FORT WORTH, Tex. — EEM, one of the world’s largest Bible distribution ministries, has announced a major expansion of its leadership team following years of unprecedented growth.
Dirk Smith was named President of EEM USA after previously serving as Vice President, and Bartosz Rybinski was appointed Executive Director of EEM Eurasia following a board meeting in Dallas this week.
Over the past decade, EEM has grown from distributing over 400,000 Bibles and other resources per year to more than two million, reaching 37 countries in 34 languages, free to all.
The changes come following growing demand for Scripture in some of the world’s most restricted regions, including Iran, where EEM recently spoke of a potential “historic opportunity” to place Bibles into the hands of millions if access to Scripture expands.
“Our goal has always been seeing lives transformed through the message of Jesus,” said Smith following his appointment.
“I’m deeply honored by the trust placed in me and humbled to help lead a ministry that has spent decades putting God’s Word into the hands of people around the world. Every Bible distributed represents a person, a family or even an entire community gaining access to hope, often for the very first time.”
Founded in 1961, EEM’s results are proven, working through a network of more than 3,000 ministry partners to place Scripture directly into the hands of people actively seeking it.
Bartosz “Bart” Rybinski, formerly EEM’s Vice President of European Operations, has played a key role in the expansion on the ground.
“It is an honor to help expand EEM’s ministry across Eurasia,” he said after his new appointment was announced. “As we share the Good News with more nations and new territories, it is vital that our structure reflects that reality so we can more effectively respond to the needs and requests for God’s Word. I am deeply grateful to the Board for their confidence, and to the European Team that makes all of this possible.”
“We’re the ‘best kept secret’ when it comes to Bible distribution,” said EEM CEO Bob Burckle, “God continues to open new doors for ministry, making this leadership expansion especially timely. Dirk and Bart have both demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep commitment to the mission and a passion for ensuring people receive God’s Word. The best days for EEM are still to come.”
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For more information, visit www.eem.org
For press images: EEM Leaders.
About EEM
EEM was established in 1961 as ‘Eastern European Mission’ to provide Bibles and Bible-based materials throughout the former communist bloc countries in Eastern Europe. Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments, including Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and Bible activity books, distributing them through a network of more than 3,000 ministry partners across 37 countries in 34 languages. Last year, the ministry distributed more than two million Bibles and biblical resources free of charge. EEM is an accredited member of ECFA. Learn more at eem.org.
Contact:
Victoria Johnson
A. Larry Ross & Associates
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