After years of living on the mission field in Beirut,
Lebanon and other Middle East countries, missionaries Bob and Hazel Hoskins
returned to the U.S. in 1980. Where Hoskins served as the president of Life
Publishers. He was learning a trade to match his heart for the nations.
Then in 1987, Hoskins saw a vision from God while fasting
and praying. He saw the enemy specifically targeting the world’s children. He
heard the Lord say, “The only thing that will rescue them is the truth found in
My Word. I want you to take My Word to the children and youth of the world, and
you will do this through leaders.”
The enormity of the vision left Hoskins weeping for days and wondering how they could accomplish this goal. It made sense quickly when the Minister of Education in El Salvador sent him a letter asking for Bibles for all the children of El Salvador!
As the president of a literature company Hoskins knew a child would never understand a traditional Bible starting with Genesis, so the Book of Hope was developed to teach the basics to children from the Gospels. They needed to know God loves them and has a plan for their lives. Above all else, they needed to know what Jesus had done for them and that he desired a relationship with them.
A million books shipped to El Salvador in December of 1987, and from that day there was no turning back. Pastors began reporting the great news from El Salvador in a matter of months. Lives were being changed and the entire country was experiencing a renewal by the presence of God’s Word!
OneHope (formerly Book of Hope International) was founded with the mission to take the Word of God to every child and youth in the world. From El Salvador, the ministry grew across Latin America and translations were introduced with French for Haiti being the first.
This opened doors in to Francophone Africa, and Portuguese was soon to follow. Doors were opening at every turn and God had proven himself faithful as ever. At this time, the Iron Curtain fell and all of Soviet Eastern Europe was finally open to the gospel. Doors thought to be impenetrable were opening and God was fulfilling his promises for a vision beyond our imaginations.
In 2004, OneHope reached the 250 Millionth child with God’s
Word, and just 5 years later that number has more than doubled. OneHope just
distributed its 600 millionth Book of Hope! The format of the message has changed as well. The Book
of Hope is now available in over 70
languages and has been adapted culturally for over 125 different countries. It
is age appropriate as well, with versions for young children, middle school
students and youth.
At the turn of the millennium, Hoskins realized that God’s Word was not limited to the printed page, and needed to go to the illiterate of the world as well. The GodMan film was birthed to address this need. It is the visual presentation of the life of Christ through motion-capture animation, available in almost 50 languages. OneHope has also moved from a primarily output-based ministry to an outcome-based approached. This means that, as a ministry, OneHope is focused on the impact not just the numbers. Our extensive research project, called the Spiritual State of the World’s Children, ensures that we effectively distribute the Word and measure our outcomes.
Over two decades after Bob Hoskins’ vision, OneHope is a ministry dedicated to reaching the children and youth of the world through visual and print media. With a variety of age, language and culturally specific versions of the Book of Hope and corresponding versions and dubs of the The GodMan, the seemingly impossible is being accomplished.
We are so excited for what God has done and continues to do. We hope you will strive with us toward the completion of the vision, until every child and youth on Earth has heard the good news.
Then in 1987, Hoskins saw a vision from God while fasting
and praying. He saw the enemy specifically targeting the world’s children. He
heard the Lord say, “The only thing that will rescue them is the truth found in
My Word. I want you to take My Word to the children and youth of the world, and
you will do this through leaders.”
The enormity of the vision left Hoskins weeping for days and wondering how they could accomplish this goal. It made sense quickly when the Minister of Education in El Salvador sent him a letter asking for Bibles for all the children of El Salvador!
As the president of a literature company Hoskins knew a child would never understand a traditional Bible starting with Genesis, so the Book of Hope was developed to teach the basics to children from the Gospels. They needed to know God loves them and has a plan for their lives. Above all else, they needed to know what Jesus had done for them and that he desired a relationship with them.
A million books shipped to El Salvador in December of 1987, and from that day there was no turning back. Pastors began reporting the great news from El Salvador in a matter of months. Lives were being changed and the entire country was experiencing a renewal by the presence of God’s Word!
OneHope (formerly Book of Hope International) was founded with the mission to take the Word of God to every child and youth in the world. From El Salvador, the ministry grew across Latin America and translations were introduced with French for Haiti being the first.
This opened doors in to Francophone Africa, and Portuguese was soon to follow. Doors were opening at every turn and God had proven himself faithful as ever. At this time, the Iron Curtain fell and all of Soviet Eastern Europe was finally open to the gospel. Doors thought to be impenetrable were opening and God was fulfilling his promises for a vision beyond our imaginations.
In 2004, OneHope reached the 250 Millionth child with God’s
Word, and just 5 years later that number has more than doubled. OneHope just
distributed its 600 millionth Book of Hope! The format of the message has changed as well. The Book
of Hope is now available in over 70
languages and has been adapted culturally for over 125 different countries. It
is age appropriate as well, with versions for young children, middle school
students and youth.
At the turn of the millennium, Hoskins realized that God’s Word was not limited to the printed page, and needed to go to the illiterate of the world as well. The GodMan film was birthed to address this need. It is the visual presentation of the life of Christ through motion-capture animation, available in almost 50 languages. OneHope has also moved from a primarily output-based ministry to an outcome-based approached. This means that, as a ministry, OneHope is focused on the impact not just the numbers. Our extensive research project, called the Spiritual State of the World’s Children, ensures that we effectively distribute the Word and measure our outcomes.
Over two decades after Bob Hoskins’ vision, OneHope is a ministry dedicated to reaching the children and youth of the world through visual and print media. With a variety of age, language and culturally specific versions of the Book of Hope and corresponding versions and dubs of the The GodMan, the seemingly impossible is being accomplished.
We are so excited for what God has done and continues to do. We hope you will strive with us toward the completion of the vision, until every child and youth on Earth has heard the good news.
