Bible Society Australia (BSA) has appointed long‑serving mission leader, Chris Melville, as its new Chief Executive Officer following an extensive independent recruitment process. Mr Melville has been serving as Interim CEO for the past six months and previously held the role of Chief of Mission, where he oversaw BSA’s domestic and international mission work.
The Bible Society, with a donations and bequest income of $12.6m in FY24/5, remains one of Australia’s largest Christian charities (leaving aside the large social welfare organisations that are mostly government-funded)
Melville’s appointment follows what the BSA Board describes as a “comprehensive” and “prayerfully‑discerned” search that attracted extensive interest.
Melville has served with Bible Society Australia for 21 years, becoming a specialist in the core mission of Bible Society, translating, producing and distributing Bibles. He has worked closely with global Bible Societies and other organisations involved in translating and producing Bibles. His appointment can be read as a signal that the Bible Society is strongly focused on its traditional aims.
“Chris has demonstrated deep commitment to Bible Society’s mission over many years, andthroughout the recruitment process it became clear he possesses the experience, character and vision needed to lead BSA forward,” Andrew Wiseman, the BSA Board chair, said.
“We are grateful for the way Chris has led during his time as Interim CEO, and we lookahead with confidence in both his leadership and in God’s continued faithfulness to this ministry.”
Chris Melville responded, “I’m genuinely humbled by this responsibility. One of the biggest opportunities we have is to serve the church and its communities so that more people can engage with God’s Word. Helping people open the Bible – in a language and format that speaks to their hearts – is at the core of everything we do.”
Fully aware that the task of translating the Bible is radically incomplete, Melville added, “It’s not just language barriers – although with one in five people still waiting for the Bible in their heart language, and 129 million people with no Scripture at all, that need is enormous. It’s also the educational and circumstantial barriers that keep people from accessing the Bible.
But Melville is aware that people are reading the Bible in new and different means. “Technology is giving us new ways to help people engage with Scripture, especially when geography or circumstance makes access difficult. And we don’t do any of this alone – it’s through partnership with churches, agencies and supporters that we can help more people encounter the hope of God’s Word.”
“Many Australians assume the Bible is everywhere, yet millions – globally and here at home – still face real barriers to accessing Scripture. Part of our task is illuminating that challenge, so people can understand why this work matters.”
With the divestiture of the Koorong bookchain, BSA enters 2026 as a different organisation. “This past year has been one of significant change, yet we remain assured of God’s provision,” Wiseman said. “We’re excited to see how BSA’s mission continues to grow under Chris’s leadership.”
Image: Chris Melville (suited) at an ADF Bible event. Image Credit: BSA