SGM Lifewords celebrates 125 years

SGM Lifewords held its 125th anniversary celebration at Westminster Chapel in London on Friday.

The event was a full house as many supporters came out to celebrate the milestone for the organisation, which provides Bible resources for the church.

Danielle Welch, Executive Director of SGM, said: "Westminster Chapel is a fitting venue, as it is known for its Bible teaching."

William Walters founded SGM (Scripture Gift Mission) in 1888 with a vision to share the Bible. The missionary entrepreneur said at the time: "The people will read the captivating story of God's love, which thrills us as we pursue it, and may with God's blessing thrill them also."

Today, SGM continues to make God's Word available for communities around the world, providing literature and other resources to help people connect Scripture to life.

The celebration was opened with a prayer by SGM Chair David Morgan. He commented: "Since I joined the Board in 2007 I've been hugely impressed by the nature and scope of SGM Lifewords' work. I'm keen to drive the gospel, particularly reaching hard places and innovatively, using modern means - as did our founder."

Steve Bassett, SGM's creative director gave thanks for everything the organisation had accomplished since 1888, noting with affection how the organisation had provided troops with scriptures in the First and Second World Wars.

Members of SGM's global team spoke of the challenge of spreading the word of God to the darkest parts of the world and the most deprived regions. They shared their joy at how God was continuing to use SGM to meet the huge spiritual need with free Scripture resources.

Clenir dos Santos, Brazil director of SGM's Pavement Project – a Scripture-based counselling programme - said: "God has really been a blessing to us."