Middle East/North Africa (MNN) — A new endeavor will fuel Bible translation in 19 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). unfoldingWord CEO David Reeves says the timing couldn’t be better.
“Now is the time to do this. So many people are hungry for the Gospel and coming to Christ,” Reeves says.
“The Holy Spirit is working in this region of the world in profound and deep ways.”
unfoldingWord’s Arabic-Speaking World project gives believers the tools and training they need to do church-centric Bible translation. First, unfoldingWord will create a training “hub” or resource for Bible translation and theological formation. Then, unfoldingWord will teach Arabic-speaking church networks how to use these tools to translate the Bible, check their translations, and train leaders.
(Graphic courtesy of unfoldingWord)
While people groups across the MENA region speak dozens of different languages, nearly everyone uses Modern Standard Arabic for reading and writing. By putting tools and resources into this “trade language,” unfoldingWord makes them accessible to all.
“The Church itself can use those resources to translate the Bible into their language. They don’t have to wait on anyone,” Reeves explains.
unfoldingWord’s training also equips Christians to share what they’ve learned. “They can help others in that region [in] places we can’t go easily,” Reeves continues.
“You end up with a strategy that can permeate the entire region because you’re empowering this Arabic-speaking workforce.”
We’ll bring you more updates on this massive undertaking in the weeks to come. For now, pray for success in these early stages so the project can begin right away. Click here to give a gift on unfoldingWord’s website.
“Prayer warriors, we welcome your prayers,” Reeves says.
“[We are working in] an environment that’s very hostile to the Gospel and certainly doesn’t want to give any ground to Christianity and Christ-followers.”
Header image courtesy of unfoldingWord.
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