Bible Ministries Reaching Further During Recession

It’s no secret that the U.S. economy is struggling to land aground.  Big businesses and brand-name ministries are cutting costs, cutting services and cutting jobs, all at an alarming rate.

In a recent Christianity Today article, “The Not-for-Profit Surge,” author John W. Kennedy writes that many ministries report drops in regular donations, major gifts and investment income.  Some ministries have even seen double-digit percent decreases in their 2009 budgets.

“In the tough economic climate, donors want to know they are having the most impact for the Kingdom,” said Jerry Jackson, founder and president of the world’s foremost Audio Bible ministry.  “People know that the need for God’s Word is so great among poor and illiterate people of the world.  And, they are responding because they know the value of supporting the Bible cause.”

Faith Comes By Hearing, the world’s foremost Audio Bible ministry, records and uses Audio Bibles to disciple the world’s poor and illiterate people.  Their mission is to record the New Testament in 2,000 languages and to start two million Bible listening groups by 2016 to reach the 50% of the world who cannot read and are poor.

In February 2009, this Albuquerque, N.M.-based non-profit was one of only a handful of charities to receive their second consecutive Charity Navigator 4-Star rating for fiscal responsibility.  Faith Comes By Hearing has an impeccable 36-year financial history.

Faith Comes By Hearing has their biggest year of outreach planned, The goal for 2009 is to implement 200,000 Bible listening groups worldwide.  This ambitious aim would reach around 18 million people with the Gospel.

Jackson said that worldwide ministry partners have seen how effective the strategy of Bible listening is and that more than $30 million is needed for this year’s goal.

Walter and Sherri Green from Waxahachie, Texas, are regular supporters to Faith Comes By Hearing.

While on a donor trip to Guatemala, they clearly felt the call from God tugging at their hearts to help poor and illiterate people have the Word of God in audio.  Years later, they are still emotionally affected and touched deeply after witnessing what happened to people who heard God’s Word for the first time in their own language.

Hundreds of chattering children and adults suddenly stopped and listened intently, Sherri recalled.  The Greens then gratefully watched as many gave their hearts to Christ.

“We are impressed with the transparency that Faith Comes By Hearing provides,” Sherri explains.  “At any time we can ask for proof of dollars spent.  They also continually update us about how the mission is moving forward.”

When you give to Faith Comes By Hearing, your dollars are used responsibly, Sherri explained.

Typically, a gift of $157 provides an Audio New Testament in the heart language to an entire village.  However, Wycliffe Bible Translators recently offered a $334,000 matching challenge, doubling the impact of each gift.

“We are called to reach every nation, tribe and tongue with the Word of God in audio.  Please join us!” said Jackson.