If you saw an aeroplane overhead writing an advertisement for a tobacco company in coloured smoke, what would you think? Or, what if you looked up whilst walking through Elephant and Castle (South East London) to see an electronic sign telling the result of a prize fight that had just finished in the Royal Albert Hall? In 2022 one would probably think very little of such things, but back in 1922 these were new phenomena – dramatic, state of the art advertising techniques.

This is what Charles Phillips witnessed and his first thought was: ‘These could be used to share the Bible with the public.’ That inspirational moment was the beginning of the Gospel Sky Sign Mission, later renamed Bible Text Publicity Mission. In the very place where Charles Phillips saw the electronic sign, Elephant and Castle, the first campaign was launched, displaying the verse ‘Be ye reconciled to God’ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Among the many people to read this verse were a young engaged couple. They were both converted that night. God’s hand was on the Mission from the very beginning.

Under Charles Phillips’ inspired leadership, the new Mission began sharing Bible verses using the latest mediums, in many places across the UK. Britain was not big enough to contain his enthusiasm for sharing God’s word. Across the world he went, displaying the word in many countries, as far away as India.

Today, activities are contained within the UK, and God’s word is displayed as far and wide as finances permit. From Inverness in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall, along with many cities and towns in-between, Bible verses are displayed at train stations, inside trains, trams and underground carriages, on the outsides and insides of buses, on telephone kiosks and street side sites.

Culture has changed tremendously over the past century and we now live in an age where people have so little knowledge of the LORD and His word. It is now essential for communication links to be on our posters – telephone, email, social media – so enquirers can discover more about the relevance God’s word has for them.

How many lives have been transformed by the displaying of the Bible in public spaces? This is a detail known only to God. We can be confident, however, that His powerful word will always fulfil God’s purpose within the lives of individuals, because He has so promised.

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
it will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

(Isaiah 55:10-11)