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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

2013

7 April 2013

Latin America Reach Expanded Que Todos Oigan (That All May Hear) recording studio in Oaxaca, Mexico, joins ASM helping increase…

2016

29 March 2015

New Executive Director Jim Loker, Director of Que Todos Oigan, is named ASM Executive Director, and splits his time between…

2017

13 October 2017

Expanded Team and Tools ASM welcomes Naomi Frizzell as CEO / Executive Director to develop a global team and increase…

2019

21 February 2019

Hands and Feet of Jesus Responding to the needs of Mozambicans following the devastation brought by Cyclone Idai, ASM donors…

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…

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…

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…

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…