<P> Gideons International is an evangelical Christian association founded 1899 in Wisconsin . The Gideons ' primary activity is distributing copies of the Bible free of charge . This Bible distribution is a global enterprise taking place in 200 countries , territories and possessions . The association 's members focus on distributing complete Bibles , New Testaments , or portions thereof . These copies are printed in over 100 languages . The association is most widely known for its Bibles placed in hotel and motel rooms . The Gideons also distribute to hospitals and other medical offices , schools and colleges as well as jails and prisons . The association takes its name from the Biblical figure Gideon , depicted in Judges 6 . </P>
who are the gideons that put bibles in hotels
an evangelical Christian association founded 1899 in Wisconsin