Partnership Spotlight: Bringing God’s Word to Life with Biblica
Because of Biblica’s generosity, we can confidently record, translate, and distribute God’s Word in ways that are biblically sound and culturally relevant.
At Gospel Joy International, we believe that every person deserves the chance to hear and understand the Word of God — no matter where they live or whether they can read or not. Across rural Africa, many women long to know the Scriptures but face barriers that keep them from accessing God’s Word. For them, an open Bible can feel like a closed book.
That’s why our partnership with Biblica, the global ministry that holds the rights to the New International Version (NIV), is so vital. The NIV translation provides the biblical foundation for every Gospel Joy audio Bible study. It allows us to create accurate, trustworthy studies that are then translated into French and other local languages so women can hear Scripture in the language of their hearts.
Building from the Word
To date, more than 4,000 people across Africa have used our audio Bible studies. Most of our listeners engage with the French versions, but each one begins with an English base built from the NIV. Because of Biblica’s generosity, we can confidently record, translate, and distribute God’s Word in ways that are biblically sound and culturally relevant.
Our goal at Gospel Joy International is simple: to equip and empower local leaders to bring God’s Word to their communities through Scripture-based audio Bible studies. In many regions where we work, literacy rates are low and access to printed Bibles is limited. But through solar-powered audio players and local training, the Word of God is finding its way into homes, churches, and hearts.
Following one of our training sessions in Benin, a participant approached our Program Officer in tears. “I knew there was something missing,” she said softly. “I pray and I trust Jesus, but I knew it wasn’t enough. Now I understand — it’s the Word of God I was missing. I need to know His Word.”
Though her faith was genuine, she had never been rooted in Scripture. Hearing the Bible in her own language opened her heart in a new way, deepening her relationship with God and equipping her to share His truth with others.
Why Translation Access Matters
Stories like this reveal why our partnership with Biblica is critical. Gospel Joy International cannot produce its studies in other languages without first creating them in English. The NIV text provided through Biblica gives us the foundation to build faithful, Scripture-based content — verse by verse, theme by theme — that is both theologically sound and accessible.
Once our English studies are created, they are translated into French and Ewe, allowing thousands of women who do not speak English to hear and understand the Word of God for themselves. These translations don’t just bridge a language gap; they break through barriers of literacy, culture, and geography.
The ability to use both the NIV and the Ewe Bible means that Gospel Joy can continue to expand its ministry with confidence that the truth of Scripture is preserved. For many of the women we serve, this is their first consistent exposure to the Bible. When they listen to an audio lesson drawn directly from God’s Word, they encounter His truth personally and powerfully.
Multiplying Access Across Africa
In regions where access to printed Bibles is scarce, these studies have become a vital tool for discipleship. Each study is carefully designed to guide listeners through Scripture in a way that is culturally relevant, practical, and spiritually deepening.
Through local partnerships, we train leaders to facilitate listening groups, discuss biblical principles, and apply them in their daily lives. Each leader receives a solar-powered player preloaded with our audio Bible studies — making it possible to bring the Word of God even to villages without electricity or internet access.
The ripple effect is remarkable. A single trained leader can reach dozens of others, multiplying access to Scripture far beyond what one person or one organization could achieve alone. And at the heart of this growing movement is a commitment to biblical integrity — made possible through Biblica’s partnership.
The Strategic Power of Partnership
Partnerships like the one between Gospel Joy International and Biblica represent what the global Church can accomplish when each part plays its role. Biblica’s stewardship of the NIV and its generosity in granting us access to both the NIV and Ewe translations enable our ministry to focus on what we do best — creating and sharing transformative audio Bible studies.
Our ministry depends on the accuracy and accessibility of Scripture. Without a reliable translation, our studies could not exist. But with Biblica’s support, we can bring God’s Word to people in a way they can truly understand — and in a form they can easily share with others.
Every training session, every audio player distributed, and every group that gathers to listen is a direct result of that shared mission. Together, we are opening doors for women who were once cut off from Scripture to now hear, study, and live by the truth of God’s Word.
Rooted in the Word, Growing in Grace
As we look ahead, Gospel Joy International is eager to expand the reach of our studies into new languages and regions — always anchored in the Word of God. The foundation we build upon, made possible through Biblica’s partnership, ensures that everything we teach remains faithful to Scripture and centered on Christ.
When we see women gathered under a tree or in a small mud hut, leaning in to hear the Word of God in their own language, we are reminded of the power of this collaboration. Together, we are helping the Church grow strong roots — rooted in truth, nourished by grace, and bearing fruit that will last.
We are profoundly grateful to Biblica for making this possible. Because of this partnership, thousands of women across Africa can now do what once seemed impossible — study and understand the Word of God for themselves.