Why Translation and Audio Access Matter for Heart Languages 

I’ve traveled to places where the gospel is alive in the air—and places where it feels like it hasn’t yet found its way into the language of the people. Time and time again, especially in West Africa, I’ve been confronted with a reality that’s easy to overlook when you live in a resource-rich environment: there are millions of people who still don’t have access to the Bible in their heart language. 
 
Recently, I sat with a global partner from South Asia who is still in the middle of a long, patient process: translating Scripture into Sambalpuri, a heart language spoken by ~2.63 million people. Our church has had the privilege of contributing over the last several years toward the New Testament translation—and now, the Old Testament. 
 
But translation is only the first step. Once the words are ready, the next question is: how will people access them?

• For some, it’s a printed Bible they can hold in their hands.
• For others, it’s hearing the words—through audio recordings, dramatized readings, or storytelling—because their culture passes truth through the ear, not the eye.
• And for others still, it’s seeing the gospel lived out before them in community. 

 
The gospel is astonishingly adaptable—it weaves truth into every culture and every learning style, with love and grace, as the Holy Spirit brings it alive. But the Church has to do the work of making sure the message arrives. 
 
That’s why part of the Acts 2 Movement of the Baptist World Alliance—and the broader call to “finish the task”—is making Scripture accessible to every person in their heart language. Not just translated, but available in the form they can actually receive. 
 
The question is: what are we willing to do?

• Will we adopt a translation project?
• Will we partner with the global Church to fund audio recordings?
• Will we ensure that the Word isn’t just completed, but truly heard? 

 
We’ve been a part of this process for years, and by God’s grace, we will continue to do so through the WMO/Engagement Offering. Because the story of Jesus is meant to be heard, read, seen, and lived—until every heart has access. 
 
And if you’d love to know more about living that out right where you are, becoming a Neighborhood Chaplain is a great first step. It’s a simple, intentional way to bring the presence of Jesus into your community—while staying connected to what God is doing around the world. Grab coffee with Luke Stehr, and see what God does through you in the spaces you already reside.