International (MNN) — Innovation and encouragement are driving Bible translation efforts worldwide.
The apostles of Jesus understood the importance of hearing the Gospel in one’s own language — even the New Testament was originally written in Greek.
Mark Stedman from Wycliffe Associates explains,
“One of the things that we know about Bible translation is that the work is difficult and the work is rewarding, and the work certainly brings an amazing spiritual blessing to the community that’s doing that.”
The ministry provides communities with written Bibles, sign language, as well as oral and audio Scripture. “We really want to be able to provide scripture in any way that people need,” says Stedman.
Bible translation is accelerated by empowering national translators and partnering with local churches. These translators often face displacement, persecution, and economic insecurity. Supporting and encouraging them is a vital goal of the ministry. Stedman shares:
“I always tell people, how do you treat people that you care about? You talk to them. You’re engaged in their lives. You sit and pray with them, you listen to their struggles, and you try to help them.”
Old Greek Bible (photo courtesy of Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash)
To support this work, Wycliffe Associates uses Starlink internet, sending it directly to translators or relocating it with traveling workers. Having this technology regularly and consistently available has helped shorten the distance between Bible translation groups and their supporters worldwide.
“We’ve got over a dozen units now that are in place around the world. They are in Africa, as well as in the Pacific. There’s one particular Pacific nation that has over 250 million people in it, and it’s been really helpful for them. We’ve got some in Central America. In addition to that, we also have a number of units that travel,” says Stedman.
These “traveling units” are not fixed in one location but are assigned to field personnel who travel globally to support Bible translation efforts, carrying these portable units with them.
“It helps them to upload their Scriptures, to make sure that they’re safely saved in the ‘cloud’. It also allows them to be able to make those calls,” says Stedman.
Please pray that the Holy Spirit would encourage the hearts of His people as they serve through Bible translation. Visit Wycliffe Associates to know how you can help people hear the message of love in their own language!
Header photo: Indigenous man (photo courtesy of Alva Shoot via Pexels).
