Wycliffe Canada’s work is focused around four key “pillars” that help strengthen individual believers and churches around the world, as they gain access to God’s Word in the language they know best. These pillars include Bible translation, literacy, engagement with Scripture and capacity building. Throughout March, we’ll feature a brief overview of each pillar and share stories that illustrate how they are making a difference for language groups across the globe.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV).
God has spoken, and continues to speak, through His Word—the Bible. The Scriptures point to Jesus, the source of life, restoration and salvation. For followers of Jesus, God’s Word is food for the soul.
That’s why Bible translation is so important. It plays a foundational role in evangelism, church planting and church growth, helping new and even seasoned believers grow in their understanding of God and His ways.
In Namibia, a woman named Mukaa received an MP3 player loaded with Bible passages in her language, Himba. She listened to it day and night, driven by a deep thirst she didn’t understand. One day, she approached a visiting pastor to talk about it. The pastor told her about Jesus and immediately, she gave her life to Christ.
“Since then,” says Mukaa, “I have joy in my heart that has never departed from me. I feel that I am one of the luckiest people to have this tool, because it has changed my life.”
Translation takes many forms
Over the past century, the pace of Bible translation has exploded. Today, Bible translation is currently happening in 3,526 languages in 173 countries. More than half of the world’s 7,400 language groups have access to at least some Scripture in the language they speak every day.*
Although people in more than 980 language groups still need access to God’s message in a language and form they clearly understand, it’s now possible to see Bible translation started in every remaining language, in this generation. To that end, Wycliffe partners with Canadian believers, churches, other mission agencies and national Bible translation organizations to further translation efforts globally.
On the field, we assist language communities to translate Scripture into the language and form that serves them best. For example, many pre-literate language groups communicate and share information orally. For them to access God’s Word in meaningful ways, oral Bible storytelling may be the preferred format. In other language communities, preferred formats may include print, audio, or video (like the “JESUS” film, or Scriptures “signed” for the Deaf).
Thanks to growing internet access, the development of portable solar-powered devices, and the widespread use of cellphones, more and more language groups are gaining access to Scripture in some form. In every case, trained linguists, translators, and community checkers help ensure the translated Scriptures are clear, accurate and natural-sounding.
Amazingly, God can use even a single verse or chapter of His living Word to change the course of someone’s life forever. Just like He did for Mukaa, and like He continues to do in thousands of language communities around the world.
* Source: wycliffe.net
Watch: Bible Translation, a motion graphic that shows the importance of translating the Bible for people everywhere.