In Touch Ministries makes every effort to use contributions made for a particular project, such as the distribution of Messengers, for its specified purposes. In the event a project becomes overfunded or its purposes frustrated due to circumstances beyond our control, this may no longer be wise or practical. In such circumstances, In Touch Ministries will use those donations elsewhere to fulfill its fundamental mission of “leading people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ."

  • Torch

    Wherever electricity is scarce, light is a precious resource. In the evening, it’s hard to read, hard to study, hard to gather and listen to sermons together. Believers in communities like this have a difficult time with discipleship after the sun goes down. But the Torch offers a way for fellowship to continue after dark. The Torch is the most versatile of In Touch’s Messenger technologies, with features like a night-light, radio, and charging station.

    • Solar-powered—gathers the necessary energy by day for nighttime use
    • Built-in lantern, radio, flashlight, and night-light
    • Loudspeaker for audiences up to 100 people
    • USB port for charging other mobile devices

  • Tablet

    Whenever we distribute Messenger devices, we often coordinate with local church leaders in the countries we are visiting. By providing tablets filled with resources designed just for pastors, we can empower them and help them grow as leaders. Many countries don’t have accessible or affordable seminary training, but with these devices, they can have a full library at their fingertips, wherever they are.

    • Lightweight design with a 7-inch screen
    • Puts biblical training in their hands
    • Loaded with sermons from Dr. Stanley, Scripture, In Touch Faith Foundations courses, biblical dictionaries and encyclopedias, and more
    • Available in English and Spanish

  • Lightstream Pocket

    In some regions of the world, it’s unusual for residents to have internet access or a computer. But even in the most remote areas, many people carry a cellphone. How could we get the good news to whole communities of people like this, who don’t even know to look for it? The LightStream Pocket is designed to do just that by detecting cellphones in the area and notifying the owner that Bible resources are available for free download. And the new, smaller LightStream Pocket makes sharing the gospel even easier.

    • Portable content distribution system that offers downloads via Wi-fi or Bluetooth
    • Can be paired with a water purification system
    • Also distributes public health information

  • USB

    Sometimes we are introduced to communities that require us to adapt our strategies, such as those in countries with plentiful electricity and internet access. They still need biblical content in their heart languages, but it’s tough to get boxes of Bibles through customs. Even Messengers are met with questions. So, we started putting the same content that is available on a Messenger onto a USB drive.

    • Small devices, easily shared from person to person
    • Compatible with nearly all computers
    • Easy to transport in bulk

  • Micro SD

    Micro SD

    Imagine not being able to safely carry a Bible or openly talk about the gospel. In places where this is a day-to-day reality, this tiny memory chip offers a way to listen to content through a cellphone.

    • Incredibly small and discreet (about the size of your thumbnail), so it can be easily transported without arousing suspicion
    • Fits into nearly any cellphone and holds multiple audio files
    • Can be listened to individually or by groups, like underground house churches!

     

  • Messenger

    The Messenger is In Touch Ministries’ flagship solar-powered audio device. Since 2007, we’ve been able to reach people who don’t have electricity, internet, television, or radio. And with its ability to hold multiple languages at a time, the Messenger is capable of crossing borders and transcending barriers.

    • Solar-powered with a built-in flashlight and FM receiver
    • Pre-loaded with Scripture and messages from Dr. Stanley
    • Lightweight and portable; smaller than a cellphone
    • Available in 100+ languages


Messenger Lab FAQ

Questions
Why do we have a Messenger Lab?

Dr. Stanley believes that salvation is available to everyone (John 3:16) and that we’re called to take this good news to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19). These beliefs are at the core of In Touch Ministries’ mission “to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church.” That’s why, for over 40 years, we’ve been using modern communication technologies (from radio and television to the internet) to share the message of salvation with the world.

However, there are still people in our world who can’t be reached by these media streams. That’s why we created the Messenger Lab: to develop innovative technological solutions tailored to specific regions and language groups. We often partner with pastors and suitable organizations to distribute Messenger devices so that we can better serve local churches in those areas.

Why so many different devices?

Simply put, one size doesn’t fit all. Every region we are trying to reach has a different set of obstacles to overcome. That’s why each Messenger Lab device has a unique set of features and purposes. By evaluating each region based on its people’s needs, we can determine which device will serve them best.

For example, in areas with limited access to electricity, solar-powered devices like the original Messenger work best. In some areas, many people have smartphones, so we give them Micros (SD cards) or LightStreams to load Messenger content to their phones. 

When traveling to some areas, it can be a challenge to carry large numbers of Bibles through customs. That’s when the Key (USB device) proves useful. Keys are small and portable but can hold a significant amount of information and relevant content.

Some places have strong local church communities but limited access to educational resources. In special cases, we can provide the pastor with a Slate (a device that is not available for wider distribution). Slates help local pastors study God’s Word and grow in their faith as they lead others.

And those are just a few examples of the diverse situations in which the Messenger Lab has provided creative ministry solutions!

What kind of content is stored on each device?

The material on any given device depends on the availability of content in the target language. However, Dr. Stanley’s most beloved messages plus the books of Psalms and Proverbs are almost always included, and Slates usually contain the Life Principles training curriculum and other study tools for pastors.

Into how many languages has Messenger Lab content been translated?

Currently, we have content available in 114 languages, but check back often, because there are always more being added! We’re always working on about ten new languages at a time.

  • Ache
  • African French
  • Afrikaans
  • Albanian
  • Arabic
  • Arabic Juba
  • Armenian
  • Assamese
  • Aymara
  • Azerian
  • Batak
  • Bengali
  • Bengali Muslimi
  • Bosnian
  • Bulgarian
  • Burmese
  • Cantonese
  • Cebuano
  • Chichewa
  • Chuwabu
  • Croatian
  • Czech
  • Dari
  • Dholou
  • Dzongkha
  • English
  • Estonian
  • Ewe
  • Farsi/Persian
  • Fongbe
  • French
  • Fufulde
  • Greek
  • Guarani
  • Gujarathi
  • Haitian Creole
  • Hausa
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Hungarian
  • Ilocano
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Javanese
  • Kannada
  • Kashmiri
  • Khmer
  • Kikongo
  • Kikuyu
  • Kimbundu
  • Kinyarwanda
  • Kirundi
  • Korean
  • Kurdish
  • Kumauni
  • Latvian
  • Lingala
  • Lithuanian
  • Low German
  • Lugandan
  • Maasai
  • Macedonian
  • Makhuwa
  • Malay Bahasa
  • Malayalam
  • Manadonese
  • Mandarin
  • Mapudugun
  • Marathi
  • Outer Mongolian
  • Moore
  • Nepali
  • Newari
  • Oriya
  • Oromo
  • Pashto
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Punjabi
  • Quechua Bolivia
  • Quechua Wanca
  • Rajasthani
  • Romani
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Serbian
  • Shangaan
  • Shona
  • Siswati
  • Sinhalese
  • Slovak
  • Somali
  • Songhai
  • Spanish
  • Sundanese
  • Swahili
  • Swahili Congo
  • Tagalog
  • Tamil
  • Telugu
  • Thai
  • Ticuna
  • Turkish
  • Turkmen
  • Twi
  • Uai-Uai
  • Ukrainian
  • Umbundu
  • Urdu
  • Uzbek
  • Vietnamese
  • Xhosa
  • Zulu

How many devices have been distributed?

More than 708,000 of them so far!

What are the next steps for the Messenger Lab?

We’re always working on developing content in new languages. 2016 saw the completion of devices in the Uai-Uai, Quechua, and Romané languages, and more are underway. We’re also working to distribute the latest Messenger Lab device, the Torch. Some follow-up trips to places we’ve previously visited are also in the planning stages. 

How can I get involved with the Messenger Lab?

The Messenger Lab relies on the prayers and gifts of our partners—for we know God works in mighty ways when we faithfully pray and obey His leading. If you have more questions, please email messenger@intouch.org or call 1-800-789-1473. Sign up for our newsletter at intouch.org/subscribe to stay up to date on the latest Messenger Lab developments.

Can I download information about the Messenger Lab to print and share?

Yes! If you know a missionary or someone who would benefit from a Messenger Lab device, Download this helpful Messenger Lab fact sheet to share with them.

View Full FAQ

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