American Bible Society Teams Up with Multi-Platinum Artist Kirk Franklin

NEW YORK, June 4, 2009—Kirk Franklin, the biggest selling contemporary Christian artist in Soundscan history with more than 20 No. 1 singles and host of BET’s Sunday Best is teaming up with the American Bible Society to share the real inspiration behind his music. He is using both music and technology to encourage fans to connect with the Bible through “The Bible is My Guide,” a national program to motivate young people to engage with God’s Word.

Franklin, who Miley Cyrus calls her “favorite person to listen to in the shower” (Access Hollywood), will invite fans to send him text messages during his upcoming summer concerts. Through his partnership with the American Bible Society’s “The Bible is My Guide” project, fans who text message Franklin will receive daily Bible verses sent directly to their mobile phone free of charge. From the stage, Franklin will also encourage fans to read the book that provides the inspiration behind his greatest hits—the Bible.

“I’ve found the process of reading the Bible and writing a song is life-changing, and I’m always eager to share the inspiration behind my music. Being a part of the American Bible Society’s ‘Bible is My Guide’ project is a huge statement about the man I am trying to become,” said Franklin.

Thanks to technology, fans do not have to be present at Franklin’s concert to receive Bible verses. The American Bible Society also provides Bible verses via email, voicemail, text message, podcast and RSS feed free of charge to anyone who subscribes at Kirk.AmericanBible.org.

“Kirk’s music is inspiring a generation of music fans with the life changing message of the Bible,” said Lamar Vest, president and CEO of the American Bible Society.

Franklin is the third music artist to sign on for the “The Bible is My Guide” project. Kicked off in April 2007 by New York Yankee Mariano Rivera, the Spanish “La Biblia es mi Guia” project has also tapped celebrities such as the rock band Rojo, 10-time Grammy winner Juan Luis Guerra and New York Yankee Bernie Williams.

Franklin is not the only one sharing how the Bible’s message has changed his life. He has asked hundreds of youth ministers around the country to join him in encouraging youth to follow the principals of the Bible. Also, hundreds of personal videos can be found at ShareYourStoryNow.org—a site where people can post personal stories and see how others are exploring, engaging and experiencing the Bible’s message. The site also contains videos of other popular music artists who have shared their favorite verse or what the Bible means to them, including Grammy winners Steven Curtis Chapman, TobyMac, Rebecca St. James and former American Idol Mandisa.