Contact: Autumn Black, Director of Public Relations, 212-408-1215, ablack@americanbible.org

NEW YORK, November 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- The American Bible Society Board Chairman Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson announced that the Reverend Dr. R. Lamar Vest has accepted the Board of Trustees' invitation to serve as the next president of the American Bible Society. Following a short period of transition, Dr. Vest will take on the full responsibilities as the American Bible Society's next president beginning January 1, 2009.

Dr. Dickerson commented, "We are thrilled that Dr. Vest has accepted our invitation to serve as the Bible Society's next president. Grounded in his deep commitment to the church as well as his many years of fostering new global Bible mission, Dr. Vest will provide strong leadership for the ongoing work and ministry of the American Bible Society."

Dr. Vest said, "I am looking forward to leading the American Bible Society through this period of transition and change and particularly working together with Bible agencies, churches and ministries around the world. My wife Vickie and I are excited about the opportunity to serve and support the American Bible Society's mission of seeing lives transformed through engagement with God's Word."

About Dr. R. Lamar Vest

Dr. R. Lamar Vest has been a long-term leader in the development and expansion of the Bible mission both here in the United States and around the world. He is currently the executive vice president of Global Scripture Ministries for the American Bible Society and has served as chairman of the Bible Society's Board of Trustees.

In addition to his Bible Society responsibilities, Dr. Vest serves as a member of the executive committee of the United Bible Societies Global Board. He has served as chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and as a member of the NAE's board of directors and executive committee. Further, Dr. Vest's ministry experience includes executive leadership with the Church of God and serving as a former president of Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.

About the American Bible Society

Founded in 1816 and headquartered in the City of New York, the mission of the American Bible Society is 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. The American Bible Society's online destination is www.americanbible.org.