The Modern English Version (MEV) Bible is poised for sustained growth and increased readership. Charisma House reports that the translation known as "Today's King James" has experienced strong traffic, demand and visibility since its official launch in May 2014.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) listed the Personal Size Large Print MEV (Passio/Charisma House) as the No. 11 best-selling Bible in June retail sales. In February, the MEV made it to ECPA’s list of top 10 Bible translations.

Jason McMullen, executive director of ministry services and MEV at Charisma House, is pleased with the MEV’s progress in the market.

"Our retail partners are encouraged by what they see," he said. "One of the retailers told us that we had jumped the translation hurdle and that the MEV has 'staying power.'”

"Translations are released, but they don’t all stick," McMullen said. "They don’t all stay around. … We don’t foresee that kind of trajectory for the MEV. We really see it having lasting power. ”

The MEV is the most modern translation produced in the King James tradition in 30 years. Like the King James Version, the MEV emphasizes literal accuracy and reverence for God, but the MEV has updated language for a modern audience.

McMullen said the MEV’s King James heritage gives it a “familiarity” that other modern translations lack, which is why the MEV has enjoyed such early success.

“I think those two things together make for a formidable pair in the translation market," he said. "Folks are looking for something they can trust, and that’s where the heritage comes in, but they want it in a language they can understand.”

The MEV is already featured on digital sites like Bible Gateway and YouVersion and will be available on Logos shortly. Charisma House is working on developing more MEV products, including partnerships with other “known quantities” in the marketplace. The company is also considering publishing a study Bible due to demand.

McMullen is grateful for the early successes, but recognizes there is still a lot of work to be done.

“I would say that we’re making a mark. We realize that this is a marathon, not a sprint. All in all, we’re pleased with how it’s going, and we’re grateful to the Lord for the ability to steward this.”

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