Vernacular Media Services

VMS Brings the Word to the World in a Culturally Relevant Way

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Vernacular media specialists help Wycliffe and national translators use media tools that are culturally appropriate. God’s Word in the language of the people shared through video, audio, radio, filmstrips, or drama touches hearts and minds with His life-changing message.

Vision Statement

VMS exists to enhance and encourage access to Scripture and related materials through usable media which are appropriate for the situation, with a special focus on media that meet the needs of oral communicators.

We Consider Various Media Options to Communicate God’s Word

The Gospel is presented through music and dance.

In many cultures information is passed on orally rather than in written form. It may be done through music, storytelling, poetry, chants, drama or dance. Now with VMS, Wycliffe translators, missionaries from other agencies, and local Christians are learning to consider what media options are suited for the people they are trying to reach.

They are asking,“What will help to make Scripture a part of these people’s lives?” Media options are varied: audio and video-cassettes, filmstrips, radio and television, live drama, puppets, and flipcharts.

God yearns to touch minds and hearts with His life-changing message in whatever form it has to take. Therefore, His Word must often go beyond the printed page to other media, such as video, audio cassettes, radio, television, filmstrips, and drama.

The VMS approach to media is unique. Vernacular Media Services is not product driven. We match tools with local media needs; we do not produce a product or a program and then try to fit it to the needs of the people.

“None of these media options are intended to replace printed Scripture,” says Vernacular Media Services Director, Ron Henkel, “but they are meant to supplement Scripture reading and to encourage on-going use of Scriptures and literacy development.”

Our Strategy

Learn about the strategy of Vernacular Media Services.

Our History

In 1990, personnel from International Media Services in Dallas were helping fields record translated Scriptures onto The Genesis Project videos featuring Genesis and the Gospel of Luke. Meanwhile, at the JAARS Center, students were being trained to produce high-quality audio recordings in non-studio settings. In 1993 JAARS combined both activities into a new ministry called Vernacular Media Services.

With this foundation and the hard work and persistence of a few key players, the Lord began to throw open the door for VMS to become the fastest growing department at JAARS. In the spring of 1997, four staff members in a small office attempted to serve worldwide vernacular media needs. Also that year they also trained 14 new Vernacular Media Specialists.

The Vernacular Media Department at JAARS has grown to 35 staff members. More than 135 people have completed the training program. Of these, 53 are serving in a Vernacular Media position in various countries with Wycliffe, and 28 are serving with other missions.

This has allowed us, in conjunction with the Vernacular Media Specialists serving on the field, to:

Produce Biblical videos in hundreds of languages.
Produce thousands of audio tapes.
Answer thousands of e-mail technical questions
Provide information for the website: www.vernacularmedia.org