Megavoice, a ministry that began in Australia and has sent audio Bible players worldwide, is adding another way to get the Bible across the barriers of poverty, distance and persecution.
“At megavoice Australia, we remain deeply committed to fulfilling the Great Commission through the distribution of physical audio Bibles and, more recently, through the development of our new digital platform Vivlos,” Adam Burt, the megavoice Australia CEO, said.”
But Burt explains that megavoice Australia is now separate from megavoice Israel, where the audio players, inspired by designs by company founder Tom Tresider are made.
“These changes”will empower megavoice Australia with greater flexibility to look at solutions on a best-fit basis and more holistically meet the needs of gospel projects,” Burt added.
Burt described Vivlos in more depth for The Other Cheek. “The platform is an ‘app technology platform’ as opposed to a straight ‘app.’ Unlike most mobile phone apps used in places like Australia, Vivlos is mainly hosted on the server, meaning the footprint on the phone is significantly reduced. And then only what is required for a specific use is then transferred over data to minimise data transfer as well.”
This optimised data and transfer system “has been has been designed specifically for the applications we are discussing (which are in the global south), is lightweight and uses encryption and other features specifically relevant to the persecuted church.”
Megavoice Australia currently has a Vivlos pilot running, and they plan to conduct another pilot in the next six months.
As megavoice Australia introduces Vivlos in parallel with the continued use of audio Bible player machines, they want to honour Tom Treseder, who is retiring decades after many of us do. “We are immensely thankful to Tom, our founder, and his wife Merriel, for their years of dedication and support,” Burt said. “Their leadership has laid a strong foundation for the ministry we continue with today, and we wish them every blessing as they support MegaVoice Israel in its mission and Tom continues his passion for product design and player distribution.”
A fundraiser for Vivlos is at: https://megavoice.org.au/support/donate/