MIDDLEBURG — What began as a personal mission to share Christian teachings with readers around the world has grown into an achievement measured in the millions.

Harold Lerch Sr., a retired engineer and author from the Middleburg area, surpassed two million downloads of his books through Google Books and other digital platforms in March 2025, marking a milestone in a publishing effort that has steadily expanded over the past two decades.

The 76-year-old Lerch operates Word to the World Ministries from his home, where he has spent years writing, translating and distributing free Christian literature. His catalog has grown from a few hundred titles to 3,652 books available in dozens of languages. The scale of his work is matched only by the simplicity of his motivation.

“The whole reason I write is because the Bible is the literal word of God and everything in it is true,” Lerch said.

The latest milestone reflects continued growth since he first reported reaching one million downloads worldwide. Through expanded translation efforts and wider online distribution, his works have continued finding new audiences across continents and cultures.

“At the end of every month, Google lets me do a sales summery,” Lerch said, laughing at the term. “It says how many sold the last 30 days.”

Because his books are free, the word “sold” is more amusing than accurate. Still, the report helps him track which languages and subjects are reaching readers.

A calling that became a catalog

Lerch began writing in 2001 after what he described as a calling to present a biblical creation perspective through books and educational materials. After retiring from engineering in 2009, he devoted more time to writing and publishing, significantly expanding his output.

A native of the Lewistown area, Lerch traces many of his values to his youth. One of his first jobs was delivering The Sentinel on Logan Street, a position he credits with teaching discipline and a strong work ethic. After graduating from Lewistown High School in 1968, he attended Penn State and earned a degree from the College of Engineering before building a career in the field.

“God took care of me,” Lerch said of his engineering career. “Why don’t I do these books and give them away for free to people? Besides, they shouldn’t pay to read the word of God.”

His books draw from both his engineering background and his interest in biblical studies. Many focus on Christian living, Bible study, creationism and the relationship between faith, science and history. Lerch believes modern science and archaeology often support biblical accounts, a perspective that appears throughout his publications.

Reaching the world from rural Pennsylvania

To broaden the reach of his work, Lerch founded Word to the World Ministries, an outreach dedicated to publishing and distributing Christian resources internationally. His books have been translated into as many as 85 languages, allowing readers in countries around the world to access the material in their native tongues.

He uses Google Translate, which he calls “fairly reliable,” to produce versions in other languages. “I have to go through and look for words,” said Lerch, who marks troublesome words in red as he writes.

Even his own name has proven difficult to translate, which is why it appears as Harald Lark in many editions. “In foreign languages, it translates better,” he joked.

The ministry’s catalog includes Bible studies, devotionals, children’s books and adventure stories for younger readers. Many titles are offered free through digital platforms, a strategy designed to remove financial barriers and encourage greater access to Christian literature. The approach has proven successful. Each book is available in an average of 63 languages, though some, like his Amish-focused titles, appear in fewer.

Download totals have climbed steadily, ultimately surpassing the two million mark. Today, Lerch averages 36,150 downloads per month and has cleared the 2.5-million mark.

Collaborations and continued growth

In addition to producing his own books, Lerch has assisted other authors. In 2019, he collaborated with former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Randy Lerch on “God in the Bullpen: The Randy Lerch Story,” which recounts the former major leaguer’s struggles with alcohol and amphetamines and his eventual journey to faith. He also corroborated on another baseball book as well as a book with a television reporter, which are awaiting publication.

His recent titles include “Modern Moralities,” which examines the influence of television and entertainment media on public attitudes and values. Lerch argues that television plays a significant role in shaping public opinion, particularly regarding faith, and encourages readers to examine issues from a biblical perspective. His newest book, “Christian Teenager Challenges,” is available in 60 languages.

Those familiar with Lerch’s work say the most remarkable aspect of his achievement is the scale of his reach. Working from rural Snyder County, he has leveraged digital printing and translation technology to connect with readers in dozens of countries. The accomplishment also highlights the changing nature of publishing, showing how authors can reach global audiences without major publishing houses.

Today, Lerch continues writing and expanding his catalog while living near Middleburg with his wife, Jeanne. The couple has two children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

More than six decades after beginning a newspaper route as a young boy, Lerch remains dedicated to sharing information with readers. The difference is that his audience now extends far beyond a single neighborhood.

“It’s growing,” Lerch said of his download counts. “I attribute that to the number of books I have available. I’m getting a better idea of what kind of books people want to read.”

With more than 2.5 million downloads and thousands of translated titles available worldwide, Lerch continues to demonstrate how one person’s vision can reach readers across the globe.