Building Bridges to God’s Word:Scripture Engagement Training

A transformative 3-day Scripture Engagement Training took place at the Bible Translation Division of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY)in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Led by Rev. Qes Alemu, the EECMY National Coordinator for Scripture Engagement, the training equipped nine new Scripture Engagement workers and two Community Facilitators with practical tools and strategies to help connect people to God’s Word, mother-tongue Bible translation projects, their local churches, and one another. 

Equipping New Scripture Engagement Workers 

The Scripture Engagement workers, all recent graduates of the Bible Translation program at Mekane Yesus Seminary have been strategically placed in language communities with active Bible translation projects. Their mission is to cultivate relationships within these communities, ensuring that the work of translation is not just an academic exercise but an active and life-changing engagement with Scripture. 

The two Community Facilitators, on the other hand, have been sent to language groups where Bible translation work has yet to begin. Their role is to lay the groundwork—mobilizing church and community leaders to take ownership of future Bible translation efforts. 

This training provided the new workers with examples of practical strategies and methods for beginning their important work. Developed by LBT missionary Dr Chris Pluger, this “Scripture Engagement Toolbox” offers a host of ideas and activities to help foster meaningful engagement with God’s Word.

What’s in the “Scripture Engagement Toolbox”? 

Over the course of three days, the participants explored innovative approaches to Scripture engagement, including: 

• Active Listening & Relationship Building: Developing a deep understanding of community needs to shape how Scripture is introduced and embraced.  

• Awareness Raising & Community Mobilization: Building relationships with church leaders, pastors, and key community figures to create a sense of shared ownership over Bible translation efforts.  

• Bible Reading & Listening Groups: Empowering ncouraging individuals and communities to come together to interact with Scripture in ways that are natural and meaningful to them.. 

• Literacy programs: Making 
  sure that when the Bible is published, people are able and excited to read it. 

• Creative Distribution Strategies: Moving beyond traditional book sales (or giveaways) by leveraging local markets, mobile bookshops, and digital formats to ensure widespread Scripture access. 

• Social Media & Digital Outreach: Utilizing platforms like YouTube, Telegram, and Facebook to share Scripture in the heart language of the people. 

Beyond Scripture in Hand—God’s Word in Hearts

The goal of Scripture Engagement is not simply to distribute Bibles but to connect people to God’s Word. The training emphasized that the true oal of Bible Translation work is accomplished when people encounter Scripture in a language they understand, in a format they can access, and in a way that speaks to their hearts. 

Dr. Pluger summed up the mission of the training by stating, “The goal is not just the Bible in people’s hands, but God’s Word in their hearts, changing lives and communities by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

With this training, new Scripture Engagement workers and Community Facilitators are now better prepared to serve in their language communities, fostering a love for God’s Word and strengthening the connection between Scripture, local churches, and the people who need it most.