Interview: International Bible Society Head Peter Bradley on His Retirement

|PIC1|The International Bible Society recently announced that its current president, Peter Bradley, will be retiring. During his six years as IBS president, the global Bible ministry launched new projects, found creative outlets for Scripture distribution, and set an almost unachievable goal to expand efforts and visions as IBS neared its 200th year. Bradley, who will be retiring once a new president is selected, told our Christian Today correspondent in the US some key elements to leadership and the direction of IBS.

Can you first explain the reason for your retirement?

I have a leadership philosophy. I think it's very healthy for leaders to continually look at how long they've been in a position and be prepared to say, "We now need to bring in a next generation of leaders with fresh ideas and perspective."

Organisations grow by leadership that's provided. When I saw I was 65 years old and we accomplished things, I signaled to the board that "Hey, it's time for me to move." A leader's responsibility is to make sure he doesn't stay too long. You really need to be looking down the road for the next visionary leaders to come in and to take what you've accomplished and move it to the next level. It's a very healthy thing for leaders to change over a period of time.

There were numerous new projects and accomplishments made at IBS under your leadership. Above all, a larger vision seemed to have been instilled in the ministry. What was your vision going into presidency in 2000 and looking at it now, do you feel you've fulfilled it?

|TOP|When I came in, my vision really was we are living in a unique decade. This is a decade where there's going to be a tremendous spiritual harvest all over the world and we agreed that the IBS direction would be to assist and help the church in that harvest field – to bring as many people in the KOG. Our role is to make sure we are translating and distributing accurate and contemporary translations in every part of the world to help bring that harvest in.

I really believe we were able to see a part of that vision fulfilled under my particular leadership. I feel really good that we're accelerating that vision and therefore feel it's time to bring new leadership who can fulfill that higher and faster than I can.

What would you say was your greatest achievement during your six years as IBS president?

A couple of achievements I feel very good I was a part of is the ability to focus our outreach on children and youth around the world. The Reach 4 Life and the new TNIV were a significant part of that outreach plan.

And the greatest challenge?

I think probably the greatest challenge was trying to distribute the Bible in parts of the world where there were huge barriers – political barriers, financial barriers, illiteracy and physical barriers, like how do you get a Bible into the rural parts of China where they don't have infrastructure. As we looked at those barriers, what we really realised is that if we were able to repackage these translations in different media, we're able to get around those barriers [like] radio and audio/visual.

|AD|I think the Lord gave us very interesting ways of presenting the Gospel. Some cases were relatively new like the Internet that people from all over the world can access. The Internet is a very strong channel in distributing the Word especially for young people who are more technically aware and especially in urban cities where young people seem to gather. For example [Beijing], China. The Internet is really popular there. In Saudi Arabia, there is a tremendous number of people visiting Arabic websites everyday. The Internet has an important role in allowing people to find out who this Jesus is.

IBS is reaching its 200 year mark. What do you hope for the worldwide ministry?

We decided to put a goal almost unachievable. We said the year before we hit 200 years, which is 2008, we want to present Jesus through his Word, through the Bible, to more than two billion people. People said "that's crazy." Because of all the technology, Internet, radio, television, and so on, we said we think this is achievable. Isn't it a good idea to put the goal up so high to really make us stretch and focus on outreach?

Inside of IBS, that's a major thing we're trying to do. We're letting the juices flow. Let's get more creative.

How do you wish to pass on the leadership?

We want somebody to accelerate the mission. Personally, somebody who has tremendous heart for the Lord, for God's Word, a real visionary, eloquent as far as communications. IBS is an international [ministry], so someone who really has the ability to pull people together and stimulate them.

What are your own future plans?

Shirley (wife) and I both would like to stay in ministry. We have certain gifts that we want to continue to use wherever the Lord opens the door. We firmly sense the Lord is going to use us.



Peter J. Bradley has served as President of International Bible Society (IBS) since February 2000. Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., IBS is a worldwide ministry founded in 1809. Bradley formerly served as executive vice president of American Bible Society. Before ABS, he developed, implemented and promoted radio and video ministry programs in English and Spanish for Ron Hutchcraft Ministries. He has held numerous executive positions with McGraw-Hill, Inc., at locations in New York City, Singapore, Sydney and Toronto McGraw-Hill Book Company for 20 years.






Lillian Kwon
Christian Today Correspondent