The journey of Vision 2025: Bible translation in every language
By Kirk J. Franklin | Wycliffe Today Autumn 2025 |
Missiologist for Wycliffe Global Alliance
Global Missional Leadership lecturer for the Melbourne School of Theology
Past CEO of Wycliffe Australia
The birth of a vision
In June 1999, a historic gathering occurred at the JAARS Centre in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Known as ICON99, it brought together the Wycliffe International Convention and the SIL International Conference. During this event, 350 delegates adopted ‘Vision 2025’: a commitment to ensure that a Bible translation project would be underway for every group needing one by 2025. Part of the resolution stated:
Motivated by the pressing need for all peoples to have access to the Word of God in a language that speaks to their hearts, and reaffirming our historic values and trust in God to accomplish the impossible, we embrace the vision that by 2025, a Bible translation project will be in progress for every people group that needs it.
This vision was more than a goal; it was a reimagining of Bible translation as a Holy Spirit–led movement that invited collaboration with the global Church. Vision 2025 called for new attitudes, partnerships, and approaches aligned with God’s mission. It was also meant to be a challenge for the next generation to embrace.
The vision in action
Vision 2025 brought a sense of urgency for making Scripture accessible in every language, ensuring that no linguistic or cultural barriers keep people from encountering God’s Word. The vision also recognised that a new approach was needed, so sustainability, capacity-building and collaboration all became priorities. Genuine partnerships with Bible agencies and the worldwide Church became important, along with a commitment to unity and humility before God, acknowledging the Holy Spirit’s leading.
The changing landscape in Bible translation
In the years following its adoption, Vision 2025 stimulated changes within the Bible translation movement. By 2011, more Christians in the Majority World were leading translation work. Consequently, Wycliffe International renamed itself Wycliffe Global Alliance (WGA) to emphasise this change from an international mission agency to a global movement for Bible translation.
One of the most striking outcomes from Vision 2025 has been the global expansion in Bible translation. In 1999, Wycliffe was still predominantly Western, but by 2010, over 70 per cent of Wycliffe Global Alliance organisations were from the Majority World. This reflects a collective shift toward shared ownership and local initiative.
A further strength has been the movement’s adaptability. New technologies, fresh strategies, and a willingness to experiment have enabled Vision 2025 to respond to a rapidly changing world.
A commitment to the future
With the year 2025 now well underway, we can reflect on the significance of Vision 2025. When this bold commitment began 26 years ago, it was estimated that it could take 125 to 150 years to start Bible translation projects for the remaining 3,000 people groups without Scripture in the languages they understand best. Today, through the collective efforts of Bible agencies and the global Church, that number has dramatically reduced to 985 languages.[*] This progress reflects God’s faithfulness and the tireless dedication of his people.
The journey is far from over, and the need for Bible translation remains urgent. This vision is not bound by a deadline but by a divine calling to participate in God’s mission. It is an invitation to every believer to pray, support, and act so that all people groups may encounter the transformative power of God’s Word in a language that speaks to their hearts. Together, we carry forward the legacy of Vision 2025, trusting in God to accomplish what seems impossible, for his glory.
[*] For more information visit https://www.wycliffe.net/resources/statistics/
Words of life
By Max Sahl | Wycliffe Today Spring 2024 |
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)
As a young man, I personally experienced the power of God’s Word to transform a life – my own life! The Scriptures tell us the history of God’s people and point us to Jesus Christ, but they are also living and active and penetrate into the deepest parts of our soul. These words are just as powerful and relevant today as they were thousands of years ago. As Paul shares in his second letter to Timothy, ALL Scripture is inspired by God, guides us in holy living and helps to equip us for ‘every good work’.
This edition of Wycliffe Today shares powerful testimonies about lives and communities that have been transformed for eternity by the power of God’s Word. We also honour the lives of Des and Jenny Oatridge – a humble couple who dedicated their lives to not only translating the Bible but also helping to save an entire people group on the brink of extinction.
May you be encouraged in the truth and power of God’s Word!
Transformed by the Word: Little by little
By Lyn Wake | Wycliffe Today Spring 2024 Edition |
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
As we look deeply into the Word of God, the Spirit of God uses it to change us into the image of the Son of God. The concept here is metamorphosis: the process by which we are being transformed into a new form.
Metamorphosis is seen in the transformation that a butterfly goes through during its life cycle. From a tiny egg, to a caterpillar, to the formation of a chrysalis and finally the beautiful winged creature that emerges in its final, glorious form.
While some of us experience significant transformational events in our Christian discipleship, not all change is as quick and dramatic as that of the butterfly. It seems that God often chooses to change us into the likeness of Jesus little by little throughout our walk with him.
Do you remember when the power of God’s Word first began to transform your life?
I don’t remember the exact biblical passage that captivated my heart. Yet as I read page upon page of the Gospels for the first time during a summer youth camp, I was overwhelmed by the perfect love I discovered in Jesus and I am yet to get over the passion he sparked within me.
Over the decades since, the formation of my character has developed slowly, but surely. Necessary change has come through the various ups and downs, twists and turns, mountain peaks and dark valley encounters that have carved out my unique pathway towards Christlikeness. And while I can get discouraged by what seems a long way to go, I also look back with gratitude for how far I have come by his saving grace.
As I absorb and enact God’s powerful Word, I regain courageous hope in the Spirit-led process of metamorphosis. Cocooned in his love, God has promised to change us little by little into the glorious image of Jesus as we trust and obey.
Be transformed by the Word as you engage with: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
For further reflection: How can you surrender to the transforming power of God’s Word in one area of your life right now?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for promising to transform my life through the power of your Word. Please help me to cooperate with you in the good work of blessing your world. Amen.
Creating change from the inside out
By Deb Fox | Wycliffe Today Spring 2024 Edition |
Nelson Tapineng with his wife, Georgina.
Nelson Tapineng is the new Executive Director of the Bible Translation Association (BTA) of Papua New Guinea – one of Wycliffe Australia’s close partners. A key focus for Nelson as the leader of BTA is ensuring that his team creates change from the inside out. He wants everyone involved in the work of Bible translation to not only be helping others be changed by God’s Word but also be in the process of being transformed themselves. Nelson says:
The vision of BTA is transforming Papua New Guineans through the translated Word of God. I’m challenging myself that, before another Papua New Guinean is transformed, I have to be transformed myself first. The Word of God is not really preaching from a nicely prepared sermon to make people understand. No, it is also the way we live our lives. That transformed life has to flow from within us. How can you transform others if you’re not transformed yourself? I am being changed in the process of supporting Bible translation and so is my family.
Nelson meets with administration and translation staff on the ground on a regular basis to encourage them and to help identify any areas where they need help. He mentions:
The relationship is so important! People need to know they are appreciated and that we care about their needs. We are committed to capacity building, not only with infrastructure and systems but also building up our people. We have done recruitment and training to identify where people fit in and how their gifts can best be used.
BTA has 69 language projects on its books but Nelson says that of these, only 18 are active. More help and resources are needed before the other 51 can be reopened. Of the more than 800 languages spoken in PNG, there are also many more languages needing a translation project to begin. Nelson is planning to create greater awareness among churches and individuals about the crucial role Bible translation plays in not only spiritual transformation but also preserving language and transforming culture. Nelson says:
We’ve got to protect our languages! We thank God for Bible translation and the way it helps with language preservation. The work that BTA and its partners are doing is vitally important for that. I grew up in the church but my knowledge of the importance of Bible translation was very low before I joined BTA. That’s why we are focusing on awareness. We recently held an event with politicians and leaders to make them aware of the needs for translation. Papua New Guineans must understand the importance of Bible translation. We believe that as we do our part, God will provide what we need.
Nelson says that BTA is grateful for the support of churches and individuals who want to help transform individuals and whole communities with the good news found in God’s Word:
I must thank our international friends and families who have been supporting BTA, including our friends in Australia. It’s evidence of the relationship and love you have for us.
PRAY:
- for the 5 million PNG kina (around $1.9 million AUD) needed to support the needs of BTA
- that the Lord will help BTA to position itself in a way that honours God
- for more young people to join the organisation and for opportunities to help them receive training.
Christ transforming culture: A safari adventure in Kenya
By Deb Fox | Wycliffe Today Autumn 2024 Edition
In September 2023, Wycliffe Australia sent a team of nine people from Australia to Kenya to facilitate seven training events. The first three events were in far northern Kenya and mostly delivered in the Borana language. One major event was a Contextualisation Workshop, where Borana pastors and lay people studied their culture and worldviews in light of Scripture. Those involved in the workshop learned a new Bible story each day then went to local schools, where the stories were eagerly accepted by the children. At the same time, a different group of Boranas were learning The Matthew Drama script to help bring the words in the Bible to life. Over 900 Borana speakers (most not from a Christian background) attended the performances.
Team leader, Keith Benn, explains that the purpose of the trip was to provide training and support for African pastors and those involved in Bible translation, while also encouraging Aussies to consider how they can support the global church in Scripture engagement and Bible storytelling. As Keith says, ‘An important goal for every church is making God’s Word relevant for their people’.
Philemon was one of the Kenyan pastors who expressed gratitude for attending the workshops:
In our contextualisation class today, I learnt about the different rituals and the different festivals we do. I realised that, as Scripture depicts, Christ transforms culture – all culture. There is no culture that does not need transformation. Scripture says that God can transform them in a better way to ensure that God is the anchor of everything.
One of the Australian team members, Robert Love, was encouraged by the insights the Kenyan leaders shared during the workshops:
We’ve had a particularly fruitful and interesting time looking at traditional Mbeere beliefs and what the Bible says about them. In particular, we’ve been looking at how the Mbeere people believe that they go to sacrifice and make prayers to Gai (God) at special trees in order to get things that they want. Then we turn to the Bible, looking at some verses that help to throw some light on that particular belief. One passage in particular that has been helpful is Acts 17:24–25, ‘The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
Images: Evan Mercer
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