Five Years On!

Five Years On!

Christmas 2020
In the fall of 2015, Lutheran Bible Translators moved from the Chicago area to Concordia, Missouri. What happened in five years? Does sharing the Word of God change over time?

Five language communities now have either a New Testament or full Bible in the language of their heart – a language they understand. Elsewhere new projects are starting as partnerships expand or involvement increases in new language communities. All accomplished by the language community, local partners and churches, Lutheran Bible Translators, and you!

The Mekane Yesus Seminary opened a new program, following years of behind-the-scenes organization with Lutheran Bible Translators and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. In the fall of 2018, the seminary began training its first class of new pastoral candidates to serve in translation ministry.

Seven new missionary units are serving immersed with Lutheran Bible Translators translation teams.

Administratively, Lutheran Bible Translators restructured its funding approach to invest in future priorities, expanded its focus on training, upgraded communications, and advanced with technology.

The Bible translation world has appreciated your support for decades, even in challenging times. Your partnership with Lutheran Bible Translators makes a world of difference to those who do not yet have God’s Word in their language!

What happens in Bible translation in the next five years? You can make things happen!

[give_form id=”26231″]

          Local students in Concordia, MO getting involved with the Bible translation movement.

“This time together has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me! I have felt overwhelmed with fear about the future and my family, and the stories we learned have encouraged me beyond words. God is so great! He provides.”

During the workshop, Mary read translated passages of Exodus in her language for the first time and was strengthened in her understanding of God’s faithfulness and provision. Workshop participants are blessed by Bible stories of God’s love and sovereignty in their language., They share these blessings with their church and their community. Join in the partnership by going to lbt.org/give.

Carl and Nancy were among the first missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators to serve in Liberia with the vision of sharing God’s Word with Gola speakers. Illness prevented them from staying in the country, but Carl’s heart remained in Liberia with the Gola people.

Although two civil wars delayed the project, the Gola translation of the New Testament was dedicated in March 2020 – fifty years after it first began. Nancy contacted Lutheran Bible Translators: “Would it be possible to send a copy of the Gola New Testament to Carl?” His battle against leukemia was coming to an end. Nancy shared that despite his illness, Carl celebrated holding the Gola New Testament in his hands.

“Tears of joy flowed down his face.”

Carl’s joy was founded in the Good News – Christ lived, died, and rose again for every nation, tribe, and tongue! Although Carl could not be in Liberia for the dedication of the New Testament, in his service and partnership, he was able to share his love for the Gola people and the Word. As he was called home, he shared in the blessings of the Gospel.

You have blessed communities abroad with Lutheran Bible Translators through your faithful and generous support. May you be blessed with the good news of lives transformed by the power of God’s Word.

Stories of joy in sharing the
Word around the world.

Read Now

Blessings found in the Word.

Read NowFive years of Lutheran Bible
Translators in Concordia, MO.
Read NowRead NowBlog Articles Go NowIf you would like to see Messenger as a printable PDF, click on this link to get the PDF: Messenger Christmas 2020

Dr. Mike Rodewald & Amy Gerdts, Editor(s)
Barbara Beermann, Editorial Management
Caleb Rodewald, Layout & Design
The Messenger is the official quarterly periodical of
Lutheran Bible Translators,
205 S. Main St, Bldg 5, PO Box 789,
Concordia MO 64020.
1-660-225-0810 | www.lbt.org | info@LBT.org
Standard A Non-Profit postage paid at Aurora, Illinois.
Printed in the U.S.A. Comments and inquiries are invited.
Correspondence may be directed to The Messenger
Editor.
©2020 Lutheran Bible Translators, Inc.
Permission is granted to excerpt from this publication.
Please send a copy of use of material to the editor.
Executive Director: Dr. Mike Rodewald