A nonprofit organization released the first-ever audio version of the Bible narrated entirely by women, called “The Courage for Life Bible,” as reported by Premier Christian News.
Bible teacher Ann White was inspired to start the project after working with women inmates who faced domestic abuse by men.
“There are 200,000 women—the size of a small city—that are living in jails,” she said. “Although they’ve made bad choices, they have found themselves with abusive men … When we work with at-risk women, we find that a woman’s voice does not remind them of their abuser’s voice.”
“The best way to help at-risk women and girls heal from substance abuse, trauma, and mental health issues, is to use gender-specific programs,” according to their website. “Because females tend to be the more nurturing gender by nature, their voices are often perceived as a helper, more compassionate, understanding, and non-threatening.”
Twelve women of diverse backgrounds voiced the New Living Translation of the Bible. Production began in March 2018 with the book of John.
The nonprofit hopes to reach “as many women in crisis as possible with the comfort, encouragement, inspiration and hope that they can find in God’s Word—without ever turning a page.”
Phil Cooke, Executive Producer of the Audio Bible Project and CEO of Cooke Pictures, as well as Amick Byram, an Audio Project Producer who has earned two Grammys, contributed to the project.
White has taught the Bible around the world through her global ministry, Courage for Life.
“That Word—the Bible—is foundational!” she said. “You have to be in it to be equipped, and you have to be in it to understand the change that is required in your life. It’s complete belief that God is who He says He is, and that His character is as it has been revealed. Appropriating those truths for yourself is the beginning of finding your courage for life.”
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Andrey Popov
Mikaela Mathews is a freelance writer and editor based in Dallas, TX. She was the editor of a local magazine and a contributing writer for the Galveston Daily News and Spirit Magazine.
