Two leading Christian ministries have joined forces to distribute more than 87,000 Bibles in 22 languages across Africa and the Philippines.

CURE International, which provides free surgical care to children with disabilities, is partnering with global Bible ministry Biblica.

The £400,000 project will supply families at CURE’s eight hospitals with Scripture in their heart language.

Earnest Kioko, CURE’s chief ministry officer, said in an interview with The Christian Post: “Of all the things we can give our patients… the Bible is the greatest gift.”

CURE, founded in 1996, has carried out over 330,000 surgeries for children with conditions such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

CEO Justin Narducci said: “That’s part of our Gospel witness. Really good healthcare for kids that they couldn’t get elsewhere.”

Biblica’s president Geof Morin described the partnership as “Kingdom collaboration”, saying: “They are providing compassionate, Christ-centred care to children and their families who desperately need to experience the healing love of God.”

As part of its spiritual ministry, CURE also helps children complete Bible studies and connects them to local churches after treatment.

In some cases, Kioko explained: this spiritual support helps challenge cultural beliefs that disabilities are a curse.

“When healing comes through surgery and faith, it changes everything.”