Out of the 7.2 billion people on the planet, around 4.2 billion have no access to the internet, according to a report by the United Nations’ Broadband Commission. That means over half of the global population has no access to a digitized Bible source option.

And especially for isolated communities, digital access is often the easiest way to reach them with the Gospel.

However, due to a major recent breakthrough by Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH), they were able to deliver the Bible to an unconnected smartphone using shortwave radio towers over 3,000 miles for the first time ever.

The transmission towers used to send the data package over 3,000 miles for the first time! (Photo courtesy of FCBH)

Troy Carl, Vice President of FCBH, explains, “Yesterday, we were able to transmit file casting data packets from Guam all the way to Thailand using shortwave frequencies, and we were able to do that in partnership with Trans World Radio. So it was really quite exciting! Basically what we did is created one-way internet access turning that tower into a super WiFi router. And that’s quite a story because it’s never been done!”

To put it another way, Carl wrote this description in a recent post:

Just like the one you use everyday in your house, where you connect a data source (internet cable) and a power source (you plug it in) and the little antennas broadcast internet around your house (say 500 ft.) and you connect to it with your phone to read/listen/see the data it’s transmitting.

In Guam, we took a HUGE antenna, (supplied by Trans World Radio), hooked up a data source (a Bible.is app device), turned the power on (250kw) and sent the data into the air bouncing it off the ionosphere over 3,000 MILES!

Our team in Chang Mai Thailand, hooked up to this giant router with a proprietary decompiler. Then sideloaded the Bible.is app with all its content to multiple smart phones using a simple wifi broadcaster!

This success is just phase two in a three-step program through FCBH called the Global Bible Network.

Carl shares, “About a year and a half ago we began developing a way to connect people to the Bible in their own language even when there’s no internet access around. So we put together an aerospace council bringing in industry experts.

“First we use satellites to penetrate difficult areas of the world. Then we use terrestrial towers to broadcast or relay that content around the world. And then last and final, we use cyber technology to distribute the content from phone-to-phone…. This particular test done in Guam successfully was the second leg of that particular Global Bible Network.”

The Bible.is app is available through Faith Comes By Hearing (Photo courtesy of FCBH)

This breakthrough is a big deal for the Great Commission.

According to The Joshua Project, 40.4 percent of the world’s people groups are still unreached; just over 3 billion people.

“It really is quite exciting because it means we have the potential of distributing Bible content directly to people’s mobile devices potentially using short-wave frequencies, very high frequencies. And we can do that without any kind of impediments all the way around the globe — even 3,000 miles away — without connectivity or traditional internet access,” says Carl.

“The next step is to integrate other frequency bandwidths such as FM, AM, VHF and a variety of others. Shortwave was the most difficult. Being able to achieve that with a very minimal data airway now allows us to expand into much broader frequency sets. Then what we do is integrate that into unique devices, possibly even a simple mobile app, that allows data to come to an individual without the traditional data plans.”

To complete the final phase of the Global Bible Network project, they could use funding for the transmission towers and satellite systems.

And currently, if you click here to donate to the Global Bible Network initiative with FCBH, a matching donor will double your gift!

“I think the important thing to remember is we’re living in an incredibly exciting time where even old technology or old understanding of technology can be leveraged in brand new ways and hopefully allow us to get the Gospel to every single human on earth,” Carl says. “Matthew 24:14 could be fulfilled even in our lifetime!”

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Faith Comes by Hearing (FCBH) VP Troy Carl says they are working on a digital network that uses mobile devices, satellites, and language-recognition to deliver God’s Word to every person on earth.

“The whole idea is to connect the unconnected,” says Carl.

“This kind of technology isn’t just for our particular type of distribution, but it actually will create a whole new kind of phone network and other types of communication networks that we’re going to see in the next few years.”

Through the FCBH Bible.is app, smartphones can connect to one another and share Scripture in any number of heart languages–without using the Internet or a data plan.

“Just like when you want something you look at your phone, you talk to your phone and it searches and brings you that content: someday, it’s going to bring you the Word of God,” says Carl.

Better yet, under the “private” setting, Scripture can be passed through multiple phones without revealing what it is. That will make evangelistic activities in countries like North Korea or Iran, where sharing the Gospel can get you killed, much easier.

Here’s how it works.

(Graphic courtesy FCBH)

“It’s kind of like sending a message along the Pony Express,” Carl explains. “The Pony Express rider goes to the different locations, and then he has an opportunity to [do one of four things]: forward the message; unpack the message; deliver it to the person; or, cancel the message.

“That’s what a Delay-Tolerant Network, or a Mesh Network, does on-the-ground. We simply send information from one device to another device to another device, until it gets to the intended recipient.”

The good news doesn’t stop there.

The Global Bible Network

What use would a Bible app have if it could only deliver God’s Word in English? In order to reach everyone who needs the Lord, FCBH is leveraging their growing database of Bible recordings.

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“In recent days, we’ve been able to develop what we’re calling a Language-Recognition Algorithm,” shares Carl.

“We’ve been able to teach a computer how to recognize what language [is being spoken] and then intelligently route biblical content to that person based on the language they’re speaking.

“It’s an absolute game-changer, and I believe it’s a fulfillment of prophecy.”

Referencing passages like Habbakuk 2:14 and Matthew 24:14, Carl observes, “The Greek word [used for ‘nations’ is] ‘epnos‘: language, tribe, tongue.

“One day – and, I believe, in our lifetime — every language, every tribe, every tongue, will have free and open and easy access to the Word of God in their own language.”

The Global Bible Network is a technological development that FCBH can only produce with outside help. “God has brought together one of the most amazing, capable teams of experts that will help us build this particular system,” states Carl.

See who’s on the team here.

“They’re the ones that have said, ‘Troy, this is not impossible…. The military’s been doing this kind of thing for a long time; now we get to use our gifts and talents for the Kingdom of God.”

(Photo courtesy FCBH)

Here’s how you can pray for the team as they find ways to leverage technology for the Great Commission:

• Ask the Lord to give the FCBH team wisdom and insight as they develop the Global Bible Network.
• Pray for the protection and health of team members. Pray they will not be overburdened or distracted from what God has willed.
• Pray for the salvation of unreached people who will have access to God’s Word through the Global Bible Network.

Stay up-to-date on the latest Global Bible Network developments here.