I was accepted as a member of the Gideons and got my welcome package, which includes a name tag. Membership is $100 a year or $1500 for a lifetime. You also have access to the New Testament in KJV or NASB at no cost. I got a box of both versions to start off with, which I think is around 300 Bibles altogether.
The Gideons have a very good name, which is a help for those that do door-to-door witnessing.
“Hi, I am Bob Mutch from the Gideons, and we are giving out free Bibles today. Is there anyone in this home that doesn’t have a Bible?”
I have already been going business to business in London handing out Gideon Bibles to employees. I also try to leave booklets with them, and as soon as I get my CD Printer/Duplicator, I will also be able to provide them with a free audio Bible CD.
Five other brothers from our Friday evening Bible study are also in the process of filling out applications. I think this is an excellent vehicle to help in Christian witnessing.
Oh, and as far as I can remember, it was through reading a Gideon Bible I got converted in prison some 29 years ago!
March 17th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Now all you need to do measure to the Gideon standard, as shown on their booklet, is shave the beard and get a nice suit and tie.
March 17th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Greeting Bob,
Welcome to becoming a member of the Gideons. I too have become a Gideon a couple years ago and really love this ministry. It would be wonderful to hear your testimony of salvation. The Gideon ministry played an important part in my life because before I became a Gideon I was depressed, very sad and lonely, thinking of suicide from time to time. Saw a Gideon bible in a hotel room and started to reconnect with God. Later was asked to join the Gideons and now I have a purpose in life greater then myself.
Keep up the challenge to give the Word of God to those you meet.
Dale Jonasson
March 19th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hi Bill; I have no plans on measuring to the Gideon standard in dress. I am anti-necktie, and at this point have no plans at all to shave my beard. As far as the suit goes I have a couple of nice suits which I wear from time to time.
March 19th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Hi Dale; I am glad to hear you are doing good in your soul! I really like the good name the Gideons have and I think it will open doors for me. Also I like the fact that they provide you with free New Testaments to pass out.
I plan to go door to door here in Aylmer offering free Gideon Bibles, free mp3 New Testaments on CDs, and free booklets by John Wesley etc. Those that have an interest I will offer to have bi-weekly Bible studies with them if they want to.
Current I am going to London, Ontario almost daily and passing out Gideon Bibles and booklets. It is a great blessing to work for the Lord!
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:22 am
It’s great to hear from people like yourself with the passion to spread Gods Word. And I’m glad you won’t shave the beard. It fits you well. While the Gideons do have a “business” standard for dress, we are called to be in the travel lanes of life. Here in California, more and more of the evangelical churches have pastors that don’t wear even a tie. Mine does not. But, when I speak in churches, I typically wear a tie. It’s easier to dress up then down. But we have members hear too that won’t wear a tie. Besides, there are plenty of places where it would not be right to wear a tie, even for Gideons.
I’m surprised that you get the PWT’s for free. In the USA, we have to buy them ourselves. Perhaps you get some for free to start, then have to pay for the rest there in Canada.
If you ever get a chance, come to the International Convention. This year it is in Columbus, Ohio, not far from you. You will be blessed and get a “big-picture” of the ministry.
Take care
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Hi Dale Jonasson; The Personal Workers Testaments (PWTs) are not free in Canada but the Personal Ministry Testaments (PMTs) are free.
Is there a way you could get me an invitation to the International Convention. I would love to go but current I am not allowed in the states due to my criminal record (mostly soft drug charges).
My warrant expire date on my last conviction was about 20 years ago and I have received a pardon here in Canada but they still have a record of my criminal record at the US border.
How would I go about getting an invitation to attend?
May 17th, 2009 at 3:52 am
how to become a member.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
When American General closed their mortgage offices, I had some time to devote to helping others, and filled out the application that a fellow Christian from the Bible Church in Irving had given me to apply for membership. I was told my application was rejected because i was no longer a businessman (after having been one for over a decade - a Second Vice President in fact). This happened in the late 80’s, hopefully the Gideons haven’t this narrow mindeness anymore. After all these years I still have trouble with that.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Hi Dave Brown,
They are just changing this policy now. In our Camp we have approved 3 or 4 borthers that are not businessmen.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:43 am
DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST
by the grace of god i become a member of the gideon. i request your
terms and condition
January 28th, 2010 at 3:19 am
hi? am a 14 year old girl, i would like to be a member of this ministry, so that i can share my testimonies and minister to different people around the world.
April 28th, 2010 at 12:28 am
hi. im looking for a gideons new testament in the traditional kjv… if u have an extra one lying around… please email bobbydeskins@yahoo.com thank you!!
May 11th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Hi Bobby,
Give me your address and Lord willing I will send you one.
Bob.
May 11th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Bob,
Sorry for not getting back to you on your questions about the International Convention. I was not monitoring this blog and just saw it come up again in my Google alerts.
The International convention is in Phoenix this year. All Gideons and Auxiliary worldwide are invited to attend. There will be over 3,000 people attending. My whole family comes, kids too. The cost is only for a hotel and food. No registration cost to attend. There is a youth program and that costs. You should get something in the magazine for the registration, or register online.
Dale Jonasson
May 11th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
NICE TO JOIN IN GIDEONS.
May 12th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Hi Dale,
Thanks for the info. You can check the check box on “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail” and you will be notified of any comments on the blog post.
Thanks!
Bob.
May 12th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Thanks Bob. Box checked.
It’s interesting that the Canadian Gideons sent you all those testaments when you join, I like that. What is the difference between the PWT and PMT? In the U.S., we do not have the PMT. And, you can get Gideon Bibles in NASB? That is the version I personally use, but we don’t have that for Gideon bibles.
May 12th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Hi Moses,
Did you join the Gideons?
Bob.
May 30th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
I was just thinking about how many people have lost their bibles in the recent disasters,and if there was anyone there to meet this need. Thank You, Jason Berk