Zondervan is set to send 6,200 free Today's New International Version (TNIV) Bibles to Willow Creek Association churches late this month as part of a TNIV partnership between the two organizations.

The Willow Creek Association is a group of more than 10,000 evangelical churches from 90 denominations in 35 countries. The 6,200 U.S. churches will each receive a free copy of a TNIV Bible.

The new TNIV release, which has garnered translation controversy from Christian circles, was thrust into the national media spotlight earlier this month after Rolling Stone magazine declined to run an ad for the new version-which targets 18- to 34-year-olds-in its publication. The decision was later reversed and the ad is running as scheduled-but not before a major media frenzy erupted, reporting on the magazine's decision.

"As someone who is passionate about evangelism, I enthusiastically embrace the TNIV as a translation that faithfully communicates God's Word to the next generation of seekers and believers," said Bill Hybels, senior pastor and co-founder of Willow Creek Community Church. "The TNIV is not only accurate, but incredibly readable. I look forward to using the TNIV for personal study, preaching and evangelism."

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