International (FCBH/MNN) ― A lot of things can change in a year. Just about a year ago, Faith Comes By Hearing announced the release of their 500th language recording.
This month, the audio Bible ministry is announcing the release of 11 new language recordings, bringing the total New Testament recordings to more than 600 languages.
According to FCBH, these languages combined are spoken by more than 5 billion people in over 185 countries around the world. The 11 new language releases represent more than 650,000 people who now have the Word of God in an audio format and in their heart language.
They are: Bawm (Bangladesh), Biate (India), Chinantec de Ozumacin (Mexico), Gbaya Southwest (Central African Republic), Koorete (Ethiopia), Margos Quechua (Peru), Mousgoum (Cameroon), Nomaande (Cameroon), Samba Leko (Cameroon), Tabaru (Indonesia) and Tarahumara Baja (Mexico).
"This sort of amazing progress is only possible through great partners working together for the Kingdom," said Morgan Jackson, Faith Comes By Hearing's international director, speaking in a news release. "From translators to recording teams to the donors who fund the work, this is the Body of Christ coming together."
With the completion of Margos, the ministry has touched on a milestone of sorts. It's the 17th Quechuan language to be added to the ministry's catalog. Ayacucho Quechua was among the very first heart languages to be recorded by the ministry.
Faith Comes By Hearing offers free access to Audio Bibles through streaming and podcasts, while the Bible.is app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices now offers access to Bibles in more than 600 languages.
For those areas that do not yet have regular access to the Internet or mobile devices, Faith Comes By Hearing continues to provide Audio New Testaments on solar-powered Proclaimers for listening groups. As of Sept. 2011, more than 290,000 of these digital audio devices are making The Bible available around the world.
FCBH isn't stopping to rest on its laurels, however. They're already making plans for 2013--their 40th year of recording--providing Audio New Testaments and making God's Word accessible to all.
