WycliffBibleTranslators

First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, GA

800 South Enota Drive Gainesville, GA 30501

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OUTREACH/MISSIONS IN ACTION

Wycliffe Bible Translators

   Today, more than 2,000 active languages in the world do not have a translated Bible, not even one verse. Our church has joined efforts to change this situation by supporting the Wycliffe Bible Translators. A total of $11,686 went to Wycliffe from First Presbyterian Church in 2006. Attendants at the church’s upcoming World Mission Conference will hear Jim Leamer of the Wycliffe Southeast Regional Office. Rex and Jean Leiffers, Wycliffe translators who have been conference guests in the past, are expected to return. The World Mission Conference will begin Friday Feb. 1 and continue through Sunday, Feb. 3.
    The work of a Bible translator is much more than putting words on paper. First of all, some of the Bible-less languages do not have a written form. Written words must be developed and people must be taught to read. Before a complete Bible or New Testament can be published, type must be developed to print it on the page. Also, translation workers must understand the culture. What makes these people cry? What makes them laugh?
    How do they communicate important messages to one another? Is it through their music? One group did not want the Bible’s words to be written on a page because they believed written words were dead words. They wanted the Bible’s words to be sung. The translation must be accurate without embellishment or distortion. It must convey the feelings and attitudes behind the original text. It also must be varied, including the poetry and prophesy found in the original text.
    When the translation is not accurate, the communication is totally lost, and language workers tell many stories about lost messages. For example, a missionary preaching in a Bantu language of West Africa thought he said, “The children of Israel crossed the Red Sea and followed Moses.” Instead he said, “The children of Israel crossed the re mosquitoes and swallowed Moses.”
    The world is reported to have 6,912 living languages, and Wycliffe Bible Translators with its partners have produced more than 500 complete translations since beginning in 1942. The more than 2,000 languages that still have no Bible represent 193 million people.
    Translation of the Bible in one language once took a lifetime, but today’s electronic technology is making it much faster and easier. Currently, 90 language projects are under way around the world, and the goal of Wycliffe is to see a Bible translation project under way inevery remaining language by the year 2025.

In addition to monetary donations, Wycliffe’s efforts can be supported by filling one of the jobs for two years here in the U.S. or overseas and by joining the prayer team. More information and e-mail requests for specific prayer are available on the Wycliffe Web sites: www.wycliffe.org or www.wycliffe.net. Another Web site, www.wynet.org/usa, is for mission-minded students and allows them to help in reaching “every tribe, tongue and nation.” (Rev. 7:9)

First Presbyterian Church shares the love of Christ with those in need across the world through a variety of programs and benevolences. Click the links below to learn more.