Pastor John and Pari are real people, but those aren’t their real names. The stories that we publish on our website are about real people, and the photos show some of the actual people in the story. Some of these people live in areas where it is unsafe to be a Christian. For this reason, we blur faces, change names, and do not specify exact locations for some of the Christians in our stories. Now enjoy the true story below!
Have you ever been beaten for sharing your faith? We hope not. Is sharing the Good News worth a beating? Yes it is!
Thank God most of us are not called to take a beating for being a Christian and wanting to share our faith. But there are some who are!
Pastor John has been beaten so others can hear about Jesus. He is one who has been called to suffer and be beaten for the Gospel’s sake.
John is a missionary. He did not grow up in the villages where he is working. He is a stranger who has come with the Good News, but not everyone thinks the message he brings is good news.
Four years ago, God called John to a task few would want to do. John packed up his wife and family and moved into a remote area in India where the name of Jesus was yet to be heard.
God blessed John with a small group of believers. Soon they built a church and started singing praises to God.
Then one day, 500 or more people rushed toward the church. They came with torches. They shouted to have the missionary killed. The mob went wild. Within minutes, the church was burned to the ground and John was being dragged down the street with a tire around his neck.
John was hauled down the street to the police station where he was beaten. There John stayed alone for four days before he was released.
Did John give up? Did he go back to where he came from? No. John sent his family back to safety, but he has been called to bring the Good News to people living in that area of India. That is where John wants to stay until he has accomplished the purpose for which God has sent him.
Now the new believers have no place to worship. How can John disciple them? Many are afraid to gather together for fear of the mob.
That is where the Talking Bible has been a real blessing for Pastor John. The new converts can each take a Talking Bible home and listen to it. Then when they are able to safely gather, they can discuss what they have heard.
One of the new converts, a woman named Pari, has difficulty gathering with the others. She had been beaten by her husband for believing the Good News. When she tried to go to church, her husband beat her. When she tried to meet with Pastor John, her husband beat her again and attacked the pastor. She cannot read or meet with other believers to grow in her faith, but she has a great longing to know more about God. The hostile environment in her home prevented this from happening until she got a Talking Bible.
Pastor John was able to give Pari a Talking Bible. For now, she hides it in her house. When her family is away, she listens to it in secret. God’s Word is a wonderful encouragement to her and her faith is growing. When he is able, Pastor John is continuing to disciple her in her faith and Pari is becoming a strong believer who can stand in the face of persecution by her own family.
This is common in many areas of India. Young Indian missionaries with the burning desire to reach their own people with the Good News are willing and ready to go into a remote area to share the Good News. They are willing to endure hardship and persecution to share their faith.
Not just India! In many areas of the world, people are routinely brutalized, jailed, and even killed for their faith in God. Being able to listen to God’s Word and receive comfort, strength, and hope is a huge encouragement to those who live in areas where persecution is common.
With the Talking Bible, these pastors and missionaries are able to teach non-readers right from the Bible what the truth is about God and His Son Jesus Christ. For the first time, they hear about a living God who loves them very much.
Your partnership with Talking Bibles International is helping to place Talking Bibles into the hands of people who have no other way to learn about God. They can’t read. They can’t meet regularly together. Without a Talking Bible, they are alone and have no way to learn about God’s love for them. A Talking Bible gives them knowledge, hope, and assurance of eternal salvation.
Please help us continue to place Talking Bibles in areas where Christians are persecuted. Together we can help Pastor John reach those who have no other way to learn about God and grow in their faith.
More Changed Life Stories
May 29, 2025
From Hopelessness to Healing – One Talking Bible Changed a Family—and a Village Walking for days . . . desperate to find peace—only to discover the gods she served could not answer. This was Eesha’s life. She and her husband, Ananda, poured their hearts into rituals, visiting temples, and seeking favor from gods they sought. But when Ananda's kidneys failed and he was on the brink of death, Eesha reached the end of herself. And then something miraculous happened. In that dark moment, Eesha encountered the true and living God . He revealed to her that she and Ananda were sinners in need of repentance—and He promised to never leave them if they chose to follow Him. By God’s mercy, through prayer and by faith, Ananda was healed. He and Eesha were baptized and began their walk with Jesus. Our Father works in many ways to reach His children. People who cannot read must hear His Word. For Eesha and Ananda, God’s way came through a Talking Bible. Though Eesha could not read, the Talking Bible allowed them to listen to God's Word together twice a day. It brought them closer to Jesus and deepened their understanding of His love. This gift didn’t stop with them. Eesha was excited about her new faith. She invited others to listen to the Talking Bible too. Today, six neighbors regularly gather to hear God’s Word. What began as a story of healing has become a story of transformation—a family, a village, changed through the power of God's Word. You can help! Right now, there are many people who need a Talking Bible. Can you help? Will you give a Talking Bible today? Reach the unreached for Jesus. Someone is waiting to hear God’s Word. Your gift of $50 will help place a Talking Bible into the hands of someone who needs to know Jesus Christ and hear about God’s love for them. Every Talking Bible has the power to change a life, a family, and even a village. Will you join us today to bring hope to those who need it most? Your support and prayers will help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Together, we will make a difference with God's Word.
May 1, 2025
Music Drew Sylvester to Church—God’s Word Changed His Life Sylvester loves to sing! His journey to faith began with a love for music, not Scripture. As a child, he was forced to attend church by his parents, but he had no real interest in Christianity. It wasn’t the sermons that captured his heart—it was the choir. Singing with others was the only part of church that resonated with him. Years later, after getting married, that same love for music drew him back to church, and he rejoined the choir. Spending time in church and among believers, his faith began to grow. His wife noticed the change, and soon she followed him. Sylvester admits that before returning, he lived a worldly life, but as his faith deepened, he left many of his old ways behind. Yet, despite his love for worship, Scripture still felt distant. Reading had never come easily to him, and during sermons, he often felt lost. But just as music stirred his soul, so did God’s Word —once he had the chance to hear it. Everything changed when Sylvester received a Talking Bible. “When I first heard the Gospel on the Talking Bible, it opened my heart in a way I never imagined. The words that were once just words on a page now came alive to me. That’s when my life truly began to change.” For the first time, Scripture spoke to him personally . The Gospel wasn’t just something he heard in church—it became part of his daily life. Naturally, Sylvester wanted to share his gift with others. He started a small listening group at his church, where 15 people gather every Friday to hear Scripture together. The group, which includes both literate and illiterate members, benefits from the Talking Bible’s inclusivity— everyone, regardless of their ability to read, can listen and grow in faith together. Through these weekly gatherings, lives are changing. Some members, who once rarely attended church, are now active members. Others have found strength to overcome harmful habits. Now, Sylvester sings for the Lord with a heart transformed by faith . His love for music led him back to church, but it was hearing God’s Word through the Talking Bible that changed his life forever. Now, he dreams of every member of his group having their own Talking Bible so they can continue growing in faith beyond their weekly meetings. Will you help make this dream a reality? P.S. Your gift is more than a donation—it’s equipping someone with the life-changing power of God’s Word.
March 1, 2025
Bharathamma’s family is growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others. “ I can learn the Word of God from the Talking Bible,” says Bharathamma. “Personally, I’m getting encouraged every time I listen. ” Bharathamma’s story is one of transformation and hope. Living in a small farming village in India, she never had the opportunity to go to school. Like many women in her community, she spent her life raising children and working in the fields. Fourteen years ago, when she became a follower of Jesus, she longed to read the Bible. But unable to read, she relied on her pastor’s Sunday sermons, memorizing scripture as best as she could. Her pastor often repeated Bible stories just so she could retain every word. A year ago, everything changed. Bharathamma’s pastor gave her a Talking Bible. For the first time, she could hear the scriptures in her own home, not just on Sundays. She began listening to God’s Word for an hour every day with her son and daughter-in-law. The results have been life-changing. Her daughter-in-law, who had previously professed faith but stopped attending church, and her son, who had been distant from the faith, started listening with her. Over the course of a year, the scriptures began to work in their hearts. Now, the entire family attends church together every week. “ Easily I can understand now,” Bharathamma says. “It’s really good to have the Talking Bible in my family. I keep it safe so that I can use it for a long time. ” Stories like Bharathamma’s are happening across India, where millions of people cannot read but long to know God’s Word. A Talking Bible opens the door for individuals and families to experience the life-changing power of scripture —bringing hope, faith, and renewal. With your help, stories like Bharathamma’s are possible. Your generosity brings the Word of God into homes where it can inspire transformation and hope. Will you join us in placing a Talking Bible in the hands of someone like Bharathamma? For just $50 , you can help provide a Talking Bible to someone in need. Your gift will help transform not only an individual’s life but their entire family and community. The need is urgent. There are millions of non-readers in India who, like Bharathamma, are eager to hear God’s Word and share it with their loved ones. Together, we can equip them with Talking Bibles— a tool that helps them grow in faith and bring others to Jesus. Your gift will make an eternal impact , allowing families like Bharathamma’s to grow in faith and share God’s love with others. Thank you for helping bring God’s Word to those who need it most.
December 27, 2024
Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. As believers, we know the profound importance of introducing children to the love and teachings of Jesus Christ . Yet, countless children worldwide are still eagerly waiting for this life-changing encounter. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (NIV). These words inspire our mission in Tanzania’s public school classrooms, where God is at work in incredible ways. This fall, we have been working tirelessly to provide Talking Bibles for Tanzanian public school classrooms. Why? Because God has opened a doo r, and the results have been remarkable! Pictures and stories show children sitting and listening intently to God’s Word. They hear about Jesus, and their lives are being transformed. Sengerema , a dedicated teacher, has been teaching religious education classes in five different schools—one each day, Monday through Friday. Initially, she used a print Bible and struggled to engage her students . Tanzania is deeply rooted in an oral culture, where learning and sharing knowledge are passed down through listening and storytelling. The children weren’t interested in reading quietly, and she struggled to project her voice loud enough for them to follow. Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. When she received her first Talking Bible, everything changed . She immediately began using it for all her classes, and something miraculous happened: the children started to truly understand the Gospel! They began supporting one another and growing in ways they’d never known before and her class sizes grew significantly as the other students became curious. “The Talking Bible makes our work of teaching very easy in different ways,” Sengerema says. The Talking Bible is much louder than her voice, and the children respond better to hearing stories. Over the years, as Sengerema continued teaching, she developed personal connections with many of her students and witnessed remarkable transformations in their lives. Children who were once disruptive and unruly have become attentive and respectful in her classes. These changes have not gone unnoticed, as other teachers have also observed significant behavioral improvements. With heartfelt conviction, Sengerema declares, “We need the Talking Bible for children!” Through Talking Bible listening, committed volunteers and teachers like Sengerema can easily share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ right in public school classrooms. These classes give students the opportunity to hear about Jesus and provide them with a new community of believers. The Talking Bibles are kept and cared for by the local churches, giving the church and the entire community access to God’s Word. Each Talking Bible distributed not only reaches students but impacts families and communities as God’s Word spreads.
More Changed Life Stories
May 29, 2025
From Hopelessness to Healing – One Talking Bible Changed a Family—and a Village Walking for days . . . desperate to find peace—only to discover the gods she served could not answer. This was Eesha’s life. She and her husband, Ananda, poured their hearts into rituals, visiting temples, and seeking favor from gods they sought. But when Ananda's kidneys failed and he was on the brink of death, Eesha reached the end of herself. And then something miraculous happened. In that dark moment, Eesha encountered the true and living God . He revealed to her that she and Ananda were sinners in need of repentance—and He promised to never leave them if they chose to follow Him. By God’s mercy, through prayer and by faith, Ananda was healed. He and Eesha were baptized and began their walk with Jesus. Our Father works in many ways to reach His children. People who cannot read must hear His Word. For Eesha and Ananda, God’s way came through a Talking Bible. Though Eesha could not read, the Talking Bible allowed them to listen to God's Word together twice a day. It brought them closer to Jesus and deepened their understanding of His love. This gift didn’t stop with them. Eesha was excited about her new faith. She invited others to listen to the Talking Bible too. Today, six neighbors regularly gather to hear God’s Word. What began as a story of healing has become a story of transformation—a family, a village, changed through the power of God's Word. You can help! Right now, there are many people who need a Talking Bible. Can you help? Will you give a Talking Bible today? Reach the unreached for Jesus. Someone is waiting to hear God’s Word. Your gift of $50 will help place a Talking Bible into the hands of someone who needs to know Jesus Christ and hear about God’s love for them. Every Talking Bible has the power to change a life, a family, and even a village. Will you join us today to bring hope to those who need it most? Your support and prayers will help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Together, we will make a difference with God's Word.
May 1, 2025
Music Drew Sylvester to Church—God’s Word Changed His Life Sylvester loves to sing! His journey to faith began with a love for music, not Scripture. As a child, he was forced to attend church by his parents, but he had no real interest in Christianity. It wasn’t the sermons that captured his heart—it was the choir. Singing with others was the only part of church that resonated with him. Years later, after getting married, that same love for music drew him back to church, and he rejoined the choir. Spending time in church and among believers, his faith began to grow. His wife noticed the change, and soon she followed him. Sylvester admits that before returning, he lived a worldly life, but as his faith deepened, he left many of his old ways behind. Yet, despite his love for worship, Scripture still felt distant. Reading had never come easily to him, and during sermons, he often felt lost. But just as music stirred his soul, so did God’s Word —once he had the chance to hear it. Everything changed when Sylvester received a Talking Bible. “When I first heard the Gospel on the Talking Bible, it opened my heart in a way I never imagined. The words that were once just words on a page now came alive to me. That’s when my life truly began to change.” For the first time, Scripture spoke to him personally . The Gospel wasn’t just something he heard in church—it became part of his daily life. Naturally, Sylvester wanted to share his gift with others. He started a small listening group at his church, where 15 people gather every Friday to hear Scripture together. The group, which includes both literate and illiterate members, benefits from the Talking Bible’s inclusivity— everyone, regardless of their ability to read, can listen and grow in faith together. Through these weekly gatherings, lives are changing. Some members, who once rarely attended church, are now active members. Others have found strength to overcome harmful habits. Now, Sylvester sings for the Lord with a heart transformed by faith . His love for music led him back to church, but it was hearing God’s Word through the Talking Bible that changed his life forever. Now, he dreams of every member of his group having their own Talking Bible so they can continue growing in faith beyond their weekly meetings. Will you help make this dream a reality? P.S. Your gift is more than a donation—it’s equipping someone with the life-changing power of God’s Word.
March 1, 2025
Bharathamma’s family is growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others. “ I can learn the Word of God from the Talking Bible,” says Bharathamma. “Personally, I’m getting encouraged every time I listen. ” Bharathamma’s story is one of transformation and hope. Living in a small farming village in India, she never had the opportunity to go to school. Like many women in her community, she spent her life raising children and working in the fields. Fourteen years ago, when she became a follower of Jesus, she longed to read the Bible. But unable to read, she relied on her pastor’s Sunday sermons, memorizing scripture as best as she could. Her pastor often repeated Bible stories just so she could retain every word. A year ago, everything changed. Bharathamma’s pastor gave her a Talking Bible. For the first time, she could hear the scriptures in her own home, not just on Sundays. She began listening to God’s Word for an hour every day with her son and daughter-in-law. The results have been life-changing. Her daughter-in-law, who had previously professed faith but stopped attending church, and her son, who had been distant from the faith, started listening with her. Over the course of a year, the scriptures began to work in their hearts. Now, the entire family attends church together every week. “ Easily I can understand now,” Bharathamma says. “It’s really good to have the Talking Bible in my family. I keep it safe so that I can use it for a long time. ” Stories like Bharathamma’s are happening across India, where millions of people cannot read but long to know God’s Word. A Talking Bible opens the door for individuals and families to experience the life-changing power of scripture —bringing hope, faith, and renewal. With your help, stories like Bharathamma’s are possible. Your generosity brings the Word of God into homes where it can inspire transformation and hope. Will you join us in placing a Talking Bible in the hands of someone like Bharathamma? For just $50 , you can help provide a Talking Bible to someone in need. Your gift will help transform not only an individual’s life but their entire family and community. The need is urgent. There are millions of non-readers in India who, like Bharathamma, are eager to hear God’s Word and share it with their loved ones. Together, we can equip them with Talking Bibles— a tool that helps them grow in faith and bring others to Jesus. Your gift will make an eternal impact , allowing families like Bharathamma’s to grow in faith and share God’s love with others. Thank you for helping bring God’s Word to those who need it most.
More Changed Life Stories
May 29, 2025
From Hopelessness to Healing – One Talking Bible Changed a Family—and a Village Walking for days . . . desperate to find peace—only to discover the gods she served could not answer. This was Eesha’s life. She and her husband, Ananda, poured their hearts into rituals, visiting temples, and seeking favor from gods they sought. But when Ananda's kidneys failed and he was on the brink of death, Eesha reached the end of herself. And then something miraculous happened. In that dark moment, Eesha encountered the true and living God . He revealed to her that she and Ananda were sinners in need of repentance—and He promised to never leave them if they chose to follow Him. By God’s mercy, through prayer and by faith, Ananda was healed. He and Eesha were baptized and began their walk with Jesus. Our Father works in many ways to reach His children. People who cannot read must hear His Word. For Eesha and Ananda, God’s way came through a Talking Bible. Though Eesha could not read, the Talking Bible allowed them to listen to God's Word together twice a day. It brought them closer to Jesus and deepened their understanding of His love. This gift didn’t stop with them. Eesha was excited about her new faith. She invited others to listen to the Talking Bible too. Today, six neighbors regularly gather to hear God’s Word. What began as a story of healing has become a story of transformation—a family, a village, changed through the power of God's Word. You can help! Right now, there are many people who need a Talking Bible. Can you help? Will you give a Talking Bible today? Reach the unreached for Jesus. Someone is waiting to hear God’s Word. Your gift of $50 will help place a Talking Bible into the hands of someone who needs to know Jesus Christ and hear about God’s love for them. Every Talking Bible has the power to change a life, a family, and even a village. Will you join us today to bring hope to those who need it most? Your support and prayers will help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Together, we will make a difference with God's Word.
May 1, 2025
Music Drew Sylvester to Church—God’s Word Changed His Life Sylvester loves to sing! His journey to faith began with a love for music, not Scripture. As a child, he was forced to attend church by his parents, but he had no real interest in Christianity. It wasn’t the sermons that captured his heart—it was the choir. Singing with others was the only part of church that resonated with him. Years later, after getting married, that same love for music drew him back to church, and he rejoined the choir. Spending time in church and among believers, his faith began to grow. His wife noticed the change, and soon she followed him. Sylvester admits that before returning, he lived a worldly life, but as his faith deepened, he left many of his old ways behind. Yet, despite his love for worship, Scripture still felt distant. Reading had never come easily to him, and during sermons, he often felt lost. But just as music stirred his soul, so did God’s Word —once he had the chance to hear it. Everything changed when Sylvester received a Talking Bible. “When I first heard the Gospel on the Talking Bible, it opened my heart in a way I never imagined. The words that were once just words on a page now came alive to me. That’s when my life truly began to change.” For the first time, Scripture spoke to him personally . The Gospel wasn’t just something he heard in church—it became part of his daily life. Naturally, Sylvester wanted to share his gift with others. He started a small listening group at his church, where 15 people gather every Friday to hear Scripture together. The group, which includes both literate and illiterate members, benefits from the Talking Bible’s inclusivity— everyone, regardless of their ability to read, can listen and grow in faith together. Through these weekly gatherings, lives are changing. Some members, who once rarely attended church, are now active members. Others have found strength to overcome harmful habits. Now, Sylvester sings for the Lord with a heart transformed by faith . His love for music led him back to church, but it was hearing God’s Word through the Talking Bible that changed his life forever. Now, he dreams of every member of his group having their own Talking Bible so they can continue growing in faith beyond their weekly meetings. Will you help make this dream a reality? P.S. Your gift is more than a donation—it’s equipping someone with the life-changing power of God’s Word.
March 1, 2025
Bharathamma’s family is growing in faith and sharing God’s love with others. “ I can learn the Word of God from the Talking Bible,” says Bharathamma. “Personally, I’m getting encouraged every time I listen. ” Bharathamma’s story is one of transformation and hope. Living in a small farming village in India, she never had the opportunity to go to school. Like many women in her community, she spent her life raising children and working in the fields. Fourteen years ago, when she became a follower of Jesus, she longed to read the Bible. But unable to read, she relied on her pastor’s Sunday sermons, memorizing scripture as best as she could. Her pastor often repeated Bible stories just so she could retain every word. A year ago, everything changed. Bharathamma’s pastor gave her a Talking Bible. For the first time, she could hear the scriptures in her own home, not just on Sundays. She began listening to God’s Word for an hour every day with her son and daughter-in-law. The results have been life-changing. Her daughter-in-law, who had previously professed faith but stopped attending church, and her son, who had been distant from the faith, started listening with her. Over the course of a year, the scriptures began to work in their hearts. Now, the entire family attends church together every week. “ Easily I can understand now,” Bharathamma says. “It’s really good to have the Talking Bible in my family. I keep it safe so that I can use it for a long time. ” Stories like Bharathamma’s are happening across India, where millions of people cannot read but long to know God’s Word. A Talking Bible opens the door for individuals and families to experience the life-changing power of scripture —bringing hope, faith, and renewal. With your help, stories like Bharathamma’s are possible. Your generosity brings the Word of God into homes where it can inspire transformation and hope. Will you join us in placing a Talking Bible in the hands of someone like Bharathamma? For just $50 , you can help provide a Talking Bible to someone in need. Your gift will help transform not only an individual’s life but their entire family and community. The need is urgent. There are millions of non-readers in India who, like Bharathamma, are eager to hear God’s Word and share it with their loved ones. Together, we can equip them with Talking Bibles— a tool that helps them grow in faith and bring others to Jesus. Your gift will make an eternal impact , allowing families like Bharathamma’s to grow in faith and share God’s love with others. Thank you for helping bring God’s Word to those who need it most.
December 27, 2024
Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. As believers, we know the profound importance of introducing children to the love and teachings of Jesus Christ . Yet, countless children worldwide are still eagerly waiting for this life-changing encounter. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (NIV). These words inspire our mission in Tanzania’s public school classrooms, where God is at work in incredible ways. This fall, we have been working tirelessly to provide Talking Bibles for Tanzanian public school classrooms. Why? Because God has opened a doo r, and the results have been remarkable! Pictures and stories show children sitting and listening intently to God’s Word. They hear about Jesus, and their lives are being transformed. Sengerema , a dedicated teacher, has been teaching religious education classes in five different schools—one each day, Monday through Friday. Initially, she used a print Bible and struggled to engage her students . Tanzania is deeply rooted in an oral culture, where learning and sharing knowledge are passed down through listening and storytelling. The children weren’t interested in reading quietly, and she struggled to project her voice loud enough for them to follow. Sengerema needed something to truly reach her students. When she received her first Talking Bible, everything changed . She immediately began using it for all her classes, and something miraculous happened: the children started to truly understand the Gospel! They began supporting one another and growing in ways they’d never known before and her class sizes grew significantly as the other students became curious. “The Talking Bible makes our work of teaching very easy in different ways,” Sengerema says. The Talking Bible is much louder than her voice, and the children respond better to hearing stories. Over the years, as Sengerema continued teaching, she developed personal connections with many of her students and witnessed remarkable transformations in their lives. Children who were once disruptive and unruly have become attentive and respectful in her classes. These changes have not gone unnoticed, as other teachers have also observed significant behavioral improvements. With heartfelt conviction, Sengerema declares, “We need the Talking Bible for children!” Through Talking Bible listening, committed volunteers and teachers like Sengerema can easily share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ right in public school classrooms. These classes give students the opportunity to hear about Jesus and provide them with a new community of believers. The Talking Bibles are kept and cared for by the local churches, giving the church and the entire community access to God’s Word. Each Talking Bible distributed not only reaches students but impacts families and communities as God’s Word spreads.
