Audio Bible Technology Changes The Delivery But Not The Message

Albuquerque, N.M. (PRWEB) November 11, 2007 -- Audio Bible technology is changing the way missionaries are presenting the Gospel, and leading this innovative charge is the US-based non-profit, Faith Comes By Hearing (http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/).

Washington Post reporter Mary Jordan recently encountered and wrote about the many facets of this organization's cutting-edge technology while on assignment in Cambodia. In her article, "Plugging the Planet into the Word," Jordan references several Faith Comes By Hearing innovations and the impact the Audio Scriptures are having in countries where most people can not read.

One of the technologies mentioned is the Proclaimer, a portable, digital playback unit, which missionaries use to broadcast Audio Bible recordings to "listening groups" of up to 300 people. The compact size and lightweight design make it possible for workers to reach remote villages and secluded areas with Scripture recordings.

This nearly indestructible audio player was designed to stand up to the rugged requirements that field workers desire and inclement conditions demand. After Hurricane Felix slammed into Nicaragua and flooded his home, one Faith Comes By Hearing worker reported that "all was lost," only to find that his rain-soaked Proclaimers still played.

Since their first Proclaimer shipment in the summer of 2006, Faith Comes By Hearing has now sent more than 40,000 units to the poor and illiterate peoples of the world.

"This remarkable unit has allowed us to reach the poorest of the poor communities," said Faith Comes By Hearing International Director, Morgan Jackson.

"Faith Comes By Hearing has been recording the Bible in audio since 1973 and using every advancement in technology to accomplish this mission," said Jerry Jackson, Faith Comes By Hearing president and founder.

Jordan's Post article discusses how Faith Comes By Hearing is using the most revolutionary audio technology, called MP3 compression, to help evangelists import the Bible into closed and restricted countries.

"Prior to MP3 technology, the Audio Bible had to be loaded on dozens of CDs," said Jon Wilke, Faith Comes By Hearing spokesperson. "Now, we can put the entire New Testament on a single CD, drastically reducing both the size and cost of the production process."

Currently, Faith Comes By Hearing is shipping more than 12,000 Audio Bibles on MP3 CDs every week, many of which are being distributed to American churches through the audio program You've Got The Time. In this volunteer listening initiative, U.S. churches receive free Audio Bibles for every man, woman and child. In mid-December, Faith Comes By Hearing is slated to launch the first city-wide campaign promoting Audio Bible listening.

With the portability and popularity of mobile audio players in mind, Faith Comes By Hearing designed the BibleStick. This small, digital Audio Bible, about the size of a chewing gum pack, combines portable, audio technology and on-the-go convenience.

The BibleStick comes pre-loaded with the listener's choice of several English versions in either non-dramatized or dramatized format. The dramatized format includes background music, sound effects and multiple character voices. Listeners can also choose BibleSticks in nearly every language that has been recorded.

Continuing their innovative track, Faith Comes By Hearing recently announced free Audio Bible downloads, which are available at their organizational website. Individuals can download New Testaments in any of the numerous recorded languages from anywhere they have Internet access.

"The invention of the Web, digital technology and portable playback devices -- even personal cell phones -- have helped put the Audio Bible into the hands of over 70 percent of the earth's population," said Jerry Jackson.

Because 3.1 billion people around the world can not read, Faith Comes By Hearing seeks to reach oral communicators and the poor and illiterate peoples of the world with the Word of God using audio technology. Faith Comes By Hearing now has 314 Audio Scripture recordings in 266 languages spoken by 4.3 billion people in more than 92 countries.

http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/

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