TALKING BIBLES AND “HIDDEN PEOPLES”

A primary focus of the Talking Bible ministry is the provide God’s Word in audio for non-reading people, especially those who are people of an oral culture. We have a passion to provide this ministry for people that no one else is reaching.

I recall how, years ago, when I was doing my postgraduate work a Fuller’s School of World Mission, I took some classes under Dr. Ralph Winter. I recall vividly how he spoke with passion about “hidden peoples,” i. e. unreached people that weren’t on the radar screen of any missionary sending organizations. These “hidden peoples” were the unreached who were a forgotten people. No one seemed to be aware or to have plans to reach them. They were identified as being “hidden people.”

Our Talking Bible ministry has that passion displayed by Dr. Winter. Not only so, but we have the technical equipment and method for a ministry to bless otherwise “hidden peoples.” I’m thinking of people for whom the New Testament has been translated and printed. Only a few can read. They probably live far from where there is an available professional recording studio. Using a professional studio is impractical and probably too costly. Their New Testament will have to be recorded where the narrator is available. Here is how it takes place.

Mark has put together a backpack in which is all the needed recording equipment and the manual he has written describing each step the person using his backpack recording studio will use to do an audio recording to make a Talking Bible in that language. The person or persons going out with the backpack, will locate a room in a quiet place convenient for the narrator. That will become a temporary recording studio. Blankets on two walls or their equivalent will give an excellent acoustical accommodation. Sometimes closet doors are opened and mirrors or smooth headboards of beds are covered to deaden otherwise reflected sounds. And I know that a small, mud-walled house with a grass roof is almost perfect in which to do an excellent recording.

We’ve trained people who have done these kinds of recordings on numerous occasions. The end result is as good as a recording done in a professional studio.

Talking Bibles International is a servant ministry. Pray for people to catch the vision and embrace the passion. Perhaps your mission or your church has a special people for whom you want to provide God’s Word in audio. Check it out with our office and explore how it can be accomplished. With God nothing is impossible. God hears and answers prayer. God has whatever is needed to make it happen. Trust Him.

Because they need to hear,
Harvey Hoekstra – harvey@talkingbibles.org
www.talkingbibles.org

Goal: A SPECIAL, TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY IN THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES WITH A SPECIAL OFFERING TO PROVIDE TALKING BIBLES IN NEEDED LANGUAGES AND FOR THE BLIND.