The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) is partnering with Wycliffe Bible Translators to support an Africa Bible translation project.
The country in question can’t be named, to protect the Bible translators and church leaders involved, but it’s a war-torn country in Africa where new church leaders don’t have a Bible in their language. FIEC got involved at its November leaders’ conference, where £7,000 was raised for the project; Wycliffe speakers got invited to 120 churches to share about the need for Bible translation. The goal is to raise £70,000 – with matched funding – to help unlock the Scriptures in 11 languages spoken by 850,000 people.
John Stevens, FIEC National Director, said: “One of our fundamental convictions at FIEC is that the Bible is the living word of God, and that it makes people wise for salvation in Christ, sanctifies believers into His likeness, and thoroughly equips His disciples to serve Him. It is therefore essential to the church’s mission that people all around the world can access the Bible in their own heart language.”
James Poole, Executive Director of Wycliffe Bible Translators, said: “We’re delighted our long-standing friendship with FIEC has led to this current partnership. Together, we’re seeking to make the Bible available to fast-growing churches in a context of extreme opposition.” FIEC’s Rising Lights conference, in April, will see fruit from this partnership; Wycliffe Bible Translators told en that the organisation will have a stand at Rising Lights, and that the plan is to show a video during one of the sessions.
“Bible-believing churches can’t be established without a Bible to believe,” Poole continued. “Expository preaching, Scripture-based pastoral care, and one-to-one discipleship all depend on access to reliable translations. Through this partnership, many persecuted churches will gain access to the Bible, becoming better equipped to proclaim the gospel faithfully and contend for the truth.”
“This partnership [could] be transformative for our persecuted brothers and sisters, serving them as an expression of the unity we have in Christ,” Poole concluded.
