June 5th, is International Day of the Unreached.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. – Acts 2:4
But what if you can’t physically (or even virtually) be present with others in order to share the Gospel with them? Today, June 5th, is International Day of the Unreached. In his book A Third of Us, Newell (2021) writes that approximately 3.2 billion (41% of the world’s population) are considered to be “unreached and unsaved” and who are served by just 3% of the global missionary force!
Audio Bibles
We at Empower Dreams have increasingly felt called to use audio Bible technology to reach some of these unreached and under-reached groups. The verse above from the Book of Acts describes Jesus’ disciples who, on the Day of Pentecost, suddenly were empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin speaking other languages in order to share the Gospel with more people. While many of us are not blessed to speak multiple languages, unreached and under-reached peoples can still hear the Bible – many, if not most, for the very first time! – thanks to the work of MegaVoice and other organizations that produce portable audio Bibles. These audio Bibles are small, portable, solar-powered devices that are simple to use. Depending on the model, many also have AM/FM/SW radio capacity and an LED flashlight, both important features for people living in remote areas not connected to a power grid.
Large percentages of these people groups are illiterate so the only way for them to be exposed to the Good News of Jesus is by listening. And, while these people groups may be multilingual speakers and listeners with some proficiency in their country’s national language, nothing can replace the ability to hear the Gospel in their native indigenous language or “heart language.”
Peru
One of Empower Dreams first audio Bible efforts was launched in Peru. Soon we will begin supporting another Peruvian indigenous people group, the Matsigenka whose heart language is Machiguenga. The U.S. Embassy in Lima considers this to be a “do not travel” area due to potential terrorist activity. Undeterred however, one of our partners in Peru, Pastor Santiago, is bringing the Gospel to this unreached people group. In order to minister to them, he travels four hours, two in a vehicle and two hours on foot into the jungle to get to the remote village of Chakopishiato (which doesn’t appear on any official map). By the grace of God, Pastor Santiago and his wife are working in the area to plant new churches in the native Matsigenka communities in Peru’s Cusco region.
Empower Dreams and Pastor Santiago are anxiously awaiting the delivery of audio Bibles along with the Jesus Film battery-powered backpack to be hand-delivered (for safety reasons) in the next few months. Most of Pastor Santiago’s parishioners church do not know how to read or write. These audio Bibles will be used in the area of discipleship and memorizing verses. The Jesus movie (also in their language) will be projected during evangelism outreaches.
Pastor Santiago and his wife are currently working in three communities and have plans to reach out to four more. They want to plant a church in each community and disciple the believers with the goal of having the believers “read” (i.e., listen to) their Bibles in their homes. They are creating a reading/listening plan so everyone can be learning the same portion of scripture during the week. His desire is to give the audio Bibles to the heads of households. They will be responsible to have the family listen/read the Bible scripture each evening. When the believers come together, they will discuss the scriptures they have read during the week. Pastor Santiago already has brought many Matsigenka to Christ.
Uganda
More recently, halfway around the world from Peru, Empower Dreams is just beginning to work with a new partner, All Nations, via their Uganda hub. Although the audio Bibles only arrived a few weeks ago, our contact there reports that over 54 new Bible groups have been formed as a result of these audio Bibles. One recipient quit selling drugs and started a small business in which he would sell various plastic items traveling from ghetto to ghetto. He also carried audio Bibles with him and planted Discovery Bible Study (DBS) groups in every ghetto he went through. To date, he has planted 28 of these groups. One of the members from one of these groups began working with prostitutes and has formed 17 new churches in which they are parishioners. Other DBS groups also have been launched elsewhere. While this is a great start, Empower Dreams and All Nations are anxious to see how far God will take this ministry in Uganda.
In Conclusion
Although referring to His parable of the Sower, recall Jesus said in Matthew 13:9, “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Through audio Bible technology, we have the opportunity to help a “third of us” heart the Gospel for the first time and in their heart language.
Will you join us in this effort? Visit https://www.empowerdreams.org/donate-1 to learn more.
