Preach to Every Nation, in Real Time
Connect with your entire congregation through live sermon captions and interpretation across many languages. Language availability and quality vary by audio, speakers, and language pair.
The Challenge: Reaching Multilingual Congregations
Imagine a mid-sized church with a fast-growing multilingual congregation. Every Sunday, the sermon is delivered in one language while many attendees are more comfortable in another. The church tries:
- Separate Spanish services - Split the community, doubled logistics, felt isolating.
- Hiring a professional interpreter - Costs vary widely and can be hard to schedule reliably.
- Bilingual volunteers - Well-intentioned, but consistency and terminology can be tough.
- No solution - Some members stopped attending or felt left out of key moments.
The result: declining attendance among Spanish speakers, frustration among leadership, and the reality that the Gospel was not reaching everyone who walked through the doors.
The InterScribe Solution: One Service, Every Language
A church pilots InterScribe as a low-lift way to support multilingual members. Example workflow:
How It Works on Sunday Morning
A six-step flow that keeps the service format intact while adding language access.
- 1. The AV team connects the church sound system to InterScribe (about 2 minutes).
- 2. A QR code is shown on sanctuary screens: "Select Your Language - Scan Here."
- 3. Attendees scan, choose their preferred language, and receive live captions plus optional audio.
- 4. The pastor speaks normally with no workflow changes.
- 5. Members read live translation and/or listen on their phones with earbuds.
What Success Looks Like
Note: outcomes vary by audio quality, language mix, and event setup.
Technical Setup: Easier Than You Think
The fastest way to avoid overwhelm is to split setup into phases. Start with audio, launch attendee access, then improve quality over time.
1) Audio Connection
- Desktop Agent: Best default for most churches.
- RTMP Ingress: Add InterScribe to an existing stream setup.
- Browser Input: Fast fallback for smaller rooms.
2) Attendee Access
- Show one QR code on sanctuary screens.
- Members choose language and captions/audio mode.
- Encourage earbuds for private listening.
3) Vocabulary Tuning
Add key terms once, then reuse every week:
Ephesians, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Philippians
Justification, Sanctification, Atonement, Propitiation
Pastor, Worship Leader, Youth Pastor4) Recurring Service Template
Save one recurring "Sunday Service" event with the same QR code, language set, and access settings so volunteers can run service with a predictable playbook each week.
Beyond Sunday Sermons: Other Church Applications
Bible Studies
Midweek Bible studies with multilingual small groups. Everyone reads along in their native language.
Conferences and Retreats
Multi-day conferences with guest speakers. Download transcripts for attendees to review later.
Online/Hybrid Worship
In-person + online attendees both access live translation. Replays available for those in different time zones.
Mission Partner Updates
Missionaries from other countries give updates via video. Live translation for your congregation.
Baptism and Special Events
Baptism testimonies, dedications, and special services accessible to all members and their guests.
Leadership Training
Deacon meetings, elder training, volunteer orientations, all multilingual without extra effort.
Cost Comparison: InterScribe vs Traditional Interpreters
Example ranges for a church running weekly services (about 4 services/month). Actual costs vary by region, language, duration, and provider.
| Solution | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Interpreter | $1,200-$3,600 | $14,400-$43,200 | 1 language at a time, scheduling complexity, availability risk |
| Bilingual Volunteer | $0 direct spend | $0 direct spend | Untrained, misses theology terms, inconsistent availability |
| InterScribe AI | See pricing | See pricing | Broad language support (varies), custom vocabulary, transcripts (plan dependent) |
Common Questions from Churches
Will AI miss important theological terms?
Not if you use custom vocabulary. Upload your list of biblical terms, names, and church-specific words. The AI prioritizes these terms, reducing common mistakes. Results vary by audio quality and language.
What if someone doesn't have a smartphone?
You can provide tablets at the sanctuary entrance for members to borrow during service. Some churches keep 10-20 tablets charged and ready. Alternatively, you can print Spanish sermon transcripts after service.
How do we handle worship songs/hymns?
InterScribe translates lyrics in real-time. Many churches also display bilingual lyric slides on screens using their existing presentation software.
Is this ADA compliant for deaf members?
Captions can support accessibility goals for deaf and hard-of-hearing members. Requirements vary by venue and jurisdiction, so use legal guidance to confirm your needs.
Can we use this for small groups and Bible studies?
Yes. The same account works for Sunday services, Wednesday Bible studies, youth groups, and other church events. Plan limits vary.
What happens if the internet goes down?
InterScribe requires internet for real-time translation. If the internet drops during service, translation pauses and resumes when the connection returns. A mobile hotspot can be used as backup.
Churches Receive 30% Off
Eligible church organizations receive a 30% discount on InterScribe plans. Review plan options and contact us to confirm eligibility.
Ready to Reach Your Entire Congregation?
Evaluate InterScribe for your services and events. See current trial availability and limits on the pricing page.