On U.S. Navy ships and forward operating bases around the world, military chaplains are using audio Bibles to give comfort and hope to U.S. troops.
Faith Comes By Hearing, the world’s foremost audio Bible ministry, has designed and distributed more than 15,000 Military BibleSticks to chaplains and troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
“Last year, Faith Comes By Hearing felt burdened to bring the Word of God in audio to our nation’s military community,” said Troy Carl, Faith Comes By Hearing’s national director. “So, we developed a specialized, portable audio player just for their use—camouflaged and loaded with the entire dramatized New Testament—and sent it to those who are deployed or deploying.”
The Military BibleStick has been very popular for both troops and chaplains.
“MP3 players are such a huge thing right now,” said Lt. Todd Fowler, the deputy director of the Surface Force Ministry Center in San Diego. “Most of the ships allow the sailors and soldiers to work with one ear bud in, so they can listen to anything they want. These BibleSticks put the Bible in their hands. And, they’re helping our sailors get through their deployments.”
“I’ve seen many sailors and Marines listen to the BibleSticks while they work, and they take their minds off of home,” said Fowler.
“It’s great to be able to offer our young soldiers something technology-based, as they practically grew up with cell phones and iPods,” said one Army chaplain deployed to Iraq. “I’ve heard great comments about ease of use, portability, and the fact that now there’s no excuse for a soldier to not carry his Bible when it’s so easy.”
“This has been the most useful thing I’ve ever had. Every day I listen—and it has brought me closer to God,” agreed one Navy pilot.
“Listening to the audio Bible really helped me to understand the Bible. I can read the words over and over, but to hear them spoken to me really puts it all together,” said a soldier.
Another Army chaplain said, “My soldiers are on the roads every day hauling supplies. Convoys can last up to 48 hours, and they can’t take much with them. These BibleSticks easily fit inside their cargo pockets so when they’re on break, they can take a few minutes to hear the Word of God and be spiritually edified.”
“More and more chaplains are contacting us for these vital spiritual resources for the members of their units. And what a difference it’s making!” said Carl. “Simply by word of mouth, we’ve distributed more than 15,000. And our conservative estimates show that we could literally provide tens of thousands of units.”
“I’ve had people lined up outside my door asking for the BibleSticks when I didn’t have anymore,” added Fowler. “We’re only allowed to get so many because the need is so great. When I get these in, I divide them up based on the manpower. But, it’s only a fraction of what we could use.”
“It’s a blessing to have our young people so hungry for the Word of God. This is a wonderful way to engage in Scripture for the men and women serving our country in so many trying and troubled spots of the world,” said Carl.
To provide a Military BibleStick to a military service member, click here.
