Barnes, an Episcopal priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, "brings extensive knowledge of the mission and purpose of the Bible Society to his new position," said a news release announcing the appointment. He has worked with the Bible Society and other faith-based organizations for many years.

"I am delighted that Simon Barnes will work for the Bible Society on a full-time basis, after years of assisting us in many ways," the Rev. Dr. Paul Irwin, president of the American Bible Society, said. "We celebrate and appreciate his skills, combined with his deep faith."

"The American Bible Society has a lot to offer and, as God's stewards, we have a great responsibility to insure that it has a relevant role to play in instilling the Scripture into the hands, hearts and minds of the next generation," said Barnes.

Most recently, Barnes led a partnership with the American Bible Society for Geneva Global Inc., an organization that provides insight into making life-changing philanthropic investments in outreach ministries in some of the world's most difficult places to work. The effort resulted in enabling the Society to demonstrate to donors that their investments result in real and lasting life changes. At Geneva Global, Barnes served as senior vice president and director of Advisory Services. Subsequently, Barnes assisted in the creation of Global Scripture Impact for the Bible Society with offices in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

His service to the American Bible Society includes a decade of participation on the National Church Advisory Council Steering Committee and on the African American Jubilee Bible's editorial board.

Prior to his work with Geneva Global, Barnes was the president and executive director of the Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools Inc. (FOCUS), a national ministry serving America's independent school population. During his tenure FOCUS experienced unprecedented growth developing into an effective vehicle for ministry to a diverse student body.

Barnes is a graduate of the University of Warwick, England, with a joint honors bachelor's degree in English Literature and Religious Studies. Barnes, who holds a post graduate certificate in teaching, earned a master's degree in Religious Studies from the University of London in 1988 and completed further postgraduate studies in Business Administration from the Warwick Business School in 1992.

He and his wife, Lucy, live in Pennsylvania near Valley Forge.

Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York City, 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."

Further information about the American Bible Society is available here.