What good do you think a shredded Testament on the side of the road would be to anyone? In the Lord’s wonderful providence, it would be the very means of bringing a drunk to salvation.

Please click on the video below to watch this powerful testimony.

70 years of Ministry in Australia

A Legacy

The 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games was the catalyst towards establishing The Gideons International in Australia. The goal was to arrange for the placement of Bibles in hotel rooms before the arrival of athletes and visitors for the Games.

That year, International Vice President Pat Zondervan met with Christian business and professional men in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. They were challenged not only to place Scriptures, but also to stand together in faith, to encourage one another, and to share their personal testimony. Camps were formed, applications submitted, and officers elected.

The first camp was established in Sydney in February 1956. Melbourne and Brisbane followed. Before the Olympic Games commenced, more than 2,000 Bibles were placed in hotels across the three cities.

“Before the Olympic Games commenced, more than 2,000 Bibles were placed in hotels across the three cities.”

A Foundation

Throughout these early years, the Association was shaped by men meeting together regularly for prayer, accountability, and encouragement and upheld by the support and prayers of Gideon wives (Auxiliary). As members strengthened one another in their walk with God, they were better prepared to speak of Christ to others in workplaces and communities.

Distributions extended beyond hotels. Schools became a major area of work, and for many years Youth Testament distribution formed the largest portion of Scriptures placed in Australia.

The foundation of The Gideons International in Australia was strengthened as partnerships were established with churches.

As time passed, milestones were reached and passed. In 1966, one million Scriptures had been distributed in Australia. In 1997, the figure reached ten million, and this year we have placed our nineteen millionth copy of the Word of God somewhere in our nation. To God be all the glory!

A Springboard

The seventieth anniversary year of The Gideons International in Australia is a time to briefly look back, to give thanks to all who have established this legacy and built such a strong foundation for us today, and to give God the praise for each person whose soul has been saved through His Word and the sharing of the gospel.

But the Australia of today differs from Australia in 1956. Access to some placement areas has become more difficult, particularly in schools, while other areas like aged care facilities are more open. The needs of men and women are the same, and God’s Word continues to speak with authority and clarity, “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).

The years ahead are committed to Him. The work remains His, and its future rests in His hands. The Word of God will not fail. Whether fruit is seen quickly or slowly, whether known now or later, His Word will accomplish His purpose.

“…this year we have placed our nineteen millionth copy of the Word of God somewhere in our nation. To God be all the glory!”

This article provides an on‑the‑ground insight into the work of The Gideons. We trust it will be an encouragement to readers.

A Gideon camp is a group of members serving together within a town, city, or defined region. In Queensland, the Mt Coot‑tha and Caloundra Camps are two examples of local groups seeking to serve faithfully in their communities through the simple, steady work of Gideon ministry.

Mt Coot‑tha Camp: Steady and Shared Service

Serving across Brisbane’s metropolitan area, the Mt Coot‑tha Camp focuses on working together in a way that is sustainable and supportive. Responsibilities are shared so that no one carries the load alone, allowing members to balance their service in Gideons with commitments to family, church, and work.

Members maintain regular contact with schools, hospitals, hotels, and institutions that are open to receiving Scriptures. They are able to build relationships with these institutions patiently and respectfully. Even small opportunities are valued, with trust that God can use each Scripture placed.

Through both open doors and closed ones, the camp seeks to remain consistent and prayerful, continuing the work entrusted to them without being discouraged by the pace of results.

“Though different in size and geography, the Mt Coot‑tha and Caloundra Camps share a common approach: prayerful service, patience, and an emphasis on relationships.”

Caloundra Camp: Serving a Broad Region

The Caloundra Camp covers a large area across the Sunshine Coast, which brings both opportunity and complexity. Prayer underpins their ministry, and members make use of technology to stay connected, often joining others across Queensland for times of shared prayer despite the distance.

Intentional relationships with local pastors are an important part of their approach. When new pastors arrive in the region, Gideons aim to get to know them. These relationships open doors for ministry and create lasting partnerships.

While access to schools continues to shift, the camp remains patient and prepared. By maintaining respectful contact and a positive presence, they stay ready to respond when opportunities arise.

Faithful Service, Shared Purpose

Though different in size and geography, the Mt Coot‑tha and Caloundra Camps share a common approach: prayerful service, patience, and an emphasis on relationships. Their experiences mirror the work being carried out quietly in many Gideon camps across the country—consistent, often unseen, but grounded in faithfulness.

Together, these camps remind us that the Gideon ministry is not shaped by big numbers or quick results, but by a commitment to serve and to trust God with the outcome. Above all, the heart of this work is to see the Gospel carried into their local communities.

When Tim was 13, a Gideon stepped into his classroom, handed him a copy of God’s Word, and said, “This is the truth.” Tim kept it—and soon God kept putting His Word in front of him. A softball player signed a ball for him with John 3:3. A Pepsi deliveryman gave him another Testament signed with John 14:6. Everywhere Tim turned, he saw the book of John.

“Back at his hotel, another Bible—again opened to John’s Gospel—waited on his pillow. God was calling.”

Years later, while traveling for work, Tim carried that first Testament with him. In New Orleans, he was struck by a literal cross carried by a street preacher. At the ER, a nurse handed him a Bible placed by The Gideons, opened to the book of John, and asked him to read it. Back at his hotel, another Bible—again opened to John’s Gospel—waited on his pillow. God was calling. Tim prayed to receive Jesus Christ on December 16, 2001. The Scripture shared with him that day? John 1:6–7.

One Gideon’s faithful act in 1978 sparked a journey that led Tim to Christ and into a life of ministry.

In the heart of Western Australia, as spring unfolded its glory, a dedicated group of Gideons and Auxiliary embarked on a mission to see God’s glorious Word placed across Perth. The 2025 Perth Scripture Blitz was more than a coordinated outreach—it was a passionate feat that brought the Word of God into empty drawers and rooms, and into the hands of people who needed it most.

Day One: A Holiday with Purpose

The Blitz began in Fremantle on a sunny Monday, coinciding with a public holiday. Amid the festive atmosphere, three teams visited hotels and shared Personal Workers Testaments. Conversations flowed easily, and many hotels welcomed Bible top-ups.

Day Two: Into the Heart of Perth

Tuesday marked the beginning of the Blitz in earnest. Auxiliary teams visited medical offices in West Perth, while Gideons covered Perth CBD, Northbridge, Scarborough Beach, and Midland. A notable highlight was the unexpected receptiveness of staff at backpacker hostels. The owner of a hostel that had initially declined Bible placements explained that he was saved out of a life of drug addiction after reading the Bible. Now, he is building a prayer room in the hostel and welcomed Bibles with open arms. Please pray for this man, that he would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Day Three: A Grand Finale

Wednesday, the final day of the Blitz, was the most active. Teams navigated high-rises and laneways, placing Bibles in medical and dental offices. At a skin cancer clinic, a woman spotted a Bible and asked, “Can I have one?”—a reminder that when you’re out on God’s business, you never know who is watching and listening. From Joondalup to Armadale and the Darling Scarp, responses were overwhelmingly positive.

“Please be in prayer that our gracious Lord will use all 806 Scriptures to bring glory to His name.”

The Impact in Numbers

• 267 accommodation sites visited
• 101 medical sites reached
• 647 Bibles placed
• 159 New Testaments shared

Over three days, the teams covered Perth’s CBD, coastal strip, and rural farm stays—representing the bulk of the region’s accommodation venues. This was an immense effort by all involved. Please be in prayer that our gracious Lord will use all 806 Scriptures to bring glory to His name.

Stories That Inspire

• A rural accommodation owner said: “You know, in 10 years of running this place, not once has anyone ever asked me for a Bible. But I will take 12 and put them in the rooms.”
• A hotel manager, found mid-renovation, said: “Hotels have Bibles. We have 32 rooms—can you do that?”

Looking Ahead

The Blitz may be over, but its impact will ripple through time. The Scriptures placed will remain, the stories shared will encourage, and the prayers offered will bear fruit. To God be the glory, now and forever. Amen.

Sarah* was born in Victoria to parents addicted to heroin. Her father disappeared before she was born and to this day, she has never met him. Her mother, who suffered from schizophrenia, attempted to quit heroin ‘cold turkey’ during pregnancy. At birth, she spent her first week convulsing and was left with permanent hearing loss. Her early years were marked by isolation, abuse, and instability.

By the age of 15, she was homeless on the streets of Melbourne, moving from one refuge to another. At 16, she entered a relationship with a man 12 years older than her. By 21, she was a mother of two and completely worn down; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Feeling hopeless and desperate, she made a heartbreaking plan: take her children to Tasmania and leave them in the care of the man’s ex-wife, a kind and faithful Christian woman she trusted. Then, on the return journey, she intended to end her life by jumping from the ferry.

“Aboard the Spirit of Tasmania, she locked herself in her cabin, overcome with fear and despair. In her solitude, she opened a drawer and discovered a Gideon-placed Bible.”

Aboard the Spirit of Tasmania, she locked herself in her cabin, overcome with fear and despair. In her solitude, she opened a drawer and discovered a Gideon-placed Bible. Flipping through the pages of Psalms, one verse gripped her heart, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” (Psalm 27:10). She broke down, weeping, and continued reading for hours. When the ferry arrived in Devonport, she told the ex-wife, “I just spent 12 hours reading the Bible.” The woman smiled and said, “Praise the Lord,” then led her to Christ that very day.

Over the next 12 weeks, she immersed herself in Scripture. Six weeks after coming to faith, she was baptized. At the baptism, a woman she had never met approached her, removed a silver locket bracelet from her wrist, and gave it to her. “The Father wants you to know He loves you so much,” she said.

As a child, she had once asked her mother for that exact bracelet but was mocked and denied. She had never told a soul. In that moment, she knew God had seen everything. Though she never knew her earthly father, she found peace knowing her Heavenly Father had always seen her. And from that day forward, she was certain: she would never walk alone.

“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” – Psalm 27:10 (ESV)

*Name has been changed to protect identity

I didn’t grow up religious, and after school, I drifted into a lifestyle of drugs. It all caught up with me in my late twenties, leading to a short stint in jail on remand. Thankfully, I was released with a probation sentence and had to stay clean.

Around that time, I came into possession of a Gideon-placed New Testament.

Not long after, a friend and I went fruit picking. We camped overnight by a creek. That night, I had a troubling dream that left me uneasy. The next morning, I went looking for a place to hide the marijuana seeds I had brought with me. But when my mate offered me a ‘joint’, I quickly forgot about doing this.

Later that day, two officers pulled us over and asked to search our bags. I was on probation and panicked. When I opened my pack, the New Testament was sitting right on top. The officer looked at it and said, “I don’t think we need to search any further.” After they left, I found the seeds just underneath the New Testament. I knew God had intervened.

I began reading that New Testament. One night, overwhelmed by conviction, I knelt and prayed the Lord’s Prayer. That was the beginning of my salvation. I believe the Holy Spirit had His hand on my life then and continues to do so now. I am still on my journey. I realise more and more that I can’t be a Christian on my own.

“I began reading that New Testament. One night, overwhelmed by conviction, I knelt and prayed the Lord’s Prayer. That was the beginning of my salvation.”

Vivid Sydney is an annual festival held in the Sydney CBD. It includes outdoor light installations, music performances by local and international artists, and a forum for exchanging ideas. The festival is Australia’s largest of its kind, attracting millions of visitors each year.

This year’s festival ran between 23 May and 14 June, and as the world showcased its lights to the people, it was most appropriate that the ‘Light of the World’ shone during these nights for all to see. A team of Gideons and Auxiliary stepped up to bring the Gospel to the people at Vivid Sydney 2025.

The team met at Martin Place, and with bags filled with Youth Testaments and pockets ready with a Personal Worker’s Testament (PWT), engaged the crowds in George Street. Being a ‘Fair and Festival’, Youth Testaments could be given to the youth. It was certainly a large fishing ground for the Lord’s work. As thousands of people made the trek up and down George Street, many were greeted with an offer to take a Testament.

Witnessing Testimonies

A Gideon reported that many young people were “ecstatic” to receive Bibles with one saying “Wow, the Holy Bible. Yes. I’ve been wanting to read this. Thank you so much.” It has been very encouraging seeing young men and women wanting to hear the Gospel message and to learn more of the things of God. During the night, groups of youth and families approached the team enquiring “Is that the Bible?” and asked for one as they entered into conversations about the Gospel.

A large group of teenagers asked to hear a Bible verse. The Gideon chose John 3:16 and they all listened with great intent and had seeds sown into their lives. They heard the Gospel message and about how they could be with Jesus for eternity.

“It has been very encouraging seeing young men and women wanting to hear the Gospel message and to learn more of the things of God.”

Several people wanted prayer and the Gideons obliged. You can really get a good idea of the pulse of a city and how hungry people are to hear about God by being on the ground interacting with them. We learnt that there is an interest in enquiring about the truth.

To God be the Glory

Over the course of the 23 nights, over 10,000 Youth Testaments and PWTs were handed out.

Many people are praying for revival, which is a wonderful mission. However, if revival is to come next month that would be of no use to the sinner who dies next week. As Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” (John 4:35). To God be the Glory.

While I was attending university in Sydney, my supervisor was cleaning out his office. He threw two copies of Gideon-placed New Testaments into the bin. I had never seen a Bible before. After he left, I took the two Testaments home with me. I didn’t read them at the time because I was busy with my research.

I began carrying the little book in my pocket and started reading the Gospel stories and Psalms. Three years later, my wife and I became Christians. I gave one copy to her friend, who was curious about Christianity (I do not know if she has become a Christian or not). I keep the other New Testament with me to this day.

I came to understand that God’s salvation first came to the Jews (my supervisor was Jewish). Because they rejected the Gospel—the New Testament revelation—salvation came to the unworthy Gentiles, and I am one of them! I thank God for using the Gideons to provide His Word to so many people. May God continue to use you and bless your ministry!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16 (ESV)

On a dark and lonely night during the mid-1980’s, I found myself sitting on the edge of a bed in a nondescript motel contemplating the unimaginable after the failure of yet another relationship.

Heavily depressed and in utter despair, I noticed a small Bible on the bedside table.

Having been brought up in the faith, I cautiously reached over and fumbled my way to the suggested passages. I honestly cannot remember the exact readings, but what I do remember vividly is the sense of peace and well-being that embraced me as I read. My life really did have meaning, and I was filled with hope for a life worth living.

Suffice to say that I survived that darkest of nights and others throughout my life. I came to understand that our Lord and Saviour was with me supporting and encouraging me as I read the selected passages from the Gideon-placed Bible gifted to me that fateful night.

This little Bible was my lifeline when I needed it most. I’m certain I’m not the only one that has had this experience. I will be forever grateful for the power of His Word and the work of His servants who help make it so readily available for all. God bless you.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” – Lamentations 3:22–24 (ESV)