as possible to further the mission and ministry of Scripture Union.

Financial Results
Despite the challenging economic conditions during this period, Scripture Union finished the Fiscal year 2011 with a surplus of $177,056. This is, indeed, a great blessing from God and we can only say again, Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Following are charts and figures which outline SUs finances for the recently completed fiscal year. For a copy of the Audited Financial Statement, please email Info@ScriptureUnion.org or call 1-800-621-LAMP (5267), ext. 405

Income For Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2011 $2,525,526

Financial Overview

24%

26%

Gifts and Memberships Sales and other income Regional Fund Raising and Support Grants and Special Projects Gifts for SU Around the World 13% 29% 8%

Expenses for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010 $2,348,470
6% 7% 34% Bible Reading Ministry Children's and Regional Ministry International Ministry 31% Fundraising and Development General and Administrative

22%

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About Scripture Union

History and Mission
Scripture Union began in 1867 when a young Englishman named Josiah Spiers took the radical step of sharing Gods Word with children on a beach. A few years later, a volunteer named Annie Marsten printed lists of Bible passages for the children to read after the beach missions. Soon, over 500,000 children around the world were reading the Bible in Scripture Union groups. From that small beginning, Scripture Union has expanded to 130 national movements worldwide, each with indigenous leadership and the same two-fold mission: a) To encourage people of all ages to meet God daily through the Bible and prayer, and b) To make Gods Good News known to children, young people and their families.

About scripture Union

In the United States

Scripture Union/USA began in 1959 and is located in Valley Forge, PA. Over the years, in addition to publishing Bible reading guides for all ages, Scripture Union/USA has developed an innovative set of outreach programs designed to reach the unique mission field in the United States. SuperKids. A program for creatively presenting the Good News of Jesus and Gods Word to un-churched children, wherever they are.

PrimeTime. A Bible-based after school program for at-risk children, developed in partnership with The Salvation Army.

The Essential 100 Challenge. A church-wide Bible reading program using 100 selected passages to give the Bibles big picture.

The Essential Jesus Challenge. A church-wide Bible reading program telling the story of Jesus from both Old and New Testaments.

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W HAT C HRISTIAN L EADERS A RE S AYING

AboutScripture Union
Billy Graham I am totally, completely and forever a Scripture Union man. Luis Palau Scripture Union made me realize the importance of the word of God. John Stott Scripture Union taught me the discipline of daily Bible reading. N. T. Wright I wouldnt be the person I am today withoutScripture Union. Jill Briscoe I heartily endorse this ministry

AboutThe Essential 100 Challenge

Christianity Today E100 provides an excellent overview of Gods big picture. Charles W. Colson I am encouraged by E100. Many will be helped by the choice of texts. John Guest Spectacular introduction to the great passages and characters of the Bible. Eugene Habecker E100 helps you enjoy going through the entire message of the Bible.

P.O. Box 215 Valley Forge, PA 19481-0215 www.ScriptureUnion.org 1-800-621-LAMP (5267)