ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- With the release of its 11 newest language recordings, audio Bible ministry Faith Comes By Hearing says it now has New Testament recordings in more than 600 languages.

According to a news release from the ministry, combined, these languages combined are spoken by more than 5 billion people in over 185 countries around the world.

It was only just under a year ago that the ministry announced the release of their 500th language recording.

“This sort of amazing progress is only possible through great partners working together for the Kingdom,” said Morgan Jackson, Faith Comes By Hearing's international director, speaking in a news release. “From translators to recording teams to the donors who fund the work, this is the Body of Christ coming together.”

Faith Comes by Hearing said the 11 new language releases represent more than 650,000 people who now have the Word of God in an audio format and in their heart language.

Those languages are Bawm (Bangladesh), Biate (India), Chinantec de Ozumacin (Mexico), Gbaya Southwest (Central African Republic), Koorete (Ethiopia), Margos Quechua (Peru), Mousgoum (Cameroon), Nomaande (Cameroon), Samba Leko (Cameroon), Tabaru (Indonesia) and Tarahumara Baja (Mexico).

Faith Comes by Hearing said Margos is the 17th Quechuan language to be added to the ministry's catalog. Ayacucho Quechua was among the very first heart languages to be recorded by the ministry.

Faith Comes By Hearing offers free access to Audio Bibles through streaming and podcasts, while the Bible.is app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices now offers access to Bibles in more than 600 languages.

For those areas that do not yet have regular access to the Internet or mobile devices, Faith Comes By Hearing continues to provide Audio New Testaments on solar-powered Proclaimers for listening groups. As of Sept. 2011, more than 290,000 of these digital audio devices are making The Bible available around the world.

In 2012, Faith Comes By Hearing will celebrate its 40th year in ministry, continuing to focus on its mission to record and provide Audio New Testaments in every translated language.

For more information go to www.fcbh.org

Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "Homeless in the City." Additional details on "Homeless in the City" are available at http://www.homelessinthecity.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net.