Don R. Falkenberg (born July 3, 1894)

Don R. Falkenberg’s birth on July 3, 1894, marked the beginning of a life that would help stir a quiet, steady movement: ordinary believers speaking of Christ and placing Scripture into willing hands with courage and simplicity. His influence was not built on a platform, but on a conviction that God uses faithful people in everyday places—shops, offices, sidewalks, and conversations that most would call small.

Falkenberg’s story is often remembered for its practical heroism. Not the heroism of headlines, but of consistency: doing the next right thing, trusting that God’s Word does not fail. He helped remind the church that evangelism is not reserved for the pulpit, and that a willing witness may be as close as the next coworker or passerby. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16).

Mid-West Businessmen’s Council (1923)

In 1923, Falkenberg founded the Mid-West Businessmen’s Council of the Pocket Testament League. The emphasis was direct and workable: mobilize laymen to carry pocket-sized Testaments and share them personally, with courtesy and clarity. The workplace became a mission field not by force, but by readiness—men and women who listened, prayed, spoke plainly, and offered the Scriptures to those who truly wanted them.

This approach honored Christ in busy streets and crowded schedules. It also called believers to Christian character: humility without timidity, boldness without harshness, and perseverance when results were unseen. Falkenberg’s vision treated each encounter as a matter of eternal significance, trusting the Lord to use a single passage read at the right moment. “So My word that goes forth from My mouth will not return to Me void, but it will accomplish what I please…” (Isaiah 55:11).

Bible Literature International (1967)

In 1967, the ministry’s name became Bible Literature International, reflecting a widening vision for Scripture distribution. The new name signaled growth beyond earlier boundaries while keeping the same heartbeat: God’s Word in people’s hands, and God’s people speaking with simple faith.

Falkenberg’s legacy endures wherever believers carry Scripture, offer it freely, and trust the Lord to awaken faith through the written Word.