{"id":10656,"date":"2026-05-06T16:27:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T16:27:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emdcon.org\/?page_id=10656"},"modified":"2026-05-26T11:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:38:00","slug":"new-gadgets-session","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/emdcon.org\/archive\/asia-breakout-session-descriptions\/new-gadgets-session\/","title":{"rendered":"EMDC 2026 New Gadgets and Technology in Scripture Engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New Gadgets and Technology in Scripture Engagement (Richard Margetts and Joshy Kurian)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
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Want to discover some of the latest and most exciting technologies you can use for ministry? Join us as a variety of presenters showcase innovative gadgets and tools, along with how they can be applied in Scripture engagement and ministry contexts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

CURRENT SUBMISSIONS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The presentations lined up for this year\u2019s session highlight innovative technologies advancing global Scripture engagement, Bible translation support, multimedia access, and secure distribution. Featured solutions include culturally diverse visual Scripture resources for Bible translation and oral communities, DRM digital radio systems that extend Scripture access across geographic and political barriers without requiring internet, Scripture animation tools, secure platforms for offline and discreet Scripture distribution, and tools that support translation consistency. Sessions will also showcase solar-powered and field-programmable audio Bible devices, bilingual and multi-language Scripture players, updated audio and video Scripture playback technologies, FM radio\/audio Bible devices, and secure audio Bible solutions designed for high-risk contexts. Together, these tools help ministries overcome barriers in Scripture access, understanding, engagement, and discipleship, bringing God\u2019s Word to communities worldwide through innovative and contextually relevant approaches.<\/p>\n

The current submissions list for New Gadgets Session 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Open Bible Images<\/li>\n
  2. N88 Digital Radio broadcast system<\/li>\n
  3. Quyl<\/li>\n
  4. The Animated Word<\/li>\n
  5. MegaVoice Updates<\/li>\n
  6. Kulumi Players<\/li>\n
  7. FCBH Audio\/Video Players<\/li>\n
  8. AudioVie Galet<\/li>\n
  9. Galcolm Compass<\/li>\n
  10. Consistent SpellingFixer<\/li>\n
  11. Skymit<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    1. Open Bible Images \u2014 Johnny Knox<\/h2>\n

    Open Bible Images<\/strong> (openbibleimages.org) is building a structured, historically grounded, open-licensed visual library for Scripture. So far, the team has created over 1,300 images\u00a0by a multi-disciplinary, culturally diverse team. Furthermore, the library is searchable and available in multiple styles \u2014 from historical realism to watercolor to etching \u2014 so it works well across different ministry contexts and audience types. Consultant review workflows ensure accuracy. Therefore, for those working in visual Scripture engagement, Bible storying, or literacy contexts, this is an increasingly valuable free resource.<\/p>\n

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    2. N88 Digital Radio Broadcast System \u2014 Doug Gregson<\/h2>\n

    Presented by Alongside Tech \/ Para Tech Ministries in partnership with MegaVoice and Solar Grove Solutions, the N88<\/strong> is a portable analog\/DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) receiver<\/strong> that brings digital radio content to anyone, anywhere – no internet required. It runs over 24 hours on three AA batteries, has a USB MDI output for multimedia, and includes an Emergency Warning Function (EWF) that allows it to sleep for over two months on its internal battery before auto-waking to receive emergency alerts. Consequently, this system crosses geographic and political boundaries and delivers multi-language audio with excellent clarity. Moreover, it works with minimal resources. In short, for communities in restricted or remote areas, the N88 represents a genuinely new access point for Scripture broadcast.<\/p>\n

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    3. Quyl \u2014 Vishal Pulikottil<\/h2>\n

    Quyl<\/strong> (quyl.online) is a modern, AI-assisted learning management platform aimed at creating intelligent learning experiences. Specifically, for those working in discipleship training or theological education, Quyl offers a rich set of tools: course building, video upload with auto-transcription, assignments, quizzes, AI-powered smart insights, performance tracking, cohort management, and an AI assistant for teachers and administrators. It is mobile-ready and supports live classes. As a result, Quyl is worth exploring for ministries that build structured training pathways for local church leaders or Scripture engagement facilitators.<\/p>\n

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    4. The Animated Word \u2014 Chris Rogers<\/h2>\n

    The Animated Word app<\/strong> brings Scripture to life through word-for-word animation. The Book of Revelation is fully animated, and the team has added additional books (Jonah, Ruth, Esther) are currently available in audio. The app is free on both Apple and Android platforms, includes a simple chapter-access interface, dark mode, progress tracking, a share button, and collects no user data. Notably, for missionaries and Scripture engagement workers, this tool is significant – it overcomes literacy and language barriers, opens natural gospel conversations, and helps communities feel the message rather than simply hear it. In particular, it suits evangelism, small group discussion, and discipleship settings well.<\/p>\n

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    5. MegaVoice Updates \u2014 Darrel Templeton<\/h2>\n

    MegaVoice (megavoice.com) presented updates on two key devices.\u00a0 First,<\/strong> the PocketVoice<\/strong> is an ultra-compact audio Bible player small enough to fit in the palm of your hand – ideal for individual, discreet use. Second, the LifeLight<\/strong> combines an audio Bible player with a lantern, which makes it especially practical for communities without reliable electricity. Together, both devices tackle barriers of literacy, language, and access.<\/p>\n

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    6. Kulumi Players \u2014 Clive Gray<\/h2>\n

    Kulumi introduced the Kulumi Aqua<\/strong>, a compact, waterproof audio Bible player available in multiple colors. Its durable, simple design suits challenging field environments well. Furthermore, Kulumi players serve oral and low-literacy communities – exactly the contexts where Scripture engagement matters most.<\/p>\n

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    7. FCBH Audio\/Video Players \u2014 Solomon A (Faith Comes By Hearing)<\/h2>\n

    Faith Comes By Hearing updated the audience on three devices and a new projector. The E10 Proclaimer<\/strong> is the smallest – it holds two Bibles in two languages, has both an earphone jack and a speaker for groups up to 10, and is compact enough to conceal where discretion matters. The S25 Proclaimer<\/strong> serves groups of 10-25, charges via solar or USB-C, and requires no training – making it one of FCBH’s most requested devices. The S50 Proclaimer<\/strong> handles larger groups of 30-50, holds the New Testament in up to four languages, and also charges via solar or USB-C. The Acclaimer<\/strong> is a portable LCD projector for LUMO Gospel Films, with MicroSD playback and a removable battery for cordless use in churches, outreach events, and community gatherings.<\/p>\n

    Looking ahead, FCBH plans to add APK transfer capability so Proclaimers can load offline apps directly onto Android phones in the field. Furthermore, they aim to enable Gospel Films playback via USB to any TV or laptop, and develop an app for loading custom Audio Bible languages onto devices on the go.<\/p>\n

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    8. AudioVie Galet \u2014 Christoph<\/h2>\n

    Audio Vie France presented the Galet<\/strong>, a low-cost audio Bible player designed to overcome key barriers in Scripture distribution. It features a numeric keypad for direct chapter access, and supports up to 10 languages. Most notably, it has a dual MicroSD card slot system for persecution-proof use. Specifically, the outer slot shows secular content on power-up, while the inner slot – which holds Biblical content -requires a secret combination to access. Therefore, it stays genuinely discreet where possessing Scripture puts someone at risk. It also includes a 3.5mm wired audio jack for private listening.<\/p>\n

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    9. Galcom Compass \u2014 Pierre-Yves Mutrux<\/h2>\n

    Galcom International presented updates to the Compass<\/strong>, their solar-powered audio Bible player available in multiple colors and housing options. New features include usage statistics tracking, a daily Bible portion feature, USB-C charging, a transparent case option, and a new C-Plus covert version designed for use in restricted access contexts. In summary, the Compass remains a reliable, field-tested device with a growing feature set.<\/p>\n

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    10. Consistent SpellingFixer \u2014 Bob Eaton<\/h2>\n

    For Bible translators, this tool solves a real and often hidden problem: the same word appearing with multiple spellings across a Scripture text -particularly in non-Latin scripts such as Devanagari. The Consistent SpellingFixer<\/strong> works within SFM File Converters and Microsoft Word via the SIL Converters plugin. First, it analyzes a text corpus and identifies inconsistent spellings that sound the same. Then, translators choose the correct form and apply it across the entire document. As a result, this tool improves translation quality assurance in a precise and practical way.<\/p>\n

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    11. Skymit \u2014 Bram van Grootheest<\/h2>\n

    Skymit<\/strong> is a Scripture distribution app built for contexts where internet is unreliable or where discretion matters. On the surface, it shows a fake app start screen for security. Underneath, it offers peer-to-peer app and content sharing \u2014 Bibles, books, reading plans, audio, and video \u2014 as well as the ability to download updates when connectivity is available. Furthermore, content moves from an editor dashboard through a central library to organization-specific user groups. In this way, different ministries maintain their own content and users within shared infrastructure.<\/p>\n

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    INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESENTERS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Depending on the number of submissions, each presenter will have approximately 2-4 minutes per topic. Please ensure your presentation concludes on time (or before time), as any delays can affect the schedule for other presenters.<\/p>\n

    In previous years, we faced challenges due to frequent switching of projectors, adapters, and laptops, causing disruptions. To ensure a smooth session, all presentations will be projected from a single computer (the MC\u2019s laptop). Please submit your presentation by 13 May 2026<\/strong>, in PowerPoint (.pptx) format or as Google Slides. Limit your presentation to 3\u20134 slides and use a 16:9 aspect ratio.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Additionally, you may submit a brief write-up (ideally under 500 words) for inclusion on this New Gadgets webpage by 15 May 2026<\/strong> (as well as for EMDC blog)<\/a>. Feel free to provide supplementary materials such as a publicly viewable\/embeddable YouTube or Vimeo link, images (logo or small infographic, under 1MB, maximum 640\u00d7360 pixels\u2014please avoid full-page flyers\/posters<\/em>), and relevant URLs for your submission.<\/p>\n

    If your gadget or product is sensitive in nature and you prefer not to have your name, product, or related details listed on this webpage, please inform us, and we\u2019ll be glad to remove that information from this listing.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Please be prepared to respond to follow-up emails in the days or weeks following EMDC.<\/p>\n

    On behalf of the hundreds of participants attending EMDC, we sincerely appreciate your willingness to share your expertise. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.<\/p>\n

    We are praying that all your preparations go smoothly and that you\u2019ll be able to join us at the EMDC conference in May.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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