Lamar Vest
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Lamar Vest assumed the role of President and CEO of the American Bible Society, one of America’s oldest charities, on January 1, 2009, after 17 years of service to the organization. Founded in 1816, the American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message.

With a commitment to this mission, Vest has worked to extend the reach of Scripture globally and encourage engagement with its life-changing message.

Under Dr. Vest’s leadership, the American Bible Society is working to maximize new opportunities for delivering Scripture where it is most needed, including "anytime, anywhere" access to Scripture through MP3, web, print, email, and mobile technologies.

Prior to his appointment as president of the American Bible Society, Vest served the organization as executive vice president of Global Scripture Ministries and chairman of the American Bible Society's Board of Trustees. Vest also currently serves as a member of the executive committee of the United Bible Societies Global Board.

Vest holds a bachelor's degree from Lee University and a master of arts from the Church of God Theological Seminary.

Blog Entries by Lamar Vest

Taking the Blue With the Red and Green

Posted December 21, 2011 | 12/21/11 06:01 PM ET

Isn't Christmas supposed to be a time of hope and joy? A time when we remember that the impossible is possible? A season for rejoicing that God isn't content to be some far-off, impersonal being, but cares so much about us that He showed up among us?

Yes, it is...

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She's My Sister: Bringing Scripture Based Healing to Rape Survivors

Posted June 28, 2011 | 06/28/11 07:25 PM ET

Most of us in America are given to hyperbole in our everyday conversations.

"Traffic was brutal."

"The meeting was horrendous."

"Yesterday was a nightmare."

"You won't believe what happened."

It isn't a big deal that we tend to speak this way. But it does create a problem...

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The Curious Connection between Lady Gaga and the Quran-Burning Pastor

Posted April 21, 2011 | 04/21/11 11:43 AM ET

It's Easter week and, unfortunately, Christianity is in the news for all the wrong reasons. When Florida Pastor Terry Jones chose to burn the Quran, his actions sparked both understandable outrage and reprehensible violence in the Muslim world.

Jones isn't the only one using controversy to generate attention. Lady...

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The Two Commandments of Super Bowl Advertising

Posted February 1, 2011 | 02/01/11 02:29 PM ET

Super Bowl XLV is quickly approaching. And as people predict whether the Steelers or the Packers will secure the victory, many are asking another, some might say equally, interesting question: What commercial will come out on top?

Buzz about Super Bowl commercials has been around almost as long as the...

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Chaplains Help Soldiers Find Peace

Posted December 13, 2010 | 12/13/10 10:59 AM ET

"Peace on earth, goodwill toward men." In songs, on cards and from the animated lips of cartoon characters we'll encounter this phrase myriad times during this Christmas season.

But peace on earth is a funny thing. It is fragile. And, too often, it is only properly valued when lost. Ultimately,...

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Burning the Quran Does Not Illuminate the Bible

Posted September 10, 2010 | 09/10/10 02:52 PM ET

I have to admit, when I heard news reports of Pastor Terry Jones planning to burn the Quran on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, I was both puzzled and disappointed.

To burn another religion's scriptures is disrespectful to all who adhere to that faith. Further, it...

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Word on the Street, First in the Bible

Posted August 10, 2010 | 08/10/10 10:58 AM ET

At American Bible Society, we spend all day every day thinking about the best-selling book of all time. But I'm guessing that most of you don't. So you may not be aware of the Bible's influence in the world.

"I get it," you say. "The Bible is a book...

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Haiti Earthquake Relief: The Spiritual Side of Rebuilding

Posted July 22, 2010 | 07/22/10 12:51 PM ET

When the rubble is cleared away, the roads repaved and the buildings rebuilt, will the people of Haiti be back on their feet?

Helping Haitians recover from the personal trauma and devastating losses wrought by the earthquake will be a much more difficult task than the overwhelming job of...

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Faith on the Front Lines

Posted June 13, 2010 | 06/13/10 09:32 PM ET

On Wednesday, the front page of The Wall Street Journal featured an arresting photo of a soldier kneeling beside a stunned comrade reading to him from a camouflage-clad Bible.

It is easy to debate the relevance of the Bible from the safety of our classrooms, living rooms and...

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The Biblical Challenge from (and for) Millennials

Posted May 11, 2010 | 05/11/10 08:50 PM ET

More than two thirds of 18- to 29-year-olds in America have a serious gap in their education. They have little knowledge of a work that has informed generations of literature, government, philosophy, and social behavior. And, more importantly, they are divorced from a message that has brought comfort, inspiration, and...

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