Translating for the Church of Tomorrow
Two of three born-again Christians in America committed to follow Christ before they turned 18, according to research by the Barna Group. The study indicates that of those, two-thirds actually made their decision by age 13. Did you ever wonder what might have happened if these Christians had not had the Bible in their own language as youngsters?
That’s one of the challenges that Christian Etulo speakers in southeast Nigeria have faced.
“We’ve wanted to [teach children using Etulo],” says Samuel Atini, a secondary school administrator, “but it’s difficult since … the alphabet is either in English or in Tiv.”
This is changing, thanks to a partnership between The Seed Company, Etulo churches, Etulo chiefs and the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust. Recently, the NBTT finished a community-wide orthography workshop that created an Etulo alphabet. And now The Seed Company is partnering with the Etulo to translate the New Testament. Etulo translators are using specialized computer software and equipment, including a satellite receiver to connect with distant consultants.
like the Etulo.”
Schoolteacher Aluwa Abecky has high expectations of the spiritual and social changes an Etulo New Testament will bring. “Even those that are not educated … can [now learn to] read and understand Jesus’ teachings,” she said.
This project marks the 700th partnership between The Seed Company and groups like the Etulo. Watch this video to learn more about the milestone.
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