As I look at the Bibles on my shelves, I count eight different English Bibles, a German-English Bible, seven different Greek Bibles, three Hebrew Bibles, and a nicely bound Swahili Bible. I have hundreds more translations in BibleWorks. I love Scripture; I love languages; and I love that English especially has a multitude of translations to help us study Scripture more effectively.
But in the back of my mind, as I have run a website devoted to exegesis, finished a PhD in biblical studies, pastored, and studied Scripture, I’ve always known there were a mass of people out there without one single verse in their heart language. I hoped to be able to help them some day, in some way, but never knew what form that would take.
This year, God in his providence and kindness led us to Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Wycliffe Bible Translators
For 75 years, Wycliffe has helped people around the world translate the Bible into their own languages. Wycliffe also helps with language development, literacy and other spiritual and physical needs.
Their mission is to see a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by 2025 and Wycliffe is working faster than ever to reach those languages as soon as possible.
As you can see from the following graphic, around 1,600 languages still need translation projects begun. Indeed, there are ~1.5 billion people lacking a full Bible in their own heart language.
Our Calling to Wycliffe
Retrospectively, our family recognizes all that God has done to prepare us to contribute to Wycliffe’s mission. I’ve always enjoyed exegesis and translation, opting for a good translation session over a movie most days. I’ve had to learn six languages in my lifetime, and I studied linguistics for my dissertation and beyond. My pastoral ministries have always kept me grounded in God’s mission to people and to the nations. I just never knew how my heart for the Bible, languages, linguistics, and missions could all come together.
As we shared our background and passions with Wycliffe, they asked us to consider teaching at the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) in Dallas, TX. GIAL offers specialized training in fields such as linguistics, language & culture learning, anthropology, literacy, translation, and more. This training prepares students for international service, including Bible translation.
At GIAL, Todd will teach courses in biblical studies, Greek, and linguistics to train aspiring Bible translators. Our family could think of no better way for God to use us for his kingdom.
You Can Invest in Bible Translation
We are overjoyed and blessed that we get to spend our days investing in training Bible translators in this way, but we cannot do it without a fully developed team of prayer and financial partners. If you’re passionate about missions and Scripture, you too can play a role in training Bible translators by partnering with us.
GIAL will not be paying us a salary because they are committed to keeping down the cost of tuition so that Bible translation missionaries can get to their field assignments without huge school loan debt. The only funding for our salary comes through our partners’ financial giving to our Wycliffe ministry.
Wycliffe has determined a budget for this ministry and we must have financial partnership for 100% of the budget before we can be cleared to move to Dallas to begin teaching. I invite you all to prayerfully consider whether our Wycliffe ministry would be a good missions investment for your family.
How to Partner with our Wycliffe Ministry
- Commit to praying for us: Reply and ask us to add you to our private Facebook group for prayer and financial partners.
- Help us reach 100% of monthly financial partnership for our Wycliffe ministry.
- Online: Give through our Personal Missionary Page. Recurring giving option is available and is our most pressing need. Giving through the bank account option will avoid credit card fees.
- By check: Make checks payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators and include a separate note stating: “Preference for Todd and Dezi Scacewater’s Wycliffe ministry 272065” Mail to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-82200
All gifts are tax-deductible.
Want to learn more? Visit our website to read more about our story and task at GIAL.
