A Catholic organization is distributing tens of thousands of artistically designed Bibles to college students in an effort to meet them at a spiritual crossroads during their academic years.

According to Fox News, Word on Fire has given over 30,000 visually enhanced Bibles to students at more than 100 college campuses in the U.S. and Canada to help reinforce their Christian faith during a formative period of life.

The campaign, launched by Word on Fire, targets a demographic known to experience significant religious shifts during the transition from high school to college. According to data cited by the organization, 79% of individuals who leave the Catholic Church do so before reaching age 23. This vulnerable period inspired the group to bring its version of Scripture directly to students.

Art-rich Bibles aim to strengthen faith

The featured Gospel Bible is more than a basic religious text. Word on Fire refers to it as a “cathedral in print,” incorporating not only Scripture but also religious artwork and quotes from saints, theologians, and scholars. The intention behind this format is to make the content more engaging, especially for first-time readers who may be unfamiliar with the Bible.

Brandon Vogt, Word on Fire’s senior publishing director, explained that the Bible’s design plays a key role in connecting with young readers. “We call it a ‘cathedral in print’ because it’s surrounded with artwork and quotes from the Church’s great minds and mystics,” said Vogt. He added that these elements are intended to make the Bible more approachable for students encountering it for the first time.

Vogt also emphasized that this effort is part of a broader mission. He noted that while Word on Fire has previously offered videos and books to spark interest in Catholicism, placing the Bible physically in students’ hands has proven to be a particularly effective method of engagement.

College outreach spans notable institutions

The campaign has extended to both public and private colleges, with Catholic campus ministries playing a key role in the distribution. Participating schools have included Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Michigan, West Point, and Southern Methodist University. Even one campus in Canada received shipments.

While the organization is faith-based, it has intentionally partnered with ministries at secular universities to maximize outreach. “We partnered with a lot of the Catholic campus ministries at secular colleges,” said Vogt, citing it as a strategic move to meet students where they are both socially and spiritually.

Many students have responded positively. According to Word on Fire, numerous young adults have told the group that they have never read the Bible before receiving the organization’s edition. Some described it as the first version of the Bible they felt motivated to read due to its visual and spiritual richness.

Testimonies reveal spiritual impact

The campaign’s success is reflected in the feedback shared by recipients and ministry leaders. Vogt noted the organization has heard from many students who say this was their first meaningful encounter with the Bible. Some even reported that the experience inspired them to return to church or, in some cases, to convert to Catholicism.

“We have countless testimonies of people who’ve begun reading the Bible for the first time in their lives as a result of this campaign,” Vogt said. For the group, such feedback is both motivating and affirming of the campaign’s potential.

Word on Fire views this campaign as a long-term investment in the spiritual lives of young adults. Vogt stated that while Catholics are often encouraged to read Scripture, many still find the traditional format difficult to approach. This initiative aims to close that gap by presenting the biblical texts in a way that aligns with modern expectations and aesthetics.

Funding helps expand outreach mission

To date, more than $184,000 has been raised toward the campaign’s $250,000 fundraising goal. This financial support helps cover the cost of production and distribution, which includes high-quality printing and shipping of the annotated Gospels Bibles to campuses nationwide.

In a press release on its website, Word on Fire stressed the importance of reaching students early, stating that a majority leave the faith by their early twenties. With this outreach program, the group hopes to counter that trend by encouraging Scripture engagement before students disconnect from religious practice.

Vogt believes the timing of the initiative is critical. “We thought, well, if that’s when they’re leaving, then we need to go out there and meet them in that critical moment,” he said, referring to the college transition. He emphasized that it’s not just about distribution, but about meeting spiritual needs during one of life’s pivotal stages.

Looking ahead with purpose and dedication

Word on Fire has no plans to slow its efforts. With a growing list of participating campuses and continued funding support, the organization aims to reach even more students in the coming school year. Its leadership sees this as essential to its broader mission of Catholic evangelization in the modern world.

“I think Catholics can do a whole lot better reading the Bible,” said Vogt. “That’s why we’re so committed to bringing it to new generations.” Through innovation and intentional engagement, Word on Fire hopes to foster deeper connections to faith—one Bible at a time.