A chance to meet Jesus on the bus

An estimated 3.25 million Auckland, New Zealand, bus commuters will be offered their choice of a free book on a coupon printed in colour on the back of their bus ticket. The New Zealand Christian Foundation (NZCF) has partnered with the public bus service to promote the free offer.  

“People love to read when traveling on buses and trains. The first thing most people read is what is in their hand. The bus ticket is given to the commuter when they board the bus. They read it and often respond right away. As most people now have iPads or other internet-connected handheld devices—they are easily able to redeem their free offer while traveling on the bus to their destination. The free book is sent to their address to be read in the next day or so—often on the bus,” says Joanne Davies, cofounder of NZCF.

An easy-to-remember web address was purchased for the campaign; <www.freebook.org.nz> links into NZCF’s website where commuters can order their free book. The titles—all printed by Adventist publishing houses—include Can We Still Believe the Bible?, The Incredible Power of Prayer, and Miracle From the Streets.

The tickets began to be used in August. Joanne Davies says the response has been positive so far, with 150 requests coming in for the free books. She suggests the new tickets are not being used on all the buses as yet and anticipates that demand will gradually rise as the ticket rolls are gradually replaced.

The New Zealand Christian Foundation is New Zealand’s only official supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It’s registered with the New Zealand government as a charity, with tax-deductible status, and supports projects in the areas of education, health, humanitarian service, and pastoral care. NZCF’s primary goal is to reach people with no religious affiliation who are open to exploring spiritual concepts in an anonymous, no-pressure environment.