New Jersey teens provide Bibles through creative outreach

Through the dedicated efforts of Vigilant Multimedia and Entertainment (VME) and Christian hip hop music artists Urban Chronicles, more than 300 New Jersey teens recently raised funds to help the Bible League send 152 Bibles to Africa and 131 Bibles to India.

"I first heard about Bible League on WFIL 560 out of Philadelphia," said Miguel Ortiz Jr., founder and executive director of VME. "Talk show host Mark Daniels had just returned from a Bible League trip to Africa. He was telling about the need for Bibles there." That was Ortiz's inspiration for the "One Ticket, One Bible to Africa" benefit emphasis of the December 2004 Urban Chronicles Concert in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

This year, when it was time for Urban Chronicles' first album release concert, the group and the promoters once again remembered people who are still waiting for their first Bible. At the free concert, a special offering was taken to send Bibles to India. "When we counted the offering, I realized that these inner city young people had given everything they had so that more could hear the Word," Ortiz said.

Bible League is assisting his efforts by providing materials so that young concert audiences will learn more about the worldwide need for Bibles, and how they can make a difference. Sue Olson, marketing administrator for Bible League, is excited about Ortiz's work. "It's exciting to see that, with Miguel's help, we're reaching a new audience about the need to share the Gospel," Olson said. "Their enthusiasm is helping to send the Word of God to so many."

"Everyone who is a part of this music ministry does it part-time," Ortiz said. "All of us have full-time jobs. This is a non-profit ministry that gives all the glory to God." VME is planning a future benefit concert to provide Bibles for Latin America.

“I realized that these inner city young people had given everything they had so that more could hear the Word”

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"Praise God for this wonder and for the response to faith that is being seen at the ends of the earth."
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