The document discusses Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH), an organization that publishes audio Bibles in local languages to make scripture accessible in oral cultures. It describes FCBH's vision, mission, and strategy of partnering with local organizations to establish Bible listening groups. Key aspects include publishing dramatized audio Bibles, establishing regular listening programs, conducting follow-up meetings, and reporting results to strengthen the overall effort.

1. Faith Comes By Hearing ... Publishing the Scriptures in Audio

3. The Vision of Hosanna Our vision and passion is to make the Word of God available in every nation in the heart language of the people. … Every Nation, Every Language, Every Tribe, Every Person …

4. Our Mission . To bring god’s church together and make disciples of the nations

5. The Challenge we face Our world’s population: 6.7 billion 50% of the people cannot read! We have a task of recording the New Testament wherever there is a viable translation. We have a desire to see the Scriptures bring transformation to the nations.

6. How we do our ministry We have two primary ministry tasks: Publishing the Scriptures in audio . Working with partners to establish FCBH listening programs.

7. The Scriptures are published in a dramatized format using 25 people to voice nearly 200 speaking parts. A sound track supplies dramatic sound effects to the production. The audio publication is completely faithful to the written text. Not one word of the text is changed.

9. Some important points FCBH is a program of regular Bible listening. The listening program can be a bridge into literacy. Hosanna establishes the FCBH program through strategic partners in the field. Hosanna’s desired outcome is impact on the people. We are never satisfied with simple mass distribution.

10. Here is the essential question that must be answered if we are serious about vernacular scriptures being used by local churches and Christians. If more than 50% of the world’s population is non-literate … Then, how will these vernacular scriptures impact and transform their communities?

11. Will the answers we find to that question be sustainable? Or, will our answers destroy local initiative and create dependency? In the early 1990’s Victor Okomfu Osofo Damuah and Kofi Asare Opuku at the University of Ghana attempted collecting and publishing writings of various people as a kind of “Bible” of ATR.

12. Their assumption was that having a book of sacred writings would bring legitimacy to ATR as a world religion—and, codify the elements of an oral tradition. But, is it “The Book” that gives validity to Christianity? Is literacy a prerequisite for being a “real” Christian? Even though we all know that words were aural symbolizations of human thought for thousands of years before they were “thingified” into writing.

13. Is it possible that an audio publication of the New Testament could be as valid and culturally appropriate as a printed text in an oral culture?

14. We could discuss these questions for the rest of the week!

15. However, with these questions in mind, let’s look at how Faith Comes By Hearing empowers people in 107 countries with the audio new testament through strategic partnerships.

16. Hosanna’s Ministry to the nations In 1972 under the leadership of Jerry Jackson, Hosanna pioneered the Christian tape lending library. During the 1970’s and ’80’s Hosanna provided audio Bibles to the Church in the USA. In 1986 Hosanna began to publish the audio Bible in other languages.

17. Today Hosanna has published 424 audio New Testaments in partnership with a variety of local organizations. In 359 different languages of the World The heart languages of 4.5 billion people Languages spoken in 97 countries

18. Tomorrow Hosanna is working with SIL, Bible Societies, and other ministries to publish 2000 audio New Testaments by the year 2016 Hosanna is partnering with Bible Societies, Christian ministries, SIL, and hundreds of indigenous organizations to establish two million new FCBH listening groups by the year 2016

19. Lessons learned Simply making audio recordings of the Scriptures is not enough. It is necessary to have a systematic program implemented by local people that will bring people together to listen to the audio Scriptures. The dramatized audio publications are better received by oral people than the single voice recordings.

20. FCBH stimulates the use of vernacular language printed Bibles in the local church. From anecdotal reporting we learned that in some FCBH programs participants were learning to read. Some FCBH programs experience significant increase in church planting.

21. Hosanna technology Hosanna has developed cutting edge technology for delivering the audio Scriptures in a variety of ways. That technology is not an end in itself, but, a tool for doing what God has called us to do: Partner with people to make disciples of the nations .

23. Partnership and creative strategies Potential national partners should have in place the core competency and the capacity—in terms of infrastructure—to carry out their part of the FCBH program. Hosanna has national Field Coordinators who can assist with capacity building—in terms of leadership development—and program contextualization. Our national Field Coordinators are trained to work with our partners to help identify FCBH workers that are passionate about the scriptures and FCBH.

24. Faith Comes By Hearing Partnerships Endorsing Partners Facilitating Partners Implementing Partners

28. National FCBH Program Hosanna/FCBH Bible Society Jesus Film FCBH Bible Society FCBH Scripture Union FCBH World Vision FCBH Church of Pentecost FCBH Assemblies of God FCBH GILLBT FCBH Word For All FCBH Other FCBH All Proclaimers & FCBH Supplies

29. Hosanna FCBH Africa Greg Fisher FCBH Africa Regional Manager Theo Asare FCBH Consultant for Africa Charles Fumadorh West & Francophone Africa Coordinator Willie Alamu Nigeria & Southern Africa Coordinator Christine Muwanga Eastern Africa Coordinator FCBH Rep FCBH Rep FCBH Rep FCBH Rep FCBH Rep FCBH Rep Scripture Union World Vision Jesus Film SIL/ Wycliffe (GILLBT) Church Denominations Bible Societies Other Organizations

34. Three Sizes of Partners Stone FCBH Rock Sand

38. NOW Let’s put it all together …