They Communicate and Learn Differently

There is a big push right now to have the Bible translated into all the world’s languages and dialects by 2033. That is an important goal, and we need to pray for it and look forward to it. However, our founders identified a huge gap between having a written Bible in a local language and the people’s ability to read and understand it. Whether presented in print or digitally, many in an unreached people group can’t read or write. Even more so, they communicate and learn differently. What does that mean?

While they might have access to the written Bible in their heart language, the Scriptures may not be accessible because they are not presented in a way that people in that language group can engage with or understand. Many are oral in their communication and learning style. They communicate and learn through recitation, listening, repetition, dramatizing, music, and song. They are community-oriented and learn through face-to-face sharing of stories and engaging in dialogue. This is very different from literate, book culture learners.

Hand in Hand

When the message delivered requires engagement through literate communication, it imposes a foreign communication style and creates a barrier to those of oral cultures. It appears that Jesus is a foreign god introducing a foreign religion, causing them to believe that Jesus is not for them. However, Jesus did not ask people to change their education and culture. In contrast, Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds in ways that were accessible to them.

Many people are living and dying without access to the Word of God. That is heartbreaking. SIU is built on the premise that Bible translation and oral Scripture engagement work hand in hand to close the gap, making the Scriptures accessible to the majority of the unreached.

Ninety Percent

There are an estimated 5.7 to 6.5 billion people living in oral cultures worldwide. That’s approximately 70-80% of the world’s current population. There are still an estimated 3 to 3.5 billion people living in oral cultures who have yet to be reached and engaged with the Gospel. That’s 90% of the remaining unreached. The lives of these unreached people are most likely to be transformed through word-for-word Bible storytelling and other orality-based strategies that connect with them through the communication forms they understand.

SIU seeks to follow the example of Jesus by giving everyone access to God and His Word in their own cultural communication forms and heart language. It is reproducible and sustainable, producing leaders from within the culture and leading to the growth of the Kingdom of God, which transforms lives and communities. The end goal is to see disciples making disciples and for all to be reached and engaged in the living Word of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Translation and Engagement

Please join me in praying that God’s great story would be delivered and received the world over. Pray for the completion of Bible translation into all languages and dialects. Pray also that the translated Scriptures will be delivered in forms that can be received and engaged by those who are yet unreached, in ways they can understand and that reach their hearts.

Challenge 2026

We are truly blessed to be associated with some faithful, generous foundations. One of them has challenged us with a $30,000 matching grant for every new donor to SIU!
Your investment in the work of SIU has great impact. Historically and conservatively, each group of 20 trained leaders from our Bridges training events has led to 60 new believers and 12 new house churches in the first year alone!

Please share/forward this opportunity with those you know who might be interested in joining our efforts to reach and engage the lost living in oral cultures through Oral Scripture Engagement. They can give here: Matching Grant Challenge 2026.

Our God is on the move! He is advancing His Kingdom among oral cultures. Thank you for being a part of finishing the task of the Great Commission that He has called us to.

They Communicate and Learn Differently