Five Reasons Why You Should Take Audio Bibles on Short Term Mission Trips

Short term mission trips, when done well, offer a life-changing way for individuals to serve the global church. Currently, over two million Americans participate in short term mission trips each year. If you are embarking on a mission trip of your own, congratulations on committing to this significant venture!

As you’ve surely realized, one of the most important considerations is what to bring on your trip. What you pack may vary considerably based on climate, trip duration, and workload. However, one item is an excellent choice for everyone, regardless of whether you’re serving at an urban youth center in California or building houses in Costa Rica – a MegaVoice audio Bible.

Many seasoned long-term missionaries have shared compelling testimonies with us about the power of audio Bibles in a missions context. In this article, we’re looking at five reasons why you should bring audio Bibles on your short term mission trip.

#1: The gift of a solar-powered audio Bible in someone’s heart language is a great way to make a friend.

One of the disadvantages of short-term missions is that participants aren’t typically fluent in the language of their destination. This can make it harder to build friendships and connect with locals. However, because MegaVoice audio Bibles are available in over 6,000 languages, these easy-to-use devices can be an incredible connection point in an unfamiliar culture.

What better way to bridge the language divide than to offer someone an audio Bible in their heart language? You may even choose to use the audio Bible as a tool to help you prepare for your trip as it may be helpful in familiarizing you with the native language. On short term mission trips, making efficient and meaningful connections is key. A personalized gift, one that shows that you care about the local culture, is a simple in-road to introducing the Gospel in a new place.

#2: Many people around the world prefer to learn by listening, not reading.

Print Bibles are cheaper than audio Bibles (although they will take up far more space in your luggage!). However, many global cultures are oral. The individuals you encounter on your trip may prefer to learn by listening rather than reading. In some contexts, many people may not be able to read at all. An audio Bible is appropriate for everyone, including young children, elders, people with vision loss, and people with developmental disabilities as well.

You can feel confident giving an audio Bible to anyone, knowing that they will be able to understand and enjoy God’s Word on a daily basis without limitation. If you are ministering to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, a video Bible tablet is the perfect choice.

#3: Spiritual growth often unfolds over years, not weeks.

A common criticism of short-term missions is that they’re more about creating a certain experience for the missionary instead of actually making a long-term impact in a culture. In reality, it is very hard to change people’s lives for the better in a span of days or weeks. As believers, though, we know that God’s Word does have that power.

By leaving an audio Bible with a new friend, you’re giving that person (and their family and community, since MegaVoice audio Bibles have a powerful external speaker and are typically listened to by 10-15 people at a time) long-term access to God’s Word in their heart language. This extends the impact of your trip from weeks to years.

Audio Bibles offer a great way to create long-term impact from a short-term trip.

#4: MegaVoice audio Bibles are designed for use in remote, rugged environments.

MegaVoice audio Bibles are designed for use in places where electricity and Wi-Fi may not be readily available. They can withstand heat, moisture, and dust far better than smartphones or more cheaply made mp3 players. This makes them excellent for usage in rural, impoverished, or crisis contexts.

Even in an urban environment where these considerations may be less important, an audio Bible lets people ‘just press play’ on the Bible in a way that smart devices don’t. Cell phones offer myriad distractions, even if they also host audio Bible apps. A dedicated device with personalized Bible content is a strategic way to promote focused engagement with God’s word in any setting.

#5: Audio Bibles can be customized for all short term mission trips.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of MegaVoice audio Bibles in a missions context is their capacity for customization. MegaVoice has one of the largest audio and video Scripture libraries in the world, with Christian resources in over 6,000 languages and dialects. We will help you load your players with content selected specifically for the people group you’re serving.

Whether you’re ministering to women in prison who speak Spanish, elders in India who speak Hindi but cannot read, Deaf people in Texas for whom ASL is their heart language, or children in Papua New Guinea who need the comfort of child-friendly Bible stories in their native language, MegaVoice has audio and video available for your particular mission!

RELATED: 7 Ways to Maximize Your Mission Trip 

Are you interested in bringing MegaVoice audio Bibles on your mission trip? We would love to partner with you! In fact, we would love to give you a free audio Bible for use on your short-term mission trip. Find out more here.