Our Story + Freely Given
Our story
Gale and I (Phil) joined Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT) in 2009, and before that, starting in 1980, we were members of Wycliffe Bible Translators. During all that time, the focus of our ministry has been in Indonesia. We arrived in Papua, Indonesia (formerly called Irian Jaya) in October of 1983. The Orya New Testament (in the language of the Orya ethnic group, population less than 2,000) was launched in 2005. That same year we started to translate the New Testament into Plain Indonesian (Indonesia's national language). The three-letter code for that translation is TSI— standing for Terjemahan Sederhana Indonesia. The TSI New Testament was published in March of 2014. We praise the Lord that the New Testament is now available in book stores all over Indonesia, and in Bible apps including YouVersion (Bible.com).
In my podcasts, I sometimes mention or quote the PET (the Plain English Translation). That is actually an unpublished translation of the TSI (Plain Indonesian Translation). The PET expresses the Scripture text in English like we translated it into Indonesian.
In 2012 we started a non-profit organization in Indonesia, called the OurLanguage Bible Organization. We normally call it Albata (standing for Yayasan Alkitab BahasaKita). Albata's mission is to increase the understanding of God's Word in every part in Indonesia, so that its life-transforming power is unleashed.
You can help us give away free copies of the TSI New Testament! See below.
What’s the benefit of having God’s Word in your language?
Hear Pastor Yakob’s response in this video recorded at the dedication of the Orya New Testament in 2005.
See our family’s favorite video about ‘leaving father, mother, lands and houses’ and taking the Gospel to the Orya tribe.
The WORD Unlocks Life is our ministry moto. This video shows scenes from 2014 when the Plain Indonesian NT was first distributed.
If you would like sign up to receive ministry news and prayer requests from us (by e-mail about once every 2-3 months), CLICK HERE. (This is a different list than the 2024 Email sign-up which is in the top bar of this site.)
If you would like to show gratitude to us or help support our ministry, please see the Freely Given info below.
Why I decided to make a podcast in the first place
I started this podcast with our grandchildren in mind. At that time, two of them were in Pakistan, and I didn’t think that I would have many opportunities to read to them in person. I wanted a way to leave behind a heritage of spiritual input for my family. I got the idea of doing a podcast from listening to Brian Hardin’s Daily Audio Bible in 2012. I started the DBRP in 2014 with reading the NLT. I was happy that through the year there were around 60 people listening daily.
I still think of my five grandchildren when I think of my podcast audience. I imagine that someday one or two of my grandchildren or great grandchildren will wander away from the Lord. When life gets rough and lonely, I hope it will occur to them to check out what Grampa might have recorded for them. Grampa will not overwhelm them as a deep thinker (because I’m not). I want them to discover that it is enjoyable to read the Bible, so that they discover how amazing God’s Word is, and how living and active, because God speaks to us through it.
What we believe
In my podcasts, I only comment on teachings that are clearly supported by the Scriptures I have just read. I do not preach or teach any doctrine in any extended way in my podcasts. My beliefs match those found in the Lausanne Covenant that represents what evangelical Christians believe, and their summary statement is found on the page entitled What we believe.
Freely Given
The Daily Bible Reading Podcasts are free for you! My first audience for the DBRP is my grandchildren, and I don't expect they will pay me anything! You get in on the same deal.
Jesus said, “Freely you have received. Freely give.” Giving this podcast to you and others could never match the blessings that the Lord has given to me. It is a blessing for me to have the privilege of sharing God's Word with you.
If you would like to express gratitude to us, please pray for us! A good way for you to be informed about our prayer requests is to receive our There & Back Again e-mail updates (about once every 2-3 months). Click here to join our personal email list. (This is a different list than the 2024 Email sign-up which is in the top bar of this site.)
In spite of what I have said above, some people still ask how to help us. Here are two ways:
Our daughter, Rachel, is serving in the finance department of Pioneer Bible Translators, but she is way short of her monthly support. This link tells you how to support Rachel.
For the last three years, our organization in Indonesia has been giving away the Plain Indonesian Translation New Testaments. We ask group leaders and pastors who request these to pay the shipping cost. Because this will be the fourth year of giving away, we now have many more requests than what we are able to print. Our special project for 2024 is for printing copies of the TSI New Testament (including Genesis and Deuteronomy). The approximate cost of each full-sized New Testament is $3.40. If you would like to know more about this special need, please tell us by using the Contact button in the banner heading of dailybiblereading.info. We'll be glad to send you the details about how to earmark a gift for that project.
May the Lord bless you ‘real good’!
Phil & Gale