Why is Bible translation important?

The work of Bible translation leads to more than just access to God’s Word in people’s heart languages. It’s the foundational building block for many ministries that follow. God’s Word in local languages is the cornerstone for church-planting efforts, and strengthens existing churches. Once the Book of Luke is translated into a language, the JESUS film can be dubbed into it. Faith Comes by Hearing can record newly translated Scriptures for the audio versions they provide to people groups everywhere. And of course, the language development involved in a Bible translation project leads to an improved quality of life for minority communities—the translation of health materials, teaching literacy, and much more.

So, you’ve heard us talk about the importance of Bible translation, but what about other Great Commission leaders and ministry organizations—what are they saying about it?

“We cannot do what we do in The JESUS Film Project without the work of Bible translation and Wycliffe Bible Translators. People deserve to hear the good news in their heart language. The partnership between The JESUS Film Project, Campus Crusade for Christ International, and Wycliffe is one of the means God is using to accomplish this and thereby help fulfill the Great Commission.”

—Steve Douglass, President, Campus Crusade for Christ International

“We believe that Bible Translation and Vision 2025 are critical to fulfilling the Great Commission ‘to make disciples of all nations (languages).’ We are honored to do audio recordings of all the Bibles that Wycliffe so faithfully translates. We are one of Wycliffe’s and Vision 2025’s greatest supporters, and we urge everyone to join us in supporting Wycliffe in their Vision 2025 with your lives and resources.

—Morgan Jackson, International Director, Faith Comes By Hearing

“God chooses to reveal Himself through His Word. It is crucial to have God’s Word available to every people group, especially in their own language. Therefore, Bible translation, the work of Wycliffe, is of utmost importance in fulfilling the Great Commission, not only to present the Gospel, but also for the discipling of new believers.”

—Rick Hicks, President, Operation Mobilization

“Many people think that cross-cultural church planting is very complicated. It isn’t. It involves essentially just two things: first, live among the people and win their friendship. Second, at the earliest possible moment get them into intimate contact with this book [the Bible].”

–J. Ronald Blue, Adjunct Professor in World Missions and Intercultural Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

“God is moving in unprecedented ways to reach a lost world as we move into the 21^st century. Previously unreached people groups are systematically being engaged with the gospel and restricted nations are being impacted by creative access strategies. One of the most exciting factors in this global mission advance is the vision of Wycliffe Bible Translators to accelerate Bible translation. Innovative strategies are providing the Word of God to more people and in more languages, anchoring them in the truth of the Scripture. With God’s Word, indigenous leadership are equipped to nurture new churches and spread the gospel far beyond the limited witness of missionary personnel. As the Bible becomes more accessible our vision of the Great Commission being fulfilled becomes more of a reality.”

—Jerry Rankin, President, International Mission Board, SBC

“I rejoice in the work that Wycliffe is doing and heartily support Vision 2025. The translation of God’s Word into the heart language of every people group is critical for the accomplishment of the Great Commission.”

—George Murray, President of Columbia International University

• Praise God for these organizations, their leaders and staff, and the opportunity to work together to reach the least, the last, and the lost for His glory!

The role of the Church in Bible translation

“You mean there’s a plan in place to reach the ends of the earth in my lifetime?”

Beverly Donehoo, Wycliffe USA’s Church Relations Director, first read about Vision 2025 just over four years ago and wondered at Wycliffe’s bold vision. She knew she was staring eternal significance right in the face. But there was a problem. As she began to talk of Wycliffe and Vision 2025 to family and friends—many of them long-time believers—she usually got a blank stare in response. “Most of them had never even heard of Wycliffe, let alone Vision 2025,” she said.

Beverly began to wonder how Wycliffe would fulfill Vision 2025 without the Church. Drawn to the work of Wycliffe, Beverly soon applied, interviewed, and assumed a role specifically designed to engage the Church with Wycliffe’s vision and mission.

Never intending to complete the work of Bible translation without the Church, Wycliffe’s commitment has been and is today to assist the Church in the Great Commission tasks to which God has called all of us. The Church is central in God’s mission—Wycliffe affirms that world evangelism and discipleship is God’s charge to the Church.

So, what can a church do to get involved in Bible translation? The first step is prayer—to search God and know where He is leading. Subsequent steps call for action, but these will be different for each church. As Beverly sees it, “Some will be called to sponsor a translation; others will be called to raise up people to go on their behalf; and some will be called to encourage other churches to get involved.”

• Pray for talented and passionate people to work with us.
• Pray for sufficient funds to allow them to do His work.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of the leaders of His Church to see His heart beating for the nations.”