For more than 87 years, Daily Word® magazine has offered people of all faiths practical, spiritual teachings that empower abundant and meaningful living. Comprised of daily messages of hope and inspiration, poetry and feature articles, the magazine exemplifies Unity's belief that focusing on positive statements and thoughts can enhance one's life.

When the magazine launched in 1924, it had 16,000 subscribers. Within a year, the list had grown to 43,000. Today, Daily Word has a circulation of 500,000 subscribers and is read in 150 countries.  

International Outreach
Daily Word has a widespread international outreach with 18 affiliates located in Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico, Ghana, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Nigeria, Venezuela, Guyana, The Netherlands, Jamaica, Portugal, New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago. With the exception of Canada, Germany, Brazil, and The Netherlands, international affiliates serve the people within their country.

The internationally distributed editions are printed in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese and German. The French edition, La Parole Quotidienne, is translated and distributed from Canada. The German edition is done so from Germany, the Dutch edition from The Netherlands, and the Portuguese edition from Brazil.

“The international Daily Word affiliates are extraordinary people doing incredible work,” says Lois Cheatham from the International Services Department at Unity World Headquarters and Unity Village. “Each is dedicated to sharing Unity, thus allowing us the opportunity to reach people outside of the United States. Their work and their consciousness are huge assets to the work we do in the world!” 

Cheatham notes that most of the international affiliates are volunteers, and all personally fund the printing and distribution of the international editions. “Unity World Headquarters provides the electronic file for translation and/or printing, but we do not hire, pay or financially subsidize the affiliates,” she explains. “In addition, timely delivery of a dated publication that reflects language and cultural differences, along with a cost that is priced in local currency at a comparable rate in that country, are factors in providing good service. The people who serve in these ministries are dedicated to sharing Truth and have worked hard to establish outreach programs where they share Daily Word in their communities.”

Because the international affiliates have varying economic structures, access to technology and standards for quality, the published magazine differs by country. For example, some countries such as Ghana and Nigeria use a copier to create their editions because printers are unavailable. The French version is smaller due to postal regulations. “While there are some differences in each edition,” Cheatham says, “one thing remains consistent: The message you read each day is the same message read around the world.”

More Than a Magazine
There are many interesting stories about Daily Word's international outreach. In the Netherlands, the Dutch edition was established by a sea captain who was inspired by a copy left on a table when he came into port in the United States to register his cargo. In Trinidad, most Daily Word issues are distributed through local businesses such as bakeries, fish markets, bookstores, dress shops and apothecaries. “These are community places where people of all faith traditions can buy it,” Cheatham says.

The international affiliates do much more than print and distribute the magazine, often wearing “many hats” for the Unity movement. “Many of our affiliates have made it their life work to share Daily Word and Unity message in their country,” Cheatham says. Many also serve as local directors of Silent Unity, as ministers, and/or as Unity teachers.

“Every time I think of the work our affiliates do, I'm amazed and humbled by their dedication,” she continues. “They do whatever it takes to keep the magazine circulating in their countries, and really make it accessible to people where they live and work. They are invaluable to our international outreach and ‘do Unity' in a big way.”