The Vision of an Evangelist

Moody Publishers' humble beginnings were fueled by the huge vision of D.L. Moody to take the message of the gospel to the masses via Christian books. The formation of the Bible Institute Colportage Association (BICA) in 1894 came as the result of his frustrations as he asked booksellers, "What have you in the way of helpful reading for young Christians?" When the answer was "nothing," this take-action evangelist decided to do something about it.

Thus he began BICA with the revolutionary goal of promoting inexpensive Christian books for Christians to grow and non-Christians to have a quick introduction to the gospel. At the time, "Inexpensive religious literature was as scarce as mosquitoes in Antarctica," as the Chicago Daily News described it.

"The price must come down," declared Moody. By launching large print runs, setting a uniform size and binding, and using inexpensive paper, he was able to sell books for twenty-five cents each. All of Grace by Charles Spurgeon was the first book in the new line. It is still in print over 115 years later.

By the time BICA had become Moody Publishers in 1941, almost 34 million copies of sermons, Bible teaching, and doctrinal books as well as New Testaments had been published. Additionally, over 43 million gospel tracts had been distributed.

Moody Publishers' Unique Role in Worldwide Evangelism

Moody founded BICA merely eight years after beginning only the nation’s second Bible school. The Moody Bible Institute (MBI) today is one of the most well-known evangelical institutions training and equipping young people for the mission field at home and abroad, pastoral positions, as well as other various forms of ministry. Moody Publishers continues to operate as the publishing arm of MBI.

This fact alone makes Moody Publishers unique in the Christian publishing business. Our profits are channeled back to MBI to support the tuition-paid education of more than 1500 students. Every book that Moody Publishers publishes contributes in a significant way to the training of students who will carry the gospel to all corners of the world.

Significant Role in Creation of Christian Booksellers Association

Consistent with the vision of D.L. Moody, Moody Publishers has always been committed to finding excellent vehicles to get the message of Christ to the masses. One way Moody Publishers has been instrumental in that endeavor is the expansion of the Christian bookselling industry.

Over sixty years ago, Moody Publishers played a substantial role in the formation of the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). For years requests for counsel and information on how to open and operate a Christian bookstore poured into Moody Publishers. William Moore, an employee of Moody Publishers at the time, and Kenneth Taylor, then its director, called together several Chicago area book dealers to explore the idea of forming a Christian association.

Out of these meetings came the first convention in Chicago. Two months later, the CBA incorporated as a non-profit entity in Illinois. Since then, CBA has grown to become a worldwide operation, providing book dealers all over the globe with information on how to better operate their stores. Moody Publishers was honored as a founding member of CBA at their 50^th anniversary celebration in 1999.