A high percentage of the population of Ethiopia are illiterate and this includes most church attendants. The Bible Society endeavours to reach these people with the Scripture listening programme so that their faith is strengthened, and their lives changed.

The Faith Comes by Hearing programme is an ideal way to provide the Scriptures to this large percentage of Ethiopians. The programme also addresses the needs of those who cannot afford to buy a printed Bible. The programme also reaches people living in rural areas - mostly farmers and labourers, who do not have the opportunity to go to church as they do not live near one. The project means that they too are able to listen to the Word of God.