AUGUST 2010



TELLING GOD’S STORY

:Oral Bible translations 6



PRAYER SEEDS

:Join our work in prayer! 8

Empowering Emerging Leaders

Kwame Nkrumah and the next generationof international Bible translators

SEEDLINKS, AUGUST 2010—2

Get your church involved! For moreinformation visitblankbible.org

For 353 million people, the Bible is an empty book.They speak one of 2,200 languages that don’t haveeven one verse of Scripture. Perhaps equally shockingis the fact that although most Americans have access tomultiple Bibles, 66 percent rarely or never read the Bible.*That’s why churches across America are taking upThe Blank Bible Challenge and changing the statistics.

Get Your Church Involved Today!

Together your church can spend 28 days engagingwith God’s Word in a fresh way.

Church memberswill go on a Scripture journey from Creation to the EarlyChurch when they sign up to receive FREE daily e-mails.Multimedia resources bring Scriptures alive. Discussionpoints keep people talking, drawing them deeper intoGod’s Word. These 15-minute daily e-mails are great forpersonal study, family devotions and small groups.

And, together your church can open up a whole newworld for others.

By partnering with a local translationteam, your church will help a specific people groupreceive a first-time Scripture translation. The impactwill be eternal as God’s Word transforms lives, churchesspring up and communities begin to thrive.

Enrich Your Bible Experience and Share It With Others

*Center for Bible Engagement

Words From Roy

*Edward M. Bounds (1835-1913), American minister and author.ccel.org/ccel/bounds/weapon.toc.html

As a man seasoned inspiritual warfare with hard-won victories under his belt,the Apostle Paul wantedbelievers at Ephesus—andus—to know how to prayeffectively.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that youwill be able to stand firmagainst all strategies of thedevil.”

Paul also stressedthe importance of knowingGod’s Word and explainedthat prayer was essential inwinning each battle:

“Prayin the Spirit at all times andon every occasion. Stayalert and be persistent inyour prayers for all believerseverywhere.”

he said. (SeeEphesians 6:10-18, NLT.)Paul’s admonitions ringloud in our hearts as SeedCompany staff members jointogether each day, lifting upurgent prayer needs, prayingfor you and other partners,our national translationteams and The SeedCompany staff. As we prayfor people groups aroundthe world, I am so deeplythankful to God that you arepraying for them as well. Yourprayers are paving the wayfor millions of people to hearand understand the GoodNews of Jesus’ coming.We are launching a newprayer movement to mobilizeeven more targeted prayerfor people groups andtheir translation projects.We know the enemy is notsitting still, so we are on theadvance and increasing ourprayer arsenal to win spiritualbattles on every front.In his book

The Weapon of Prayer

, E. M. Bounds, a manof intense prayer, stated theneed for such prayer whenhe said, “In doing God’s workthere is no substitute forpraying. … The life, the vigor,the motive-power of God’swork is formed by prayingmen [and women]

”*Please watch for moreinformation about ournew prayer initiatives. Weappreciate your vital prayersupport as together we shareGod’s Word with peopleworldwide.For God’s glory,Roy L. Peterson, President

“We learned about OneVerse while at a Passion Conferencein 2007. Shortly after that event, we decided we wantedto participate in translating the Bible for others around theworld,” said Susan Swafford. Susan and her husband Davidhave been project partners with the Jamaican Patois projectsince 2008, so they decided to visit the translation team.Soon after they arrived, they accompanied the translators toMeadowbrook High School in Kingston. The team membersspoke to the student body during a large assembly andshared some Jamaican Scripture verses. “The studentswere very receptive,” Susan observed. “I think the majorityof the students would agree that [Scripture in Patois] waseasier for them to understand than what they usually hearin English, in church.”Next, they traveled to the Bible Society of the West Indiesheadquarters in Kingston, the bustling capital city, wherethe translators work. Project coordinator Bertram gave theman office tour. He demonstrated the software they useand showed them the team’s reference resources.Bertram also explained how he has divided the work anddescribed their translation procedures. He invited Davidand Susan to observe the team in action. The translatorsdiscussed at length how to ensurethe accuracy and understandability of the translation of the first two versesin Galatians. Amazed, Susan commented, “How oftendo most people thoroughly study and think about God’sWord in this way?”Then the group went to a local bus stop where studentswaited to begin their afternoon commute. The translatorsshared their drafts with several people. Susan notes,“And how cool to begin reading their own language for thefirst time from the Word of God!”As David and Susan said good-bye to the team, thetranslators gave them two bookmarks containing JamaicanScripture. But as they interacted with other Jamaicans,the couple gave away their Scripture souvenirs. Now theirpassion for Bible translation is stronger than ever.

SEEDLINKS, AUGUST 2010—7

“How often do most people thoroughly study andthink about God’s Word in [the way the team does]?”—Susan Swafford

Get involved! Go tooneverse.orgto learn more about helping Bertramtranslate the Bible for his people.

OneVerse partners learn about God’s Work in Jamaican Patois project.

Translation team members with partnersSusan and David Swafford (right) Above and below: Jamaicantranslation team members in action.