Those who seek to fulfill the Great Commission do so in many different ways. From medical missions, schools, and orphanages to street preaching and Bible translation, the Gospel is going out. For this piece, we are concerned with reaching those who cannot read their own language. “How shall they hear?”

What Is the 5fish App and How Does It Work?

For over 8 decades, Gospel Recordings/Global Recordings Network has pioneered producing audio materials in thousands of the world’s languages. Many ministries have in recent decades added this capability to their toolbox. GRN rejoices to see this happen! But for those who still are using primarily written materials, let us introduce you to our audio materials.

Why Audio Gospel Tools Matter for Oral Learners

Even wonderful missions like Wycliffe/SIL, who have long focused on Literacy as a second prong to the top goal of Bible Translation, have discovered that some cultures will probably never value the written word. While everyone supporting missionary evangelism should wish for the goal of EVERY culture having a well-translated complete Bible available, the facts are that many smaller groups will never have this.

Gospel Recordings, now GRN, took a different tack from the beginning. We recorded simple audio “tracts” for even the smallest of languages. For the oral learner, for those who have no Bible available, and for those whose culture or dominant religion mkes publicly hearing a Gospel message dangerous, these audio recordings can be instrumental in introducing them to the Gospel message. (“Introduction” is the key here – we always hope and pray that more – more preaching, more teaching, Scripture itself—will be available for the new believers resulting from our recordings. Indeed, the introductory recordings often will result in belivers motivated enough to acquire or achieve these things!)

Using the 5fish App in Missionary Settings

The beauty of these digital evangelism tools is that they can be used in any missionary or evangelism setting. Hospitals have people sitting around, often far from their language area, with time to play Gospel recordings. Street evangelists are wonderful if they speak the language of most of their hearers. But they do run into those who speak “unknown tongues” –what then? And especially in unwelcoming cultures, taking audio materials home to listen to in private is often a good alternative.

Access Thousands of Languages for Free

Check out the audio resources available. Www.5fish.mobi provides free access to thousands of Gospel or Bible programs. Other ministries such as Jesus Film Project and Wycliffe Bible Translators have supplied additional materials besides the Words of Life (short topical messages, no pictures), Good News (1 flipchart from Creation to Christ), and Look Listen and Live (longer series on 8 flipcharts).

On the 5fish app (freely downloadable to your phone) go to your area of the world, then your country, and then check out the list of languages. Each language lists what materials are available.

We encourage you to use these audio tools in your efforts to fulfil the Great Commission!