Where We Serve / Shekgalagari Bible Translation
Shekgalagari Bible Translation
The New Testament is complete. The focus is now on discerning and preparing for the next phase of Old Testament translation work.
Bible Translation
Country
- Botswana
Region
- Southern Africa
Language Population
78,800
New Testament in hand, focus shifts to Full Bible
With the New Testament in hand, Shekgalagari-speaking communities in Botswana and Namibia now have greater access to God’s Word in their language. Strong local leadership has fostered a deep desire to continue this vital work, ensuring that worship and faith grow through Scripture engagement.
The focus now shifts to translating Old Testament books, starting with smaller texts and planning for Psalms or Proverbs. Together, we can bring the entirety of God’s Word to Shekgalagari speakers.
Empowering Local Leaders
Local leaders in Botswana are guiding how the Shekgalagari New Testament is used and shared. Financial gifts and prayer support their ongoing work in Scripture engagement, distribution planning, and preparation for future translation efforts.
Program Goals
- Support Scripture engagement using the completed New Testament
- Develop sustainable New Testament distribution pathways
- Discern appropriate next steps for Old Testament translation
- Prepare local leaders for future translation work
Program Plan
Step 1
Foster Scripture Engagement
- Support local leaders as they facilitate Scripture engagement activities.
- A songwriting workshop was completed in May 2025.
- Planning continues for future Scripture engagement and literacy workshops.
Step 2
Distribute the New Testament
- Work is underway to identify appropriate distribution partners and ordering processes so communities can access the Shekgalagari New Testament now and into the future.
Step 3
Advance Old Testament Translation
- Work with the community to discern which Old Testament books should be translated next and what preparation is needed before drafting begins.
Meet the Local Team
Team Members
• Tshwaraganang Tjetjoo – Scripture Engagement Coordinator
• Pontsho Mosweu – Assistant Project Coordinator
Rev. Carl and Kelsey Grulke
Rev. Carl and Kelsey Grulke have been missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators since 2016. They share a love for the Word of God and helping it come alive in the hearts of those who hear. Carl loves exploring the local languages and uncovering how they can reflect who God is. Kelsey enjoys helping others understand God’s story in new ways through technology, the arts, and other innovative methods.
Partner Organizations
Honoring the Language
A marker of this Bantu language is that the prefixes change with the noun class. “She” marks a language. “Ba” represents the people.
People live in the Kalagari (spelled Kalahari in English) Desert. Bakgalagari means “People of the Kalagari”.
The majority of Shekgalagari speakers are subsistence farmers – including farming cattle, goats, and chickens. The language community is widely spread across the southwest region of Botswana and into Namibia.
Program Progress
Bring the Full Bible to the Shekgalagari
God speaks Shekgalagari. Your gift will help ensure the entirety of God’s Word is translated into Shekgalagari.