We Are Blessed to Have God’s Word.

 The following information comes via Wycliffe. (http://www.wycliffe.org/About/Statistics.aspx) Wycliffe is a worldwide organization whose efforts to translate the Bible into every language are invaluable. Because of this organization, millions of people have heard and read the Bible for the first time ever. We are blessed to have the Bible, not just in English, but to a degree that we have multiple translations to choose from. Read these statistics. The information is shocking. When we realize how many people are desperate for what we have an abundance of, I pray that you appreciate the Word of God many times over.

The worldwide status of Bible translation (2007):

 

6,912	…the number of languages spoken in the world today
2,251	…the number of languages without any of the Bible, but with a possible need of a Bible translation to begin
193,000,000	…the number of people who speak the 2,251 languages where translation projects have not yet begun
1,953	…the number of translation programs currently in progress for languages without adequate Scripture
nearly 80%	…amount of the world’s remaining Bible translation needs that are located in the three areas of greatest need (below)
1,168	…the number of language communities which have access to the New Testament in their heart language
438	…the number of language communities which have access to the entire Bible in the language they understand best
6,500,000,000	…the population of the world

 Why Bible Translation is Important

 

 Today, more than 2,200 language groups do not have a single verse of Scripture available in their languages. Nearly 80 percent of them are located in three areas of the world:

Central Africa & Nigeria: 500+

Mainland & Southeast Asia: 500+

Indonesia & the Pacific Islands:750

Need:

What makes these areas especially difficult? A number of factors challenge work, including:

• Political and religious roadblocks
• Security
• Dense populations
• Large quantity of languages per capita
• Difficult access to language locations

Literacy:

According to UNESCO, in the world today there are about 1 billion non-literate adults:

• This 1 billion is approximately 26 percent of the world’s adult population.
• Women make up two-thirds of all non-literates.
• 98 percent of all non-literates live in developing countries.
• In the least developed countries, the overall illiteracy rate is 49 percent.
• 52 percent of all non-literates live in India and China.
• Africa as a continent has a literacy rate of less than 60 percent.
• In Sub-Saharan Africa since 1980, primary school enrollment has declined, going from 58 percent to 50 percent.
• In all developing countries, the percentage of children aged 6-11 not attending school is 15 percent. In the least developed countries, it is 45 percent. (UNESCO 1998 )

In the world today, the number of people speaking lesser-known languages is 1.25 billion—that is 20 percent of the world’s population:

• The average adult literacy rate among that population is an estimated 31 percent.
• The average adult literacy rate in their mother tongue among speakers of lesser-known languages is an estimated 12 percent.
• 26 countries have more than 90 percent of the total national population speaking lesser-known languages. The average literacy rate in these countries is 63 percent.
• 21 countries have less than 1 percent of the total national population speaking lesser-known languages. The average literacy rate in these countries is 93 percent.
• Of the world’s non-literate population, an estimated 476 million are speakers of lesser-known languages. In other words, approximately 50 percent of all non-literates are minority language speakers.

There is a correlation between income and illiteracy:

• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate less than 55 percent averages about $600
• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate between 55 and 84 percent is $2,400
• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate between 85 and 95 percent is $3,700
• Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate above 96 percent is $12,600

They are searching for life that can only be found in Jesus. God speaks through His Word to communicate His character, His promises, and His invitation to love and know and serve Him. How can people know Him when they can’t clearly understand the words they hear or read—or worse, when they have no Scriptures available to them at all?

IN THE RIGHT WORDS

More than 2,200 language communities still do not have true access to even one verse of Scripture. They need to experience God’s Word in their heart language.

It’s true that some minority language groups are bilingual, and they can read the Bible in their second or even third language, but it’s hard to connect with the message when it’s not in their mother tongue. It’s like trying to eat soup with a fork, or trying to read by moonlight. It might be possible, but not very effective, and certainly not very inviting. Bible translation in the heart language invites people to truly encounter God’s truth.

Some communities have never heard about Jesus at all. They have absolutely no access to God’s Word. For them, Bible translation can mean the difference between eternity with God and eternity without Him.

 

THE RIGHT MINISTRY

Bible translation is foundational to every part of Christian ministry. It leads to evangelism, discipleship and church planting. It leads to transformed lives as people learn to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

THE RIGHT MESSAGE

The people of the world are searching for

Truth, Love, Forgiveness, Purpose, Peace