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Our History & Mission
History
Open the Bible (formerly Unlocking the Bible) grew out of a two-year journey of preaching and reading through the Bible at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in 1999 and 2000. Colin Smith, now Senior Pastor at The Orchard, served as the preaching pastor throughout these two intentional years of reading through Scripture.
The journey led to the publication of a series of four books entitled Unlocking the Bible Story, followed by 10 Keys for Unlocking the Bible, Unlock the Bible in 30 Days, 10 Keys to Unlock the Christian Life, and The 10 Greatest Struggles of Your Life.
The daily broadcast was launched in 1999 and has seen steady growth throughout the years. Currently the radio program reaches 2.5 million listeners. In addition, through the use of podcasts, our mobile app, and social media, the ministry impacts millions of people around the world with its Gospel-centered content.
Mission
At Open the Bible, our mission is to multiply believers who are rooted in the word of God, growing in love for Christ and bearing fruit, around the world. Our goal is to accomplish this as we:
PROCLAIM Christ through media
- Radio: Each year, millions worldwide hear of Jesus Christ through Open the Bible.
- Social/Web: Our team delivers content through the Open the Bible mobile app, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our website. We aim to make available sound biblical content to people, wherever they are!
- Publishing: Open the Bible produces a variety of print resources (books, devotionals, small group studies) to edify Christians and mobilize them to share the Gospel.
MOBILIZE believers in evangelism
We believe that our goal to proclaim Christ through media leads us to mobilize believers in evangelism. Our initiatives to achieve this goal include:
- Heaven Book Series: Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near So Far
- Heaven Radio Drama
- Open the Bible Story
EQUIP leaders for the Church
As we proclaim the Gospel and mobilize believers in evangelism, this leads to the need to equip leaders for the Church.
Get Connected
Campuses in Arlington Heights, Barrington, Itasca, Marengo, Northfield, and Vernon Hills.
Colin Smith
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