Exponential Impact: Serving as a Field Coordinator
Meet Bijay! Originally from South Asia, Bijay’s life was transformed when he encountered God at a local church near his home. When he discovered how many languages in his home country still needed Bible translation work to start, he wondered how he could contribute to God’s mission. He thought, “I'm not a linguist. I'm not a theologian. So what … role I could play?”
After connecting with a Wycliffe missionary, Bijay realized that God had a plan to use his unique experiences and background. Now Bijay has the opportunity to play a part in what God is doing in South Asia through Bible translation work! He contributes to the movement as a field coordinator with Wycliffe USA and a project funding coordinator with a partner organization. As part of his role, Bijay currently contributes to projects that are taking place in 22 languages. He said:
To accomplish this goal, we need to prayerfully ask God to direct our steps as He invites us to be a part of making His name known among the nations. God has promised there will be a future day when people from every nation, people and language will stand before His throne.
Collaboration in a Global Movement
At Wycliffe, we want to see local churches empowered so that they can own the Bible translation work in their communities, countries and regions. Global Partnerships is a multiorganizational collaboration that desires to receive inspiration and leadership from the global Church in the Bible translation movement. Global Partnerships serves as a platform for collaboration in the Bible translation movement as we explore new ways of working together with interdependence.
As part of the Global Partnerships Engagement team at Wycliffe USA, Bijay has the opportunity to forge relationships and play a part in ensuring Bible translation projects are moving forward. Bijay shared priorities that guide the team as they collaborate across the world:
- Serve the Church: At Wycliffe, we want to be inspired and directed by the Church. We want to respond to what God is calling the Church to do, and we want to reflect the body of Christ working interdependently.
- Accomplish Vision 2025: We embrace the vision that by the year 2025, there will be a Bible translation project in progress for every people group that needs it.
Journeying Together
As a field coordinator, Bijay collaborates with pastors and leaders to start Bible translation programs in the communities that need it to begin for the first time! He fosters conversations that empower communities to take ownership of translation projects. Bijay works with project teams to find out what Bible portions they want for their community. He said, “[The local communities] decide which one they want first based on their [own] unique need.”
For example, leaders in one community mentioned that they wanted to begin work by translating a set of stories from Genesis to Revelation. So that is what they started translating! Bijay said:
Bijay works remotely from the U.S., but he also has opportunities to travel, visit communities and build relationships in person. As he fosters meaningful cross-cultural relationships, he also engages in project planning and administrative work to ensure the projects are well-resourced and managed.
Bijay emphasized the importance of staying rooted in God’s Word and seeking guidance from God during decision-making. He said:
The Impact of Scripture
Bijay recalls one story of an elderly woman who received a device with translated Scripture in an audio format. Not only would she listen to the New Testament in her home, but she listened at work, hoping that her coworkers would also hear the transforming story of the Bible. As a result, her coworkers began to listen to the Scripture with her each day.
One day the audio Bible stopped functioning properly, so one of the woman’s colleagues contacted Bijay’s team. He said, “We are enjoying these audio stories you provided. … Could you provide [devices for] us?” After they received more audio Bibles, people’s lives were transformed in that city. Access to God’s Word has an eternal impact! As Scripture reminds us:
We are excited to see Scripture transforming lives, strengthening communities and equipping future generations to know and follow Christ. We look forward to the day when all people will rejoice because they have God’s Word in their language!
Your Next Steps
Ready to play a part in what God is doing around the world? We won’t stop until all people have access to all Scripture. Every person deserves access to all of God’s Word, empowering them to fully know His truth and live in His hope.
When you serve with us, you’ll find a purpose greater than yourself and belong to a global faith community. You could have the opportunity to say “yes” and be part of seeing the Bible — the greatest story ever told — go out to all people around the world.
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