Posted on 02/01/2011 12:14:54 PM PST by wmfights
Wycliffe Associates is launching Bible translation efforts in two new areas, one of which has a Christian minority constituting 0.02 percent of the population.
President and CEO of the Bruce Smith, labeled the expansion “one of the most difficult efforts in Wycliffe Associates history.”
“The Gospel cannot be openly preached in these countries. The Scriptures can’t be read in public. Borders are closed, but hearts are open,” he said.
Though both regions could not be named for security reasons, one was revealed as a predominately Muslim country with a strongly Islamic government, where Christianity is heavily restricted and believers are severely persecuted and ostracized by family members and neighbors.
“This is no easy undertaking,” Smith said. “It is one we cannot, and do not, take lightly. I find myself continually pleading with God for guidance in our efforts, and for protection for Bible translators, trainers, their families, and their support teams.”
Preparation to cross the two new frontiers is underway, but it may take up to 15 years before the Bible becomes available in the native language.
“It takes on average five to 15 years to complete a translation of the Bible in a language,” Donn Hallman from Wycliffe Associates told The Christian Post.
Progression varies according to several factors, including the complexity of the language, the team of linguistic experts and missionaries working on the language, and relations with the host country, Hallman explained.
The interdenominational organization partners with volunteering laymen, families, construction workers and nationals to accelerate the work of Bible translating. This is achieved by taking over various practical and time consuming tasks allowing for free hours of translation time.
Wycliffe Associates was founded in 1967 by Bill Butler, Dale Kietzman, and Rudy Renfer, who wanted to bring God’s Word “to every tongue and every heart in the world.”
As part of Vision 2025, the organization aims to start translation projects in every language still needing the Bible translated by the year 2025.
Though both regions could not be named for security reasons, one was revealed as a predominately Muslim country with a strongly Islamic government, where Christianity is heavily restricted and believers are severely persecuted and ostracized by family members and neighbors.
Well, heck — that is not going to do anything — without a nice building, a photogenic minister that promises you your every wish will be granted if just ask God in faith, and cultural relevant outreaches, people won’t get saved. Rick Warren and Joel Osteen have said so from the pulpit of their corporate palaces, er, churches.
(Do I really need to put a sarcasm tag on that?)
Dear Holy Father, may your Good News of our Savior reach many who long for freedom in the light of your Love and Truth. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Myanmar/Burma and Yemen would be my two guesses. But the Muslim one could be any number of countries.
a lot of Philippinos work in Yemen as nurses etc. And many of them, both Catholic and Protestant, have been trained to evangelize quietly.
Many Koreans actually seek out work in Muslim countries to evangelize too.
Just because the pastors and laypeople are not white doesn’t mean that there are no Christians in these countries.
Indeed, if you count overseas workers, there are at least a million Christians in Saudi Arabia...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.