Bible societies exploiting technology to spread Word
Walk into any Christian bookstore in America and you will find shelf after shelf of Bibles in every shape, size, color and translation possible?Bibles tailored to every special interest group?women, men, children, teens, military, medical, and even sportsmen. These Bibles are no doubt a blessing for those who have both the resources to purchase them and the ability to read them.
But what about those who have neither? According to audio Bible distributor Faith Comes By Hearing, approximately 50 percent of the world's population is illiterate. Even if they could afford to purchase a Bible in a bookstore, they couldn't read it.
However, in today's technology-driven age, groups are rising to meet the challenge of providing the Bible to those who are illiterate or have limited literacy. These groups are taking the gospel to far-flung areas of the earth in print, on CDs and MP3s, and over the Internet.
"We are building our part of the wall of the kingdom," said Eric Fellman, president of World Bible Translation Center, based in North Richland Hills. WBTC exists to translate the Bible into an easy-to-read format in the top 100 languages spoken in the world. "We are a group that is totally committed to the original language. We believe the Holy Spirit wanted the common people to understand."
To enhance understanding, WBTC translations of the Bible use vocabulary that is understandable for the average fourth- or fifth-grader. "Even in America, literacy level is dropping from ninth-grade level to seventh grade," Fellman said. The Easy-to-Read Version of the Bible helps people grasp biblical concepts in everyday language.
WBTC has an Easy-to-Read Version of the Bible in 30 of the top 100 languages in the world. These versions are distributed in print and/or audio at cost by WBTC partners around the world. In addition, every edition is made available free of charge in a PDF format on the WBTC website.
WBTC Easy-to-Read Version has just recently been translated into Arabic and is being distributed in the Middle East.
"The Arabic version is incredibly important to supporting Christians in the Middle East," Fellman said. "In Egypt there are currently 6 million believers with no version of the Bible available until now."
In addition to world-wide efforts, the WBTC Easy-to-Read Version Spanish Bibles are being used to teach English in Texas and other areas with large Hispanic communities. "Our Spanish translation is side-by-side with simple English," Fellman said. "It is a good tool with ESL."
WBTC is ready and willing to partner with individuals, churches, and large organizations to get Easy-to-Read Versions of the Bible into the hands of those who need them most. Missionaries representing Southern Baptist mission boards have taken advantage of the resources for work around the world. For more information about how to partner with WBTC, visit their website at wbtc.org.
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In 1972, Jerry and Annette Jackson were ministering on a Hopi Indian Reservation where they found unused Hopi Bibles and realized that even though the Word was there, the people couldn't use it because they were illiterate. Out of that experience, the ministry of Faith Comes By Hearing and its audio Bible listening program were born.
FCBH focuses providing the Bible to the poor and illiterate in a culturally relevant way. According to FCBH statistics, the group has 24 recording centers throughout the world, staffed by 40 recording teams of national workers. In 2008, over $14.5 million was given to FCBH for its programs. Currently, FCBH has 454 audio Scripture recordings available in 388 languages. These recordings reach 4.5 billion people in 135 countries.
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