Audio Version of Bible Now Available in 733 Languages

By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Saturday, July 13, 2013

A New Mexico-based ministry has added eight more languages to its Scripture recordings, which are now available in 733 languages with the potential of reaching three-quarters of the world's population with the Gospel. The ministry offers free access to its digital resources.

"Whether it be through resources, technology, our talented and dedicated staff, or ministry partners from all over the world, God's provision continues to make our work possible," said Jerry Jackson, founder and president of Faith Comes By Hearing, in a statement announcing the newest additions.

The new languages include Awajun from Peru; Canela from Brazil; Chadian Arabic and Kenga from Chad; Tharaka from Kenya; Toura from Cote d'Ivoire; and the Copala dialect (part of the Trique dialects) and Yatzachi dialect (of the Zapoteco dialects) from Mexico.

Chadian Arabic is the largest people group from these new releases, while the smallest is Canela, spoken primarily in Brazil, the ministry said. The new releases represent more than 1.4 million people who now have God's Word in audio available in their heart language.

The 733 languages collectively represent a potential outreach to more than 5.7 billion people in more than 189 different countries.

Faith Comes By Hearing offers free access to its digital collection of Scripture via streaming, downloads, and podcasts. The ministry has also developed apps, like Bible.is and Deaf Bible.is.

To reach out to those who do not have regular access to the Internet or mobile devices, the FCBH provides audio versions of New Testaments via its 330,000 solar-powered proclaimers.

The FCBH seeks to help fulfill the Great Commission in this generation by providing access to the Word of God in every translated language. Its mission is to "record and use heart-language Audio Bibles to bring His church together and make disciples from every nation, tribe, language, and people."

The audio version of the Bible is significant because 50 percent of the world's population is illiterate, the ministry says. "A vast majority of people living in underdeveloped countries cannot read the Word of God, even when it is translated in their own language … The easy accessibility of our Audio Bibles makes them an effective tool in spreading the Word to every person around the world who wants or needs to hear about God's Love."