International (MNN) — United States tariffs continue to shape ministry strategies around the globe. Darrel Templeton with MegaVoice says partners face ongoing uncertainty and high tariff charges as they purchase solar-powered audio Bibles manufactured primarily in China.
For example, a large order was taxed at 145 percent in late April.
“For a large order, that could be a couple thousand, or sixteen to twenty thousand dollars, just in tariffs.”
International partners aren’t ready for this kind of unexpected charge, as tariff charges are not a budgeted expense.
“What we’re seeing happen is uncertainty, and because of the uncertainty, some of our partners are holding off or asking to hold off on their orders of audio Bibles,” Templeton says. “The Kingdom work suffers because people are not able to receive and engage with the Word of God.”
What’s more, Templeton says the ripple effect downstream can be large. Missions trips teams are being stalled, and orders are having to be shipped directly to other countries rather than hand-carried from the U.S.
“When you’re trying to ship to some countries, it might not be the 145% tax, but you might end up with delays of months in customs, and still have to pay, you know, 30 percent tax.”
MegaVoice is on track to begin manufacturing audio Bibles in India this summer.
“That will be, perhaps, a solution; and then we’re also looking at being able to provide assembly of the same units in other countries,” Templeton says. Those include South Africa and Israel.
He says plans to relocate manufacturing and assembly were already in place when the tariffs were levied.
“As we look in hindsight, we see the Lord was helping us prepare.”
Please pray that God would give the MegaVoice team wisdom and favor to continue serving the needs of the church through the distribution of audio Bibles. Pray that partners would be understanding and that donors would continue their support to fund the process of sending God’s Word to those who have not heard it.
(MegaVoice audio Bible, photo courtesy of Mega Voice)
Featured photo courtesy of Markus Winkler via Pexels.
