Celebrate Bible Translation Day!
For many years, Wycliffe and our partners have set aside Sept. 30 to honor the work of Bible translation.
It started back in 1966, when Wycliffe founder William Cameron Townsend first shared an idea with Oklahoma Senator Fred Harris, his friend of several years.
Harris liked the idea and agreed to propose the resolution in the Senate. And on Sept. 30, 1966, a ceremony was held to celebrate the proposed resolution. Since the Apache New Testament had only recently been completed, Cam decided they should present that translation as part of the ceremony. Senator Harris presided, and Cam arranged for Britton Goode, the Apache who had helped the translators, to present the Scriptures to him and Congressman Ben Reifel. As a Sioux member from South Dakota, Reifel had witnessed firsthand the impact of owning the Bible in your own language: His mother spoke only broken English and used the Sioux Bible to teach her children about God.
Several people gave speeches that day, including both Senator Harris and Congressman Reifel. Cam’s speech left the group in attendance encouraged and inspired.
“We are making history. By God’s grace and with His help, we are taking part in a tremendous enterprise,” said Cam as he began his speech. “The enterprise is Bible translation; the goal is hearts changed by God and disciples equipped to lead others to Christ. But before any translation can be done, before any change comes in a heart, we must overcome physical and language barriers.
“The language barrier is difficult to overcome. But it must be done. The Holy Spirit, speaking through John says, ‘After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb’ (Revelation 7:9a, NIV). We believe God has called us to help make this verse come true.
“It takes hard work, dedication, perseverance and commitment. Teachers at Wycliffe’s schools have helped thousands of students learn translation and literacy principles, but we lack people who are willing to go. Many don’t realize how Bible translation is still needed around the world.”
Although the Senate never officially passed the resolution, the United Nations passed International Translation Day in 2017 in honor of the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development.
Today Wycliffe and like-minded partners continue to carry on the tradition of celebrating Bible Translation Day as a way of commemorating all that God has — and continues to do — through translated Scripture around the world.
3 Ways to Celebrate Bible Translation Day
Wondering how you can spread awareness about this significant day with your family, friends and church? We have a few ideas to help people of all ages celebrate how God is working in the Bible translation movement today.
Pray for what God is doing among the nations
Prayer is essential to Bible translation and it surrounds every step of the journey — from the first verse that’s translated to the completion of God’s Word in a new language.
Praying for the nations is a great way to celebrate Bible Translation Day! Our free, downloadable devotional called “Prayer 7:9: Pray for the Nations” can help you grow in your prayer life as you align your heart with God’s vision for every nation and language to have His Word.
This 7-week devotional will guide you through Scripture, real stories and practical prayer prompts to help you intercede for the global Church and those still waiting for Scripture.
Support Bible translation projects — one verse at a time!
Adopt-a-Verse is a one-time giving event that invites people in your church to sponsor individual Bible verses to help fund a Scripture translation project. And it’s a great way that your church can honor Bible Translation Day this year!
Every $35 gift helps translate one verse of Scripture and brings a community closer to having God’s Word. Anyone can sponsor a verse of Scripture and help bring God’s Word to a people group still waiting for it in their language.
Interested in hosting an Adopt-a-Verse event this year?
Learn how you can help bring Scripture to life for others! →
Teach kids about the importance of missions
You’re never too young to make a difference in the world. And kids can be part of the Bible translation movement too!
Invite kids into the Great Commission with Kate & Mack resources. Join Kate, a Wycliffe missionary kid, and her parrot friend, Mack, on a global adventure. Kids in kindergarten to 5th grade will get the chance to explore God’s love for all people through crafts, games and more.
Along the way, they’ll learn about God's great love for all people and why everyone needs a Bible they can understand.
Get kids involved in celebrating Bible Translation Day by using these resources in your church or as a way to teach kids about the world from a missions-based perspective.
People's lives are changed when they have access to God’s Word, bringing value and worth to their communities and languages as they understand His heart for them to encounter Him personally. We are privileged to be a catalyst in this global Bible translation movement, collaborating with hundreds of partners around the world so that more people can have access to Scripture in a language and format they clearly understand!
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