SEARCH RESULTS

September 13, 2023 Bible translation movement shows big progress By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories After a predictable slowdown during the first two years of the pandemic, the global Bible translation movement saw major advances in the past year — with Asia and Africa leading the way. Today, more people speaking more languages have access to more of the Bible than at any time in history, according to ProgressBible. Up to 97.4 per cent of all people in the world have access to at least some Scripture, with up to 80 per cent having the full Bible and 91 per cent having at least the New Testament. These numbers are rising rapidly. In the past year* alone: 60 million more people have access to the full Bible in the language they know best. 27 million more people have access to the New Testament. And, Bible translation work has begun in 356 more languages. Terry Dehart, data analyst with ProgressBible, partially attributes the acceleration this year to a rebound from the pandemic years. Another large factor, he adds, is that the collective Every Tribe Every Nation (ETEN) is making a big push with its partners around the world to start Bible translation and then report on progress. More than half of all languages on earth now have Bible translation work happening—some for the first time and some working toward complete Bibles or undergoing revisions. *August 2022 to August 2023 Read the full article at wycliffe.net Scripture is being made available in print, digital, audio formats, along with sign languages. These examples are from the Tao people of Orchid Island off the southeast coast of Taiwan. Photo: Marc Ewell, Wycliffe Global Alliance Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

Read More Read More This Grand Story English | 0:00 to 2:59 General Wycliffe Promotion World Length 2:02 Who is Wycliffe Bible Translators? What do they do and who are the people they serve? You might be surprised. Take a quick jaunt around the world and uncover Wycliffe’s heart and passion to see God revealed to minority language communities. Download from Vimeo Give Feedback More from our library Extreme Flexibility Required Length 3:45 Unexpected things happen on the mission field. Follow this young dreadlocked dude on his six-month journey in a distant land, as his vista expands, visually and spiritually. Missionary Mom Length 5:14 Any way you slice it, being a mom in any culture is a fundamental role with mammoth impact. It’s especially challenging for moms who sacrifice the comforts of their homeland, travelling with their families to the ends of the earth to serve on the mission field. Meet Sun-Min, a mom who’s passionate about her family and the ministry in which they serve. But how do you keep it all in balance, in a world with water shortages, blackouts, crazy travelling conditions and more? This is a must-see video for everyone interested in serving cross-culturally, including moms. Encourage and Equip—An ATEK Story Length 5:18 High in the Peruvian Andes, in the remote villages and towns surrounding Cusco, live 1.5 million Quechua people. Though the Scriptures have been published for 30 years in their Cusco Quechua language, church leaders in hundreds of these rural churches have never been taught basic biblical principles. However, things are slowly changing. In Encourage and Equip, you will discover how the Lord is using Wycliffe’s local partner organization, ATEK, to bring transformation by encouraging and equipping His church. Every Sign Points to God Length 03:07 There’s one noticeable difference between Sora and most members of the Japanese Sign Language Bible translation team: they’re Deaf and Sora is not. Go behind the scenes with Sora and discover why sign language translation is vitally important for the Deaf. View All Previous Next

Americas WUERMLI, Sam and Dolores “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:8 (NLT) Sam was born in Switzerland and is the second oldest of four boys. Their parents worked for Gott hilft (God helps) as houseparents for a home of about 30 children. There was much activity, work in the garden, farm and home, hiking, playing soccer and enjoying just being kids. On a regular basis, missionaries would come and do VBS weeks to instil world mission and needs around the world in the hearts of the children. Sam immigrated to Canada in 1976 as a young man and worked on a dairy farm in Fort St. John, B.C. A few years later he moved to Calgary and worked for Digital Equipment (DEC) in computer hardware. Dolores was raised in B.C. and she heard about Wycliffe at Bible school (CLBI). She began working in the finance department at the Calgary office in July 1980 as a short-term assistant. She stayed on for five years working in various roles in the department. During this time she met Sam, and they were married in 1982. The Lord blessed them with two children, Natashia and Josiah. In 1987 they moved back to Fort St. John to the same dairy farm. After eight years working in this amazing community, the Lord began to touch their hearts to consider missions once again. In September 1995 they joined Wycliffe as career members. Sam and Dolores took assignments with the South Asia Group (an SIL entity) based at the Wycliffe UK centre in Horsleys Green, England in 1996. Over their 15 years in England, they filled support roles in computer and finance, maintenance and as house-parents for volunteers. The Lord guided the Wuermlis to return to Canada, orchestrating the plan and preparing them for roles with Wycliffe Canada. In the Calgary office, the work they do is transforming lives and helping minority language groups to hear about God and His love letter for them. The Wuermlis’ prayer is that the church will rise up and pray, give and go to serve the Lord where He calls them. They are grateful to be involved in this work, and invite you to partner with them as the Lord leads you. Their family has grown in the past 10 years. Natashia (their daughter living in Airdrie AB) and Josh have a daughter, Adelaide and a son, Oliver. Josiah (their son living in High Wycombe, UK) and Hannah have three children, Emilia, Georgia and Ruari, along with their dog, Pippa. Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=173 Previous Next

November 21, 2024 More valuable than jade and gold By Ruth Richert Back to all stories This post shares Nyan’s* story from our Christmas mailing. Learn more about Scripture engagement in Nyan’s region at wycliffe.ca/project/kinsha/ Note: To protect identities in a sensitive area, this story is a compilation of several workshop participants’ stories and quotes. “I saw that my children were more valuable than jade and gold, and they deserved quality time with me.” For most of his parenting journey, this was not a statement that Nyan* would have made. Rather, his children were often a source of conflict in his life, and a reminder of his failures. The middle-aged farmer lives in a sensitive region of Southeast Asia, a place where uncertainty is a constant. But Nyan’s struggle went deeper than external circumstances—his life was marred by generational anger, violence and addiction. A representative photo from Nyan’s region. Photo: Wycliffe Global Alliance Growing up, Nyan had watched his father battle substance abuse. He had also witnessed anger and violence in his own home and in those of his relatives. “My grandmother was always angry, and she passed this on to my mother, who passed it on to me,” he recalls. “Then, one day I realized that my son had an anger management problem [that he had learned] from me, too.” This knowledge didn’t solve anything—rather, it added guilt to the burdens that Nyan was already carrying. Like his father before him, he found himself in the throes of addiction, consumed by anger. His marriage and relationships with his children were filled with conflict, and life seemed hopeless. But then one day, a neighbour invited Nyan to a Scripture-based workshop about strengthening families. It was an unusual invitation—Nyan and his neighbours had never before had the opportunity to receive training on how to have healthy family relationships. Intrigued, he decided to attend. As he listened to the workshop facilitator teach lessons on family life drawn from newly-translated Scriptures, Nyan was amazed. There was a God who loved him and could forgive his sins. Not only that, but this loving God also cared for his family and wanted to heal his broken relationships. “The workshop taught me that parenting is a God-given responsibility. I learned the importance of being a good father…and that children are a gift from God.” Nyan now believed that his children were indeed more valuable than jade and gold. This revelation led him to search God’s Word for wisdom that he could apply to all facets of his life. He committed himself to Christ and began the process of reconciling with relatives and breaking free from substance abuse. Today, Nyan praises God for the restoration and peace that are increasingly present in his family life. He is involved with ministry at his church, and faces the future with hope. “I regret my parenting style in the past. I made many mistakes raising my kids and did many things wrong… Now I know that parenting is precious and my children are priceless gifts from God. I will teach this to my church, youth, Sunday school—so that no one else has to suffer like me. “I now have hope.” Workshops like the one Nyan attended are multiplying across this region of Southeast Asia, drawing thousands of people. Despite the great obstacles they face in participating, their hunger for truth and healing are greater still. Through the lessons on family life drawn from the translated Scriptures, attendees not only learn practical wisdom for parenting, but also encounter the God who loves them and their families. Meaningful engagement with God’s Word transforms individuals, families and communities. Would you consider sharing the gift of Scripture in a region like Nyan’s? You’ll enable someone like him to access the Bible and apply its principles to their lives. Visit wycliffe.ca/project/kinsha/ to learn more. *pseudonym Posted in Impact Previous Next

Global D., Bota Growing up in a minority language group in Asia, Bota has personally experienced how lives in her local community were transformed as people were able to understand translated Scriptures in their mother tongue. Bota came to Canada in 2007 to study accounting and management, and God opened the door for her to join Wycliffe in 2008. Since then, she has been living in Calgary, leveraging her financial expertise to advance the Bible translation movement by promoting financial integrity, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring global workers have the financial support they need to thrive in their mission. Story: Without Jesus I Wouldn’t Have Any Peace Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=52 Previous Next

Posts By Sue Fonseka Hope in every sign | Surprising facts about sign language Bible translation June 16, 2025 | By Sue Fonseka Learn six surprising facts about sign language translations and how they’re bringing hope to Deaf communities around the world. Read More Search Search Recent Posts Jesus also speaks my language Document Transformation in the mountains Document The story of John Wycliffe Document The very first verse Document From curiosity to conversion Document PREV 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 NEXT

Read More Read More Scripture Has Changed Me English | 0:00 to 2:59 General Wycliffe Promotion Language related National stories Partner organizations ⠀Bible translation ⠀Literacy Peru Length 0:46 Noemí had been longing to read and hear God’s Word in the language she understands best, Eastern Apurímac Quechua. “Scripture Has Changed Me”, can be used as a conversation starter around a presentation on the Bible translation ministry or great for use in a larger mission program. Download from Vimeo Give Feedback More from our library Missionary Mom Length 5:14 Any way you slice it, being a mom in any culture is a fundamental role with mammoth impact. It’s especially challenging for moms who sacrifice the comforts of their homeland, travelling with their families to the ends of the earth to serve on the mission field. Meet Sun-Min, a mom who’s passionate about her family and the ministry in which they serve. But how do you keep it all in balance, in a world with water shortages, blackouts, crazy travelling conditions and more? This is a must-see video for everyone interested in serving cross-culturally, including moms. This Grand Story Length 2:02 Who is Wycliffe Bible Translators? What do they do and who are the people they serve? You might be surprised. Take a quick jaunt around the world and uncover Wycliffe’s heart and passion to see God revealed to minority language communities. Hope Through Bible Translation – #2 (Canadian Version) Length 01:09 Imagine reading the Bible in a second language you learned in high school. Would you get frustrated and give up? For so many people around the world, that’s their reality because they have no Scripture in the language they understand best. But things are changing and you can be part of the story! Bible Translation is a Justice Issue Length 02:43 Many people take it for granted that the Bible is available in their own language, and are unaware that there are hundreds of millions without that privilege – mostly from smaller, often marginalised language groups. This video explains in just under three minutes why translating the Bible is transformative for these communities, bringing greater equality, empowerment and justice. (Produced by the United Bible Societies, used with permission.) View All Previous Next

Africa SMOLDERS, Josh and Jenni Josh and Jenni Smolders have been members of Wycliffe Canada since 2012, and have been serving in linguistics and Bible translation in Ethiopia since 2014. They have four children, Fletcher (M, 2013), Theodore (M, 2017), Rordan (M, 2020), and Raewyn (F, 2023). Josh is originally from Ucluelet, B.C. and holds a Master’s of Linguistics degree from Trinity Western University (2012). Jenni is from Vancouver and holds a master’s degree in English Literature from Simon Fraser University. The work that Josh and Jenni do is the frontline of Bible translation. In 2016 they began working with the Opo community of Gambella, the westernmost state of Ethiopia, and in 2018 they started the Opo Scripture Translation Project in partnership with the Anglican Church in Ethiopia and the Norwegian Missions Society. Josh now leads a team of three mother-tongue translators to bring the Word of God into the Opo language. At the same time Josh works as a linguist, researching and publishing on Ethiopian languages, helping communities develop alphabets, dictionaries, and other educational materials, and even serving as a linguistics consultant-in-training outside Ethiopia, with a focus on helping people analyze the tone systems of languages they work with. Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=147 Previous Next

Before the year ends, give someone their first Bible. Around the world, millions of people are still waiting to hold God’s Word in the language they understand best. A first Bible isn’t just a book—it’s a doorway to knowing Jesus more deeply, growing in faith, and sharing hope with others. As 2025 comes to an end, you have the opportunity to give someone the greatest gift—their very first Bible. Your impact will be doubled. Match My Gift Today Meet Nak* IN A RESTRICTED-ACCESS REGION OF ASIA. So far, Nak only has access to small portions of Scripture. Each new translated passage helps him better understand who God is. “I think something is changing in my heart. I am learning to know the one true God—the God of the Bible.” But the full Bible is still out of reach for him and his people. Before 2025 ends, you can help someone like Nak receive their very first Bible—and encounter God’s Word in a way that transforms their life. More ways to give Give by Phone Make your gift by credit card or banking information over the phone. Call us toll-free Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm MT. Give by Mail Send your cheque to Wycliffe Canada. For member gifts, include a note with the member name(s). Give by E-Transfer Send a one-time gift directly from your Canadian bank account, then complete a short form so we can issue your tax receipt.

Posts By Doug Lockhart Opening wide the gates of life May 20, 2025 | By Doug Lockhart As a youngster, Marcelina was convinced she had little worth. But years later, a Bible translation initiative in her Eastern Apurìmac Quechua language began to open up her world. Read More Counted among the people May 13, 2025 | By Doug Lockhart Having their own New Testament translation gave the Kera something long denied them by neighbouring language groups in Chad: an identity. Read More A new creation April 22, 2025 | By Doug Lockhart In Thailand, the troubled son of Eastern Lawa translators finally discovers his purpose for living. Read More Sign language translation aids Deaf communities to access God’s Word July 26, 2022 | By Doug Lockhart Although some of the world’s Deaf are able to read, it’s estimated that about 80 per cent of the Deaf throughout the world may never gain literacy skills because they have no access to formal education. Read More Back in the Picture August 1, 2019 | By Doug Lockhart Sidelined for two decades by illness and a family tragedy, a Wycliffe linguist returns to a Bible translation project in the Solomon Islands. Read More Latin Americans embrace missions call to Southeast Asia November 19, 2018 | By Doug Lockhart “We believe God is raising up a new wave of missionaries from Latin America for the Bible translation task in Southeast Asia. Read More Search Search Recent Posts Jesus also speaks my language Document Transformation in the mountains Document The story of John Wycliffe Document The very first verse Document From curiosity to conversion Document PREV 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 NEXT