Speaking Hope to the World in More Than 300 Languages

Now more than ever, it’s essential to reach people around the world for Jesus in their heart languages. Thanks largely to increased efforts to share the gospel with more people groups in India and the South Asia region, TWR is now speaking hope globally in more than 300 languages and dialects.

Among the mother tongues added to TWR’s vast catalog are Dhundari, Wagdi and Western Marwari as well as Kodava, Ranglong and Vedda (spoken in Sri Lanka), these last three considered among the world’s most endangered languages.

While the majority of the 300 languages and dialects are broadcast over TWR’s international network of high-powered transmitters and through connections with local stations, some are distributed exclusively in online programming or on digital recordings played on audio devices.

“Our goal is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world, so that includes everyone,” said TWR President Lauren Libby. “How we deliver programming is not always on big broadcast platforms but also through audio players, by digital means and by using apps.”

Since its first broadcasts in French, Spanish and English in 1954, TWR has endeavored to fulfill Jesus’ mandate to make disciples of all nations by sharing the gospel in media users’ own languages.

When it comes to the importance of hearing the good news in one’s heart language, consider this testimony from a listener in Egypt: “Your program was given to me as a gift from God when I was in need of spiritual food, and it was the first and only source of encouragement for my faith after I received the Lord Jesus into my heart.”

Over the last several years, TWR India has organized thousands of Radio Home Groups, which involve neighbors gathering to hear and discuss Thru the Bible (TTB) recordings. Many of TWR’s recently added languages comprise new translations of the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s Bible-teaching series, which is the foundation of TWR’s longtime partnership with TTB.

At the core of TWR’s online programming is the web-based portal TWR360. Offering abundant Scripture-based audio, video and text for on-demand use, TWR360 just this month added its 100th language.

A Spanish-speaking woman in Guatemala shared this response: “In the beginning I listened to the programs on the radio. And now, in these times of technology, I listen through the app. I cannot explain in a few words all the ways that listening has helped me. Even when I have felt so far from God … especially at night, when my soul is downcast and I have needed to get out of the dark pit, it has been [your] blessed programs that have helped me in a great way to be able to see the light of God again!”