When Scripture arrives, transformation follows.
How many Bibles do you own?
The one on your nightstand. The study Bible on your shelf. Maybe one in your car. A digital version on your phone.
Now picture this: One Bible. One entire church.
That single Bible gets passed from hand to hand each Sunday. People wait their turn to read a verse. They go home trying to remember what they heard, unable to study or review on their own.
Petros Network has seen 1.9 million new believers come to faith in Jesus Christ, many of whom don’t have access to God’s Word in their heart language or in a form they can understand.
The Problem: Vulnerable Without Scripture
One church planter explains: “One of the biggest challenges here is that people don’t really know what Scripture says. They only know what they’ve been told, and unfortunately, that has led many into idol worship.”
Pastor Samuel adds: “One of our biggest challenges is that many of our church members don’t have Bibles, and without them, it’s hard to grow in unity and understanding.”
But when Scripture arrives, transformation follows:
“Before the Word of God came, people were murdering. The Gospel has transformed the community and people have come to know that only God can save them—and now they are destroying their witchcraft items.”
The Challenge: Most Can’t Read
In the rural villages where these believers live, literacy rates drop below 30%. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the adult literacy rate is only 65% (UNESCO), but in remote pastoral communities, it’s far lower.
Even when believers desperately want to engage with Scripture, most can’t read it. Poverty keeps children out of school—especially girls who drop out early or are married off young.
Pastor Samuel works around this barrier: “I’ve been doing my best to translate the Word from English into the local language, so our church can understand and grow in truth. It’s not easy, but I know it matters.”
One pastor. Translating by hand. Week after week.
The Solution: Audio Bibles
Over 70% of the world’s population are oral learners—people who process information better through listening than reading.
Audio Bibles overcome the literacy barrier and align with how these communities naturally learn.
Paul, a missionary planting churches in unreached villages: “I feel called to take the Word of God to people who don’t yet understand it. I want people to listen to the Bible and receive salvation.”
With solar-powered audio Bibles, people can:
- Hear the Word clearly, even if they can’t read
- Understand Scripture in their mother tongue
- Share one device among 20-30 people in village gatherings
Studies show that oral Bible engagement increases Scripture retention by 40-60% compared to written text for oral learners.
Every audio Bible:
- Protects believers from false teaching
- Brings unity to churches
- Transforms communities
- Makes disciples who can make disciples
Samuel’s congregation could access Scripture anytime, not just during his weekly translations.
Paul could reach village after village, leaving God’s Word behind—continuing to speak truth long after he moves on.
Put God’s Word Into the Hands of New Believers
This Giving Tuesday—December 2— you have an opportunity to put God’s Word into the hands of believers hungry for Scripture.
“When people hear the truth of God’s Word, it will set them free—just like it did for me.” —Church Planter, Ethiopia
$150 provides 10 audio Bibles to new believers who can’t read but are ready to hear and follow God’s Word.
You can participate in two ways:
1. Give directly to provide audio Bibles to communities waiting to hear Scripture in their heart language.
2. Start a fundraising campaign and invite others to join you in bringing God’s Word to these 1.9 million new believers.
One Bible sits on your shelf.
One audio Bible you give changes an entire church.
At Petros Network, we believe that compassion can change the world. This holiday season, join us in turning generosity into transformation, one gift at a time.
