The Book that Everyone Read During World War I

SWINDON, England, July 28, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- 100 years ago, on 28 July 1914, the first shots of World War I were fired. Over the following four years, 16 million lives were lost as 65 million men from 32 countries were drawn into the conflict. The book that was read and cherished by people on both sides of the conflict was the Bible. To commemorate the First World War centenary, Bible Society in England and Wales has been looking back at its records to trace the extent and impact of its Scripture distribution during the war years. What they have found is impressive: despite many logistical challenges, it distributed more than nine million Scriptures in 80 languages to members of the Armed Forces and prisoners of war on all sides. But what brings the figures to life are the stories of how those Scriptures impacted the lives of people living through one of the darkest periods in recent history - and how they are treasured as family heirlooms today. Bible Society has shared some of those stories on its World War I microsite. "There is no other book that was as widely owned or read in the trenches," notes Dr Michael Snape, Reader in Religion, War and Society at the University of Birmingham in the UK. "There are poignant stories from the Battle of the Somme of bodies being recovered from shell holes of men who died with a New Testament in their hands." Arthur Ingham's Bible, which he carried in the top pocket of his uniform, literally saved his life when it shielded him from a piece of shrapnel at the Somme. "He said he would have definitely been killed were it not for this Bible," says Philip Douetil, a family friend who now owns the shrapnel-damaged Bible. "He was a religious man after that. He wasn't beforehand, but he became a regular churchgoer." Bible Society distributors walked long distances and braved many dangers during the war. In Belgrade, Serbia, 71-year-old Wilhelm Lichtenberger carried heavy loads of Bibles to Armed Forces and medical personnel despite heavy bombardments. For more stories, and to find out about - Hear My Cry - a special book to mark the World War I centenary, visit the Bible Society's World War I microsite. Photos for download: bit.ly/1k3X8iI The United Bible Societies is made up of 146 Bible Societies operating in over 200 countries and territories. www.unitedbiblesocieties.org

'Great Strides' in Bible Translation and Scripture Access in 2013

SWINDON, England, July 24, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- New Bible translations in 18 languages spoken by 15 million people were published by Bible Societies and their partners in 2013. This is one of the highlights of the United Bible Societies' Global Scripture Access Report, which has just been released. The report, produced annually, keeps track of Bible Society translation projects and the rapidly increasing availability of Scriptures through the United Bible Societies' Digital Bible Library ® - one of the world's largest collections of digitised Scriptures with over 600 languages spoken by over 4 billion people. Last year's launches - most of them full Bibles - included 10 first-time translations, giving over 4 million people the potential to access Scripture (or more Scripture) in their heart language for the first time. Seven of the first-time translations were full Bibles. Eight languages received new or updated translations to help modern-day speakers connect with God's Word more easily. 511 languages now have a full Bible. Nearly 1,300 languages have the New Testament and over 800 have some portion of Scripture. More than 4,000 languages still have no Scripture at all. United Bible Societies prioritises the translation of the full Bible and has provided around three-quarters of the world's Bibles. Last year it initiated the '100 Bibles in 1000 days' campaign to see 100 translations completed by the end of 2015. Significant progress has been made with more than half completing the translation stage, with 15 already published and 43 in printing or pre-production. The 100 languages are spoken by 500 million people. "It is so encouraging to see the great strides being made in translating Scripture into more languages and in making it increasingly accessible." notes Alexander Schweitzer, Head of United Bible Societies Global Bible Translation. "Bible Societies, in partnership with other Bible agencies, are working hard to complete over 500 translation projects to give more people the opportunity to encounter the life-changing power of God's Word. We pray for the hundreds of dedicated translation teams working around the world that God will give them wisdom and strength for their vital work." For further information about United Bible Societies' translation work, go to:www.unitedbiblesocieties.org/sample-page/bible-translation An infographic can be downloaded here: bit.ly/1rGvDMd United Bible Societies is a fellowship of Bible Societies operating in more than 200 countries and territories. Together, they are the world's biggest translator, publisher and distributor of the Bible. To find out more, visit www.unitedbiblesocieties.org.

Legacy Five: Are You Ready?

From Legacy Five's email newsletter of April 25, 2013:


This week finds us on our annual April West Coast run. It's always wonderful making this trip and getting to see all of our friends along the way. We wanted to let everyone know that our Perris, CA date scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 27th has been cancelled.

The first of May will be taking us overseas to England, Scotland and Ireland! We look forward to returning and seeing many of you at the first Praisefest Niagara in Ontario, Canada!

Until then, stay faithful to the cross!
Scott, Howie, Gus, Trey & Matt


"Recently, our nation was reminded once again just how tragic the end result is when troubled and misguided young men adopt an irrational, violent, misguided radical ideology" .... CLICK HERE to continue reading


A Three Day Event...ARE YOU READY? ...A Lifetime Experience
Ring in the new year with us at the luxurious Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Come enjoy a fantastic lineup of Gospel Music in a magnificent setting! Reserve Online.

Celebration NYE offers an experience that will create memories to last a lifetime! We have put together special package pricing for Celebration NYE that allows you to experience the luxury of this world class resort with over two million twinkling lights and stunning Christmas displays throughout. Explore nine acres of lush indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls and an indoor river with a Delta flatboat.
You won't believe what you'll find under one roof!
Three days of Gospel Music, Christian Comedy & Inspirational speaking!
Reserve by phone: 1-877-222-6779
For more info visit: celebrationNYE.com


It's just around the corner ... Praisefest Niagara Falls!

Purchase tickets here


Here are our tour dates for the month of May. Please call ahead before traveling long distances. We appreciate your prayers for us as we travel! For more info visit the schedule page on our website HERE
5/02 Belfast, Ireland EUR Glenmachen Church
5/03 Perth, Scotland EUR Perth Concert Hall
5/04 Perth, Scotland EUR Perth Concert Hall
5/05 Perth, Scotland EUR Perth Concert Hall
5/18 Richmond IN First Baptist Church
5/19 Wilmington OH Bible Baptist Church
5/23 Niagara Falls ON Praisefest Niagara Falls
5/24 Niagara Falls ON Praisefest Niagara Falls
5/25 Niagara Falls ON Praisefest Niagara Falls

STAY IN TOUCH

visit us online at www.legacyfive.com
Legacy Five | 4701 Moore Lane | Culleoka | TN | 38451

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF COUNTRY MUSIC RETURNS TO LONDON AFTER OVER 20 YEARS!

REBA McENTIRE
RICKY SKAGGS, LONESTAR,
LITTLE BIG TOWN & MANY MORE...

WEMBLEY ARENA, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26TH 2012
Tickets on sale October 10th
Nashville,TN (October 6, 2011) -After a 20-year break, the pioneering and much loved International Festival of Country Music returns to Wembley Arena on Sunday, February 26th, 2012. The stellar line-up features the very best in country, roots and bluegrass music.

In a rare UK appearance, international country superstar Reba McEntire will headline the all day festival. With a career that spans over five decades and includes two Grammy Awards, 55 million worldwide album sales and 63 U.S. top ten hits, Reba is one of the biggest selling female artists of all time. Having last performed in the UK 12 years ago, the Wembley appearance will give British fans a rare opportunity to enjoy a true legend, live on the London stage.

Reba will be joined by fourteen-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs, a country trailblazer who struck his first chords on a mandolin over 52 years ago. Ricky, who has collaborated with numerous artists including Bruce Hornsby, Emmylou Harris and Jack White, will be bringing his own inimitable take on bluegrass and roots music to the festival.

Feted country music band Lonestar, who first made their debut on the Billboard country music charts in 1995, are also featured on the bill. Lonestar have gained international respect and acclaim with ten number one singles on the U.S. country charts alone. British fans will instantly recognize their song 'Amazed' which spent eight weeks at number 1 on the Billboard chart.

Joining the headliners will be critically acclaimed quartet Little Big Town, who are also making their international debut at this event. As a band renowned for breaking new musical ground, Little Big Town have sold over 1.5 million records and garnered four Grammy nominations over the past twelve years.

In addition to the four headliners, the festival will host an impressive array of supporting acts including; country and rockabilly legend, Narvel Felts, the "King of Cajun" Jo-El Sonnier and Texas-born George Ducas. The full line-up also features George Hamilton IV, Will Banister, Raymond Froggatt and John McNicholl, with more acts to be announced shortly.

The International Festival of Country Music ran for 23 years from 1969 to 1991 at Wembley Arena. The shows, promoted by the legendary Mervyn Conn, were the first to introduce country music to the British public and featured a host of (now) legendary artists including; Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, Crystal Gayle and many more.

International Festival of Country Music founder and CEO of MM Events Ltd., Mervyn Conn said: "I'm bringing the International Festival of Country Music back after over twenty years due to popular demand. The regard for Country Music has grown significantly in the UK since the first year I promoted this event and I believe that now is the time to reintroduce this once hugely popular event to converted fans of country music and to a new and emerging group of country music lovers. I have also brought back Trisha Walker-(Cunningham) who worked with me for 10 years in the early days and is my Company President in the USA."

Reba McEntire comments; "My band, crew and I are really looking forward to going back to Europe to play our music. The last time we performed there was in 1999! We have been very busy for the last 10 years doing the REBA TV show and concerts in North America. Now, we are so excited to be able to travel abroad and do both our new and old songs for our European audience, who has always been so good to us."

After the Wembley date, the festival will travel to Belfast, Zurich and Germany.

Wembley Tickets will go on sale from Monday October 10th, 2011

Tickets can be purchased via;
General Box Office: 0844 815 0815
Accessible seating: 020 8782 5629
Online: www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Additional dates and venues;
Belfast: Odyssey Arena - 29/02/12
Zurich: Hallenstadion - 02/03/12
Mannheim: SAP Arena - 04/03/12