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!”

The
end date for international shortwave broadcasts from Radio Station HCJB in
Ecuador will be between September and November 2009. Staff members working near the station's
international transmitter site in Pifo have already dismantled all but 14
antennas and towers.

Present
shortwave broadcasts in Portuguese, Spanish, German and indigenous languages,
including Quichua, had earlier been announced to end no later than April 1,
2010.

The
ministry is also looking into transferring HCJB-2, the ministry's 37-year-old
FM station in Guayaquil into the hands of local partners.

These
moves are being made to implement the mission's new strategy which was launched
in the 1990s. HCJB  is focusing on "radio
planting"–helping local ministries realize their dream of beginning a
Christian radio ministry. More than 300
local stations have been helped in these endeavors worldwide, including about
60 in Latin America. HCJB Global also
continues to expand its training ministries across the region.

"The
way people consume media has changed," said HCJB Global President Wayne
Pederson. "So we have the opportunity to change to delivery systems such as
satellite, FM Internet and podcasting. The closing of shortwave in Latin
America is strategic because of the planting of local FM radio stations across
the region and around the world. These stations are staffed and programmed by
local believers who can speak to the culture in their own communities."

Pederson recently told the staff that a high priority for the mission is its
initiative for Latin America called Corrientes that launches in October. The
coalition of more than 10 Christian organizations involves training Latin
Americans for bi-vocational mission work around the world.

However, a welcome six-month extension was given when requested by HCJB last year. Then, recently, in addition, another six-month extension was given. Now, the station will remain open until October 2008–a year longer than expected. 

This allows the station to continue doing test broadcasts to Europe and to Brazil. They air
Portuguese, Spanish, Quichua, Quechua, German, Low German, Cofan, Waorani, and Culina from the shortwave station. They are researching these broadcasts as they are produced in digital shortwave formats. As the face of radio changes, HCJB is keeping up with the changes to remain relevant to their intended audience.

After the station is removed, the mass media director for HCJB Global, Doug Weber, says, "We will continue to broadcast after the 2008 deadline on the remaining antennas for as long as we feel is reasonable and prudent."

HCJB Global Voice stations help get God's word into homes. Local stations are then encouraged to get involved in the community to develop long-term relationships in order to make a lasting impact for Christ.    

In 1975, Czech broadcasts were launched on shortwave from
Radio Station HCJB in Quito,
Ecuador. Slovak
was added seven years later. The team continued to minister in the country
through the Velvet Revolution, and split into the independent Republics.

Czech speakers Pavel and Klara Steiger later moved their
broadcasting efforts to the Czech
Republic to develop local
FM broadcasting through a partnership between HCJB Global and Trans World
Radio.

When change visited again in 2002, the shortwave broadcasts
were finished and the suggestion of Internet and satellite broadcasting came
into play.  

Today, the Internet connects the Steigers with
Czech-speaking people around the world.  According
to HCJB Global, the website (www.hcjb.cz) receives about 250 visitors per day.

It also providing access to recent and archived programs as
well as the ministry's bilingual magazine digest, The Battle for the Soul.  Pray for the team's wisdom as they respond to
listener questions.