Faith Comes By Hearing
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
Dramatized vernacular audio cassette of Bible or portions of Bible.
Description
Faith Comes By Hearing is a dramatized recording of the New Testament and portions of the Old Testament, designed to instill a daily habit of Bible listening among listeners.
The strategy revolves around the development of an organized listening program. This is one of Faith Comes By Hearing's strengths. It also can be used as a radio program through a partnership with TWR (Trans World Radio), the International Bible Society, and the United Bible Societies. It is called the "Radio Bible".
Hosanna’s primary goal is to record complete New Testament translations; creating a dramatized audio version of the printed Word.
A recording can be an excellent tool for a Christian church able to embrace the "meat" of the whole New Testament recorded straight through. It provides mature believers the opportunity to go through the complete New Testament. Newer believers, on the other hand, are often more motivated to listen to Scripture when it is produced in small portions and mixed with other relevant content. Hosanna is willing to negotiate development of smaller portions for alternative uses. A recorded New Testament can be a resource for use in other media applications.
Mission
Faith Comes By Hearing records and uses heart-language audio Bibles to bring His Church together and create disciples from every nation, tribe, language, and people.
Goal
Along with our prestigious partners, Faith Comes By Hearing is working to record an audio Bible in 2,000 new languages by the year 2016, which would reach 97% of the world’s population.
The initial goal is for each person in a church to listen or read through the New Testament in 30-90 days. Versions in 332 languages have already been produced by Faith Comes By Hearing. Visit their website to see the languages available, and get the most recent information.
Strengths and Recommendations
A high-quality dramatized audio version of the Scriptures, the Faith Comes By Hearing listening program is intended to provide the dynamic of discipleship and sustainability of Bible study for individuals as well as a body of believers. Non-readers may be used for voices, using the prompter technique.
With appropriate structure and leadership, the long term program of listening to and discussing the recordings can be an effective tool for church growth.
Considerations
- Background music and sound effects (M&E) are Western style.
- The cultural appropriateness needs to be determined.
- The recording can be done without any background music.
- The length of the M&E must match the length of the spoken text.
- Voice effects are easily adjusted for cultural tastes.
- The time needed to record the entire New Testament must be considered. This can be determined by careful planning and communication. Hosanna will send 1-2 trained technicians with all necessary equipment to a designated country for studio recording. Recording the New Testament can be accomplished in four weeks under optimal conditions, but often more time is required.
- A recording team from another country could be asked to help.
- Appropriate discourse markers, particularly those that mark transitions, and distinct voice changes will help the audience follow transitions.
- Anyone involved in the recording process is paid (included in the $23,700 production cost). This may set a precedence for future talent involvement.
- The Faith Comes By Hearing program includes a specific strategy for use and as such is a "turn-key product".
Limitations
- Post production usually takes six months to a year after recording is completed.
- Typically, 25 different voices are needed for the various parts (although it can be done with less). Background and sound effects are predetermined. Usually the background music is not substituted.
- The epistles have music but no sound effects.
Guidelines for Use
Hosanna will consider helping fund Faith Comes By Hearing programs. They may want an agreement to divide the responsibilities.
Some recordings of Old Testament portions have been completed. As the need arises, Hosanna will consider doing others. Hosanna will not usually help fund Old Testament recordings.
The background music and effects (M&E) track can be changed if a group creates the music themselves. It also would need to be approved by Hosanna. That would be a major task and is discouraged by Hosanna.
The process for distribution, use and follow up of the Faith Comes By Hearing program is not negotiable. Hosanna will negotiate the use of the recordings beyond the basic Faith Comes By Hearing program. Local churches use the audio tapes on local radio, to play when visiting those who are ill or shut in, for evangelization, etc.
After the recording is ready for distribution, a suitable plan for tape and player care, organization of listening groups and confirmation of their continuation is necessary. Such a plan is critical to a program's success.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Audio Bible samples are available through the Hosanna website. Copies of Audio Bibles for your people group may later be obtained from Hosanna’s main facilities in the USA upon completion.
Partners
- Campus Crusade for Christ International
- Wycliffe Bible Translators
- World Vision International
- United Bible Societies
- International Bible Society
- American Bible Society
- Scripture Union International
- Trans World Radio
Cost
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Current copyright owner
Other Information
Founded on November 17, 1972 by Jerry and Annette Jackson
