International (MNN) — In response to hearing God's Word in their own
language for the first time, millions of people are coming to Christ around the
world.
Faith Comes By Hearing is making this possible by recording
dramatized New Testaments on Proclaimers–digital and solar devices that make audio Scripture easily accessible to anyone, no matter how remote their village is.
Morgan Jackson, president of Faith Comes By Hearing, describes
the reactions of people as the FCBH teams enter villages and share Christ for the first time: "People who have never heard God's Word in their own language are in shock when they hear it for the first time. They gather the whole community. You push the button [on the Proclaimer], and
it's like … all sound disappears."
After they have listened for a few moments, there are
generally two reactions to what they hear. Besides shock, others break into tears as they hear the Words of Christ
in their own language because they were convinced that God had forgotten about
them or refused to speak their language.
Once the initial shock wears off, many receive
Christ or are filled with questions which may eventually lead them to faith.
Regardless of whether it's immediate or delayed, millions are accepting
the Gospel.
In India specifically, one church-planter has seen his ministry
expand from 19 villages, 11 churches, and 1500 listeners to 24 villages, 15
churches, and 1900 listeners in just one year.
So far, FCBH has recorded New Testaments
in 460 languages, and translators start a new language about every two days.
Also, they have around 500,000 listening groups worldwide, which offer
discussions and discipleship for new believers and interested seekers.
However, FCBH does not want to stop there. "Our
long-term objective by 2016 is to record every language that has a New Testament
translation and to start two million Faith Comes By Hearing listening
groups," said Jackson.
The number of languages with current New Testament
translations is about 2,000, so Faith Comes By Hearing has a long road ahead.
FCBH and partner ministry Wycliffe Bible Translators
continue cautiously, yet not discouraged. And you can help. It takes just $157 to reach a whole community with the hope of
Christ in their native language, or $1.57 for one person.
Help today by visiting faithcomesbyhearing.com or
calling (800)545-6552.
