Bible society leaders last year oversaw translations to 1.25 billion people speaking 106 languages. Faith Today intern Jaidyn Bremer went to Toronto to meet three key leaders and reports what they said.
I’ve never worried about when I can read the Bible next. I’ve never faced a day without at least one Bible on my shelf. Or in my pocket. Since I could read, God’s word has existed in my language. In hundreds of translations. It’s something I’ve taken for granted.
Since attending the United Bible Societies (UBS) Fellowship Event hosted by the Canadian Bible Society (CBS) in Toronto at the beginning of October, I’ve held my Bible differently.
The event gathered about 300 leaders from 150 different Bible societies, united in their mission of providing Bible access and engagement resources to all who ask. They collaborated on upcoming endeavours, strengthened their partnerships and built relationships with other Bible societies across the 240 countries and territories with operations.
Prior to this event, the world of Bible translation was foreign to me. I knew the KJV spoke with thees and thous, and I knew my Bible was an NIV, but that was it. Thankfully, I found myself in the most ideal setting to learn.
Not only was I with the most knowledgable people, but I also saw a compelling exhibit featuring Bibles, New Testaments and scriptural resources translated in over 100 languages. It was a physical testimony of the work of the UBS, and a call to action to keep the momentum.
Of the hundreds of leaders present, I had the privilege of speaking with Rupen Das, president of the CBS, Dirk Gevers, UBS secretary general and Elaine Duncan, chair of the Fellowship Council. These three wells of wisdom exceeded in answering every question I had on Bible translation and engagement.