Audio Missions Reach Out to Oral Learners

By The Christian Post, Wednesday, October 20, 2004

About two-thirds of the world’s population consists of oral learners, or people who learn through orally expressed stories, narratives, songs and proverbs, rather than through writing.

Recently, Christian leaders from over 130 gathered in Thailand for the World evangelization forum where 31 key issues were confronted. One 'Issue Group', whose focus was related to oral learning, emphasized that while some are oral learners because of illiteracy, for others it is simply a preferred way to interact with the world.

For Christian organizations like Trans World Radio and Audio Scripture ministries, this report reinforced efforts to provide audio versions of the Scriptures to their respective audiences. TWR’s Radio Bible project consists of 365 15-minute, mostly dramatized scripture broadcasts from the Old and New Testaments. It also includes background material so listeners can apply the material to their daily lives.

Audio Scripture Ministries is currently working with Bible translators and missionaries to develop scriptures in audio format for a Muslim-dominated North African country that contains many underground Christians.

Tom Dudenhoffer of ASM said this audio translation project is of benefit to people who don’t usually receive God’s Word in their own language. “Most of the material that they get is not in their language," Dudenhoffer said. "Islam is not communicated, typically, that way. So, when they hear something about god in their own heart language, and when the scriptures are provided, they listen eagerly, although, even there, they have to do it secretly.”

Since 1967 ASM has helped with 200 language programs around the world. With studios in four regions of the world, the ministry is committed to providing the translated Scriptures in audio that all may hear in their own language.

Sources:
MNN
Baptist Press