Gideons changes its name

Gideons changes its name

Gideons, one of the world's most famous Christian names, is undergoing a name change in a bid to "better reflect" the organisation it is today.

Since the 1950s, Leicestershire-based Gideons UK has introduced tens of thousands of people to Christianity through the 800,000 bibles it places in schools, hotels, hospitals, prisons, and many other areas of everyday life every year.

But it believes a name change is essential if it is to continue to be relevant in a modern world and build on the appetite that exists in the world to learn more about Jesus. So, with immediate effect, the organisation will be known as Good News for Everyone.

Key changes that have influenced its decision include:

  • Google searches for ‘prayer’ growing by 50% during the pandemic;
  • Five million people watching the archbishop of Canterbury deliver a message of hope online – the single largest congregation in history;
  • And UK churches seeing a rise in engagement through online services and support.

“We feel this change is in keeping with God’s will for the organisation and there has been overwhelming support from our members," commented Iain Marr, executive director. " We are excited about the future and the new opportunities we have to share the Good News.”