Greg Jao Joins IFBR Board of Advisors

We’re glad to announce that Greg Jao has accepted our invitation to join our Board of Advisors.

Greg serves as the Executive Vice President, Communications & Mobilization for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. Prior to his ministry with InterVarsity, he was an employee benefits attorney in Chicago.

He is the author of Your Mind’s Mission (IVP) and The Kingdom of God LifeGuide Bible Study (IVP) and a contributing author to Following Jesus Without Dishonoring Your Parents (IVP), Educating about Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement: A Handbook for Student Affairs (Stylus), Telling the Truth (Zondervan), and Voices of Conflict (Adama Books) and Voices of Hope (Adama Books). He also currently serves on the boards of Wheaton College and the Evangelical Covenant Church.

“After nearly 30 years in campus ministry, I’m convinced nothing transforms lives more than immersion in the Scriptures. That’s why the fundamental building block of every InterVarsity chapter is a small group bible study and the core skill we teach every student is how to study the Scriptures. And that’s why I’m so committed to the work of the Institute for Bible Reading.

The Institute harnesses current research into the ways this generation actually reads to develop new resources and fresh approaches so that more people will read Scripture more frequently, more attentively, and more transformatively. And that – in an age where politicians and pundits may be evangelizing and discipling people more frequently than a weekly message from the pulpit – is something we should long for and should invest in.”

Immerse Featured on the Bible Review Blog

Tim Wildsmith from the Bible Review Blog recently published a video review of Immerse: The Reading Bible on his website and YouTube channel.

Before Tim recorded this review, we had the chance to sit down with him to share the history behind Immerse and the vision for how it can transform individuals and communities. We think he did a great job of articulating those things in this review, as well as pointing out the various features and benefits of Immerse.

NLT Immerse Reading Bible – Full Review

Reading and Living the Bible Well: Our New Course with Seminary Now

We’re excited to announce the launch of Reading and Living the Bible Well, our first online course produced in partnership with Seminary Now. Take a look at the trailer here:

Reading and Living the Bible Well - Seminary Now Trailer

The nine-part video course is taught by Glenn Paauw, our Senior Director of Content, and it’s based on his book Saving the Bible From Ourselves. Here’s the course outline:

Session 1: Embarking
Session 2: Complicated or Elegant?
Session 3: Snacking or Feasting?
Session 4: Magic or History?
Session 5: Snippets or Story?
Session 6: Escape or Renew?
Session 7: Alone or Together?
Session 8: Dismal or Splendid?
Session 9: Return

Reading and Living the Bible Well is one among many courses offered by Seminary Now, including courses by Scot McKnight, John Walton, Tish Harrison Warren, Esau McCaulley, and more.

Every Seminary Now subscription gives you full access to the entire catalog of courses, and every signup comes with a 7-day free trial. If you want to be introduced to a fresh new paradigm for engaging Scripture for all it’s worth, check out Reading and Living the Bible Well on Seminary Now. Enter coupon code IFBR at checkout for 20% off your subscription!

Institute for Bible Reading appoints next Executive Director

The Institute for Bible Reading has some exciting organizational news which I am pleased to share.

In accordance with a long-anticipated personal plan, I will be retiring as IFBR’s executive director on July 1, the month of my 70th birthday.

Our team has been aware of this plan, and our Board of Directors has engaged in a careful search process for my successor. I am delighted to announce that Alex Goodwin, our senior director of marketing communications, has been selected as IFBR’s next executive director, effective July 1, 2021.

Click here to read the full press release.

Many people have “met” Alex as one of the hosts of The Bible Reset podcast. We are excited that God has led us in this direction of younger leadership to build on the growing momentum from our organization’s first five years.

This movement is growing, lives are being changed, and we are filled with anticipation for how God will work in this coming season.

J.R. Briggs Joins IFBR Board of Advisors

We’re excited to welcome J.R. Briggs as the newest member of our Board of Advisors!

J.R. is the Founder of Kairos Partnerships, an organization dedicated to equipping and partnering with hungry leaders in their health and development. He also serves as an affiliate faculty member at Missio Seminary in Philadelphia and on the Board of Directors for Jerusalem University College.

He has authored several books including The Sacred Overlap and Fail.

“While the Bible is widely available, it is often misunderstood and neglected. I’m grateful for IFBR and its strategic, intentional, and creative work to equip people to engage with the entire story of Scripture. This vision is exciting and contagious, and it serves a significant need today. Few things are as important in our day and age than this effort.”

Our Senior Director of Content, Glenn Paauw, was recently interviewed on J.R.’s Monday Morning Pastor podcast. Check out his interview (which starts around 12:15) here: