Story number 3 for 20 Jun 2003

(India)–Nearly 90 percent of all the poor Indians and 95 percent of all the illiterate Indians are Dalits, members of the ‘untouchable’ caste. However, illiteracy should not hinder them from the Gospel. Audio Scripture Ministries’ Tom Dudenhoffer says they’ve launched a new Bible program specifically for these people. “We’re anticipating starting a program that’s going to be focusing on illiterate families in the rural villages of India. Our goal is going to be to provide them with a tape player of some sort and a set of Scripture tapes so that they can hear the word of God in their own dialect and in their own language.” As the Dalits fought to free themselves of the caste system, the upper castes countered with anti-conversion laws. Dudenhoffer responds. “While it’s difficult for them to live in that country as Christians, it still is so significant that many will take the risk and commit their lives to Jesus Christ, if they have the opportunity to hear.”