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About Us

A Legacy Of Sharing
God’s Word

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." 
– Isaiah 40:8
The Gospel is Our Mission

Answering The Call To Win Others For Christ

For those on mission to share the Gospel, The Gideons International is an evangelical association that equips and mobilizes Christian business and professional men, along with their wives, to increase their impact in winning others for Jesus Christ worldwide. 

Our single mission is to win others for the Lord Jesus Christ by strengthening one another, sharing the Gospel message, and distributing copies of God’s Word in hotels, hospitals, shelters, and other places where people often seek hope.

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A Unique Experience

Grow in Faith, Share the Gospel,    Change Lives

Members who faithfully engage in the opportunities provided through The Gideons experience the life-changing power of the Gospel—not only in the lives they touch, but also in their own. As they share the hope of God’s Word, they grow in faith and deepen their dependence on the Lord to accomplish His purposes. 

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Strengthening One Another

Members encourage and support one another through meaningful fellowship and mutual accountability.

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Spreading the Gospel Message

As members grow stronger in their faith, they utilize the resources available to share the Gospel in their daily interactions. By seizing God-ordained opportunities to spread His message in the traffic lanes of life, they expand their impact for Christ.

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Sharing God’s Word

Gideons expand their reach through sharing copies of God's Word in places where people are seeking hope, transforming lives in their communities and beyond.

Transforming Lives Through God’s Word

Over 2.6 Billion Lives Impacted Worldwide

In partnership with local churches in the more than 12,000 areas where we serve worldwide, The Gideons International has reached over 2.6 billion people with hope of the Gospel. With more than 240,000 Gideons and Auxiliary members dedicated to this mission, we know that it is not merely about placing a book into someone’s hands—it is about seeing God’s Word take root in hearts and transform lives.

Give now and make an eternal impact.
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Over 125 Years of the Lord’s Faithfulness

Founded in 1899, The Gideons International serves as an extended missionary arm of the church. Here are just a few of the major milestones from the history of our Association.

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1898

Founders John Nicholson & Samuel Hill pray about the need for Christian businessmen to fellowship together in strengthening their faith and sharing their witness while traveling.

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1899

Led by the Holy Spirit, Nicholson, Hill, & W.J. Knights choose a name for their new association: The Gideons.

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1908

The first order for a Hotel Bible to be placed by The Gideons is made by a Gideon for the Superior Hotel in Superior, Montana.
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1934

Wives of Gideons (The Auxiliary) first share Bibles at women’s homes, hospitals, and Y.W.C.A.s.
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1941

On December 2, 1941, some of the first Service Testaments from The Gideons were distributed to the U.S. Navy personnel at Pearl Harbor.

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1946

Gideons begin distributing Testaments to 5th-12th grade school students.

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1950

South Africa becomes the first country organized on the African continent. Japan becomes the first country organized in Asia.
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1978

The first Scripture blitz ever conducted by The Gideons takes place in

Mexico City, Mexico.

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2001

The one-billionth copy of God’s Word was placed by The Gideons.

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2024

Gideons conduct the first-ever international Scripture blitz (ISB) in Cambodia, distributing over 100,400 Scriptures in Phnom Penh.

A History to Remember

The rich heritage and global impact of The Gideons International is an exciting story. Witness to History presents the founding principles, key people, opportunities, and trials that shaped the ministry’s growth and influence for over 120 years. This book takes you behind the scenes, decade by decade, and shows you the heart of the men and women who have provided more than 2.5 billion copies of God’s Word and steadfastly shared the Gospel for more than a century.
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Join Us in Our Life-
Changing Mission.

How might God be calling you to become part of our mission to win others for the Lord Jesus Christ? Whether you support by joining Friends of Gideons, partnering with your church, becoming a member, or getting involved in another way, God can use you to make an eternal impact. To learn more, click the button below.