ESV Study Bible Giveaway Winners
by Ted Slater on 10/30/2008 at 3:24 PM
Earlier this month we held a contest to give away 10 copies of the new ESV Study Bible. It was difficult to deny 99 percent of the 1,000+ entrants, but them's the rules. Congrats to the 10 winners, whose entries I've excerpted below. Thanks again to Crossway Books for their generosity in providing these study Bibles.
Raquel in New York City:
I am a youth leader for a group of around 20 mostly inner city youth in Brooklyn, NY. These kids are dealing with such things as gangs, drugs, various kinds of abuse, resistance from their parents to the things of God, you name it really. Among, obviously, the regular challenges teens face. It is overwhelming to work with. I also am involved with kids and girls clubs. The more I know, the more I have to bless them with and help them come to personal relationships with Christ. Any hope and all life for them exists in and through God as revealed in the Scriptures.
Ronald in Seattle:
I entered a one year treatment center at ---------. A faith based recovery center. I have had an addiction to Methamphetamine. My drug of choice for 18 years. During the time of my addiction, I prayed many prayers for Gods' help. I had always believed that god would save me from myself. I did not know when that journey would begin. It has begun. Through the years I have read scripture, but still not understanding what was being said to me. Even now that I study the word everyday, I still lack understanding. I am familiar with most of the stories and parables of the Bible. I don't think I receive everything being said. My knowledge is little but my faith is strong. I currently study out of a standard NIV. I feel my growth being hindered because of lack of understanding. It's not that I need this more than anyone.
Marc in Richvale, CA:
I am a missionary with ----- serving here in the USA among the Hispanic community.... I am planting a new church.... We served in Venezuela for 10 years and I have left most of my library in Venezuela with other missionaries and or nationals. This Study bible would be a great benefit for me in my study of the word and ministry in helping teach these new Christians.
Louie in the mountains of Kentucky:
I think I should get the ESV study bible so I can give it away. I work with very under privileged students in the mountains of Appalachia in Kentucky. There are no good churches for these students to go to (none that want them) and Myself, and those who help me with Appalachian Ministries are the only Jesus they see or hear, and there is only so much we can do with one hour a week. I would give the bible to a student who I think is called to the ministry, but has no bible of his own, no church to nurture and grow him, and once I graduate this year from the University of the Cumberland’s, no mentor to help him grow. I want to give him this bible.
Sarah:
Please forgive the fact that I leave my last name off of this email. I do so for security reasons, as I am in the final stages of leaving the country to serve God overseas for the next two years. The region where I will be serving is a current world "hot spot," a Muslim nation that has made international headlines almost everyday for the last few weeks. It is because of what I am about to do that I would love to have an ESV Study Bible. Although I will be working alongside other believers for the next two years, I will be far from my church home and in the heart of one of the most spiritually dark areas on the globe. As I am preparing to go, I am trying to put things in my suitcase that will help me to grow in my walk with the Lord and better equip me to fight off spiritual attacks. In this respect, the ESV Study Bible would certainly be very useful to me. Many Thanks for your consideration.
Cassie in Salem, Oregon:
One day a gal came to the young adults group I led and she was in a desperate place spiritually. Her ex-boyfriend had all of her stuff and wouldn't give it back, and her Bible was within that stuff. I ended up giving her my Bible, knowing I had an NIV Bible at home that I could use. I have since missed that Bible a lot. Last year I took a Bible survey class at my church and we talked about translations of the Bible. As one who has studied translation as a Spanish major, I suddenly saw the importance of having an accurate translation of the Bible. I have wanted to buy a new Bible that is a more accurate translation since I took that course, but haven't had the money. Now I am in graduate school and do not have the extra resources to spend the money that a good quality Bible requires.
Sandy in Houston:
I’m a single mom with three children.... We survived Tropical Storm Allison, while living with my parents here in Houston. We had over five feet of water in the house, and we lost all our possessions. But once again, God proved Himself faithful, because we learned that possessions weren’t the most important things in life. We were blessed that we had not lost each other (including the family dog!). Among our possessions lost, were our Bibles. I have since replaced my children’s Bibles, but my Bible is an inexpensive Bible that doesn’t include any sort of study helps. Just last week, I wandered down the isles of Half Price Books looking for something that I could afford, but nothing seemed to reach out to me, or if they did, they were too expensive. I’m on a very limited budget. I work several different jobs here at home so that I can be here with my kids, and homeschool them.... I feel more burdened that ever to be in constant prayer and to dig deep into God’s Word. When I read about this contest, I became so full of hope! I believe this Bible would be an amazing tool to help me study God’s Word, help me walk more closely with Him, and where I can find the wisdom and strength to press on!
Chris in Louisville, Kentucky:
I am about to complete my doctorate in expository preaching.... As great as the translation is, I believe the study Bible will be of even greater value, as I hear insights from some of the greatest Christian thinkers and how they apply a quality translation and insights to the world today. This will not only help me as a believer and leader, but will assist my congregation as I share these insights each week as I preach.... I have shared recently with our economy that maybe we can get one for a graduation gift. If I were to win one, I know it would not only be an early Christmas and graduation gift, but would be another example for the church in how God provides.
Amy in Concord, New Hampshire:
Me and my husband are on a very tight budget, and as of right now, I have been praying for an opportunity to get one of these bibles somehow and feel that this may be that opportunity. My husband (who is not saved) leaves for Iraq in just 4 short weeks, so I've been praying to get a new bible before he leaves so I can send the one that I have with him, in hopes that he may open it up when he feels lonely over there.... I'm not sure what I was to include in this email, but it was my understanding to let you know why I want this Bible in my life. I will continue to pray for you all as you choose the winners. Even if I'm not a winner, there are people that may need the new ESV more than me, and I pray that God will use this new tool in whomever's life to reap and sow many great things for our Father.
Michael in Iraq:
I am currently serving as a US Army Chaplain for a battalion of Soldiers.... We are approaching another deployment and are beginning preparations to serve our year in Iraq. Having already been deployed once, I understand the need for quality resources. Due to limited space, I cannot bring my pastoral library with me. I need a tool, in one volume, that I can use for personal study, lead Bible studies for Soldiers and prepare for preaching in Chapel. I believe that the ESV Study Bible fits these conditions. Not only will it be of great use to me in my own walk with Christ, but it will be invaluable in my calling to bring God to Soldiers and bring Soldiers to God. Thank you for considering my entry.
1. Tami said the following at 3:44 PM on Oct 30
Thanks for sharing these stories. *All* of them are very touching stories, but Amy's especially moved me. I said a prayer for you & your husband. God bless.
2. BDB said the following at 3:53 PM on Oct 30
What a great cross-section! Congratulations to the winners!
3. Amelia said the following at 5:21 PM on Oct 30
I really enjoyed reading this. How encouraging! I'm sure that many people will be blessed through these bibles. Praise God!
4. John A. Taylor said the following at 6:33 PM on Oct 30
Horray! These were all great choices for winners.
As one of the 1000+ entrants who didn't win, I'm glad to say that this is one of the happiest losses I've "suffered."
Each one of these ten candidates, and their stories, were far more deserving than me. May they all be blessed in their study.
5. David Porter said the following at 8:38 PM on Oct 30
Ted,
With so many people desiring Bibles, why stop at 10. There are many of us who would gladly send a copy of the new ESV Bible to a deserving soul.
Find a safe way to hook all those other deserving people up with us, the Christian blogosphere, we will fill in the gap. Gladly!
6. Mike Neglia said the following at 8:49 AM on Oct 31
I entered, and lost, and then about two weeks later I ordered myself a copy from Amazon. Although I consider myself to be on a limited budget, I didn't have my house flooded or live in the Appalachian mountains and I consider these people much more worthy than I am to get this resource.
7. P.S. said the following at 8:59 PM on Nov 3
I loved reading of all these people's lives. It was really encouraging. Personally it challenges me to be pouring what I have in Christ to others around me.
Sarah, I'll be praying for you. God bless as you head out.