The vision for the Bible Across America was to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the NIV translation -- the most trusted, most read Bible translation available today --by creating the world’s first handwritten copy of the NIV Bible.

On September 30, 2008, the Bible Across America tour kicked off with a launch event at Zondervan’s world headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The event was attended by Zondervan employees and local officials and dignitaries, as well as business leaders and pastors. Moe Girkins, Zondervan’s current CEO, invited former CEO Bruce Ryskamp, who played a key role in the success of the NIV during his 25 years with the company, to write the first verse as a crowd of hundreds looked on. And with that, the Bible Across America tour officially hit the road.

The nine-month, coast-to-coast, multi-state tour included stops at special events, national landmarks, retail stores, conferences, churches, and other large venues where people from around the world were invited to contribute a verse to complete a handwritten Bible.


The Bible Across America RV made 104 tour stops in 90 cities in 40 states, logging 22,579 miles.

• •  Even though the tour didn’t travel to every state, the Bible features contributors from all 50 states.
• •  While the tour was dubbed the “Bible Across America tour,” we gladly welcomed contributors from other countries who wanted to write a verse, including Canada, Australia, India and several more.
• •  Over 4400 pages of specially selected 11 x 17 Domtar paper were used to create the two original copies.
• •  1,116 XENO pens were used on the tour to ensure consistency in ink type and color.
• •  People aren’t perfect, which is why we went through a dozen whiteout dispensers on the tour.
• •  Each original manuscript measures nearly 10 inches thick.

Nearly nine months after it hit the road, Zondervan's hand-written Bible Across America came home Wednesday, June 24th 2009 bearing Scripture verses inscribed by 31,173 people.

The Bible's final verse ceremony took place at the Zondervan headquarters in Grand Rapids Michigan and  included nine members of the Committee on Bible Translation, the original translators and continuing caretakers of the NIV.

Maureen "Moe" Girkins, the current president and CEO of Zondervan, penned the final verse from Revelation 22:21: "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen."