History - Audio Scripture Ministries

In the Beginning

While the young Ron Beery was pursuing his childhood passion for electronics in college and graduate school, he had not yet realized that God would use his passion to bring the Word to people all over the world. Ron often asked God if electronics was in His calling for him, and the Lord did use Ron’s knowledge and skills as a physics professor at Hope College in Holland, MI. Ron and his wife Alice saw how teaching at Hope was part of God’s plan for using Ron’s science training, but they began to be challenged by learning about the world’s many people who are unable to receive God’s Word in their heart language–because they cannot read. Ron realized that providing recorded Scripture on simple audio players could meet that great need. He started small, encouraged by a number of God-given partner individuals and churches, and Portable Recording Ministries was born in 1967.

Spreading The Word

At that time, the transistor was transforming and miniaturizing the entire electronics field, making small, portable Scripture players possible for the first time in history. God was opening up new doors for the Gospel! Further improvements followed, from the use of cassettes to newer recording methods, all the way down to the pocket-sized digital players used today. Portable Recording Ministries later changed its name to Audio Scripture Ministries, and God enabled the organization to grow with the needs they met. ASM established four overseas recording studios to record Scripture in over 250 languages, and have distributed players to thousands of people who need to hear God’s Word in their own language to receive it in their heart. God has continued to bring many partners to join ASM: other ministries, workers, prayer partners, volunteers, and financial contributors. God has led ASM through many joys and challenges in the last 50+ years of ministry, and continues to show Himself abundantly faithful in His leading and provision. As ASM continues forward, the focus remains the same: using whatever tools are most effective to help connect more people groups to hear God’s Word in their own language, to the glory of God.

1967

24 November 1967

When It All Began Dr. Ron Berry, Hope College (Holland, MI) physics professor is led by God to combine his passion for sharing God’s Word with his technical knowledge. Portable Recording Ministries is born and Ron develops one of the first ever portable audio Bible devices.

1973-1979

1 December 1979

Ministry Expands PRM makes its first trip to share God’s Word in audio in Mexico. The “common cassette player” becomes a strong ministry tool to share recordings of God’s Word in other languages. PRM develops a partnership with an India-based ministry to reach this South Asian country with the Gospel.

1980’s

24 November 1982

God’s Word is More Accessible Dr. Berry introduces the Tapetalk Player, a rugged cassette player with power options that include a built-in hand crank, attachable solar panels, and batteries. The Tapetalk shares God’s Word in villages and communities where it had never been accessible. (1982) PRM moves into Waverly Road,…

1990’s

24 November 1996

A New Vision PRM changes its name to Audio Scripture Ministries to reflect a refined focus on audio Scripture, so that more people will be able to hear God’s Word in their own heart language. (1996)

2003-04

24 November 2003

Empowering National Leaders ASM’s Nairobi property is placed under national direction The Mithra Player is introduced. It was developed in India to cope with power fluctuations. It plays cassettes at 1/3 speed, and can thus hold three times the usual amount of material.

2005

24 November 2005

More Exciting Tools MegaVoice Audio Player is introduced as a new tool to share God’s Word. The player is the first all-digital device, can hold an entire Bible, and be charged by a solar panel on the back.

2013

7 April 2013

Latin America Reach Expanded Que Todos Oigan (That All May Hear) recording studio in Oaxaca, Mexico, joins ASM helping increase Scripture recording and distribution capability in Latin America.

2016

29 March 2015

New Executive Director Jim Loker, Director of Que Todos Oigan, is named ASM Executive Director, and splits his time between advancing the ministry in Latin America and providing overall leadership to ASM.

2017

13 October 2017

Expanded Team and Tools ASM welcomes Naomi Frizzell as CEO / Executive Director to develop a global team and increase partnership development to reach new regions of the world with God’s Word in audio. ASM celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Our theme verse, Psalm 40:5, is appropriate as we thank God…

2019

21 February 2019

Hands and Feet of Jesus Responding to the needs of Mozambicans following the devastation brought by Cyclone Idai, ASM donors and partners send a 40 Foot shipping container to Mozambique full of agricultural equipment, humanitarian goods, medical supplies, donated audio Bibles, and audio studio recording equipment. New Harvest Farm is…

2020

12 March 2020

Bible Engagement ASM establishes a Bible Engagement Department led by Dr. Tara Rye.

2021

24 March 2021

Integral Mission New Harvest Farm expands to provide additional biblically-based agricultural training in Central Mozambique. A second 40 foot shipping container is sent to Mozambique with agricultural equipment, humanitarian goods (including nearly 1,000 hand knitted hats and 1,000 blankets), and donations for audio Bibles. Container space was also provided to…

2021

16 July 2021

So All May Hear Greater South Asia partnership developed for story-centric discipleship training. ASM’s encourages its partners, donors, and team to DWELL in God’s Word, emphasizing Colossians 3:16-17, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and…

2022

10 March 2022

Vision 2025 Launched Increasing Prayer and Partnerships to Accelerate Progress Toward the Great Commission. Que Todos Oigan (ASM’s partner studio in Mitla, Mexico) celebrates providing the Bible and Bible Engagement Resources in 100 languages! ASM Holland, MI office sold and Global Support Team moves to home offices, providing additional resources…

2023

16 March 2023

Lower Cost Audio Devices Partnerships developed to provide low cost audio Bibles so that God’s Word may be shared broadly around the world. Partnerships expanded with leaders in Greater South Asia, South Asia, and East Africa to record God’s Word in local languages, distribute God’s Word and provide story-centric discipleship…