CRC Partnership

Christian Reformed World Missions, Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada
Establish Formal Partnership

May 5/09

Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada (WBTC) and the denominational missions organization of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) have established a formal working relationship.

WBTC Director Dave Ohlson (far right) and Gary Bekker, Director of Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), signed the agreement May 1 at the Wycliffe head office in Calgary.

Under the agreement, Wycliffe Canada personnel who are members of the Christian Reformed Church will be officially recognized by their denomination as “partner missionaries.” The new status includes encouragement and assistance for them, both in raising financial support and receiving prayer backing from among CRC churches.

Before signing the agreement, Bekker said the mission of God is much broader than any church or organization. The body of Christ stretching around the work, working together in missions, reflects what Scripture tells the Church to do.

“This agreement will get some work done,” said Bekker, “but what we really hope it shows to Christian Reformed people is that their denominational missions agency needs folks like Wycliffe—that you are a fairly specialized ministry. That’s part of the efficiency in the Kingdom of God.”

The agreement is “a deposit of good efforts,” between WBTC and CRWM, said Bekker. ”By God’s grace, I hope we can find ways to do even more [together]—a lot more. I think that our Lord will be pleased.”

“This is a happy day for us,” he added. “We trust that it is for all of you.”

Ohlson said it was gratifying to formalize what has been up to this time a very loose knit affiliation between the two organizations.

“It's very exciting to see denominations like the CRC, and its missionary arm, the CRWM, engaging in the worldwide Bible translation movement in a more significant way,” said Ohlson. “Working together in this way can only enhance the building of God's Kingdom, especially among some of the world's most marginalized peoples in countries where both agencies work.

“We see this as the first step in deepening the relationship between Wycliffe Canada and the Christian Reformed Church and its world missions outreach.”

At various times and places, both WBTC and CRWM have worked cooperatively on the field in translating and publishing Scripture portions, New Testaments and Bibles. Dozens of people from CRC ranks have served or are currently serving with Wycliffe. Wycliffe has long been recommended for financial support by the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church.

From now on, Wycliffe Canada members from the CRC will be officially part of its overall mission effort. The CRC will encourage its churches to provide them with prayer and financial support, as well as publicity within the denomination. The agreement is in effect from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 20011. Near its conclusion, both agencies will review the arrangement, with a view towards possible renewal.

Wycliffe Canada, a non-denomination mission organization, was founded in 1968 to make God’s Word accessible to all people in a language that speaks to their heart. With more than 400 personnel serving worldwide, Wycliffe Canada partners with many agencies, including North American individuals and churches to effectively engage in the worldwide Bible translation movement.

Christian Reformed World Missions, established in 1888 by the CRC, helps CRC congregations to fulfill the Great Commission. It sends CRC members to over 25 countries and partners with churches and organizations, here and abroad, to build the Church of Jesus Christ and extend the Kingdom of God all around the world.

The CRC includes just over 1,000 congregations across North America—25 per cent of them in Canada. About 300,000 people belong to the CRC.