Jesus Christ, the living Word, never comes back with empty hands; He always accomplishes His purpose (Isaiah 55:11). How has God's Word affected your life? The lives in your family, church, and community?
In chapter 4 of John's Gospel, a weary Jesus encountered a woman by a well. Not just any woman—a Samaritan, belonging to a community hated by Jews. Not just any Samaritan—an adulteress who was not even welcome among her own people. Through a water-of-life-giving conversation, she brought her testimony back to her town and boldly shared the Word:
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." – John 4:39-42
----
Acts chapter 2 recounts another community-transmuting event. While celebrating the Feast of Weeks, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the words He gave them—in other tongues. A multitude of other festive Jews from all over the known world heard Truth in their own languages.
So those who received his [Peter's] word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:41-47
(Listen to God's Word on Bible.is today.)
----
Talk about regeneration—the Word of God, communicated in a form people can understand and relate to, changed these communities in an unprecedented way. Ritualistic, ethnic, and cultural barriers gave way as people joined the Body of Christ. Hearing resulted in faith in the hearts of thousands, and the Church exploded into being.
Have you seen this kind of change take place in yourself, your family, or your community?
Faith Comes By Hearing rejoices when any person hears God's Word in their heart language and turns to Christ—how much more a whole community! We work with you and 700+ ministry partners around the world to record and freely provide Scripture in every language that needs it by the year 2033. This goal is achievable with your help. From small sparks to sweeping wildfires, the results are stunning:
Asia
A partner working with speakers of the Berwa* language created a Berwa website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page that featured short Gospel Film clips. Within the first month, there were thousands of views, conversations, and downloads of the Berwa Bible App.
Since the Berwa community's religious beliefs are closely tied to their cultural identity, to embrace Christ is seen as rejecting their culture. Berwa Christians meet in small gatherings for Bible study, discipleship, and encouragement rather than visible church buildings. Online engagement on these digital platforms gave Berwa believers an opportunity to share in a non-confrontational way how they have found life and faith in Jesus.
"Jesus is the God of the Berwa people too. He loves us," responded an elder, when he heard a Bible story in his language for the first time.
Africa
"I looked at religion as a social club—a way to gain a sense of belonging to a group. This social security was what people in my community called religion. For my personal security and social position, I joined the local church of a large denomination, hoping to have a happy life and a decent chance in the afterlife. I faked it. I never believed in God or Jesus Christ.
"Upon the arrival of another ministry in my community, my colleagues and close friends suddenly got very serious about God. I thought we were all the same, but I began to see the difference between us. It wasn't until I received a Micro SD card and listened to the Luchaka* Audio Bible that I understood the truth. For the first time, I had to acknowledge to myself that I was not a follower of Christ and that I had been playing a game. Today, I am a totally transformed man. I depend on Christ in every area of my life, not on some membership in a religious social club. I stopped playing games and began to wholeheartedly serve my church."
Pacific
Our recording partner and his wife downloaded the Mombewe* Bible App from Faith Comes By Hearing and then shared it with their two daughters. Without realizing it, they planted a seed that would ultimately bear good fruit. The two daughters went to school and shared the Bible App with their classmates. From there, God's Word began to spread across the entire school. The recording partner proclaimed joyfully, "The Lord has visited us!" Now, over a hundred youth have surrendered to Jesus Christ and regularly attend the church's Friday night prayer service to listen to the Word of God.
Another testimony comes from a pastor who received an Audio Bible in February from the same recording partner. This pastor lives in a very remote mountain area three hours' walking distance from the nearest road. Last year, his village was completely wiped out by a flood, but has since been rebuilt. Upon receiving the Audio Bible, the pastor began loaning it out to various people in the village who would listen and then return it at the end of the week. To the pastor's astonishment, every person who had listened to the Audio Bible began coming to church. Praise be to God, his church is now overflowing with people!
----
As these stories show, when the living Word is heard, communities come to life.
Discover more testimonies of personal and community transformation in our blog.
Help us achieve Vision 2033: Give God's Word to more communities today.
To receive our email updates, click here.
*Name changed for security
.svg)
