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A brief History of Wycliffe Bible Translators
A brief History of Wycliffe Bible Translators
Cameron Townsend

A WORLD-CHANGING VISION

When 19-year-old William Cameron Townsend went to Guatemala to give out Spanish Bibles, he was surprised when he met a man who didn't understand the language. This man didn't want a Spanish Bible or a God who didn't speak his language. That moment inspired Cam to take action.

And his story sparked a movement and vision that are rapidly changing the world!

...

In 1934 Cam started Camp Wycliffe, a linguistics training program named after John Wycliffe, the first translator of the entire Bible into English.

Less than ten years later, it grew into what would later be known as the Summer Institute of Linguistics (now SIL Global) and Wycliffe Bible Translators.

What started as a summer camp and became two worldwide organizations has since spread to hundreds of partner organizations around the world who are working together to see the gospel go out among the nations.

A WORLD-CHANGING VISION

When 19-year-old William Cameron Townsend went to Guatemala to give out Spanish Bibles, he was surprised when he met a man who didn't understand the language. This man didn't want a Spanish Bible or a God who didn't speak his language. That moment inspired Cam to take action.

And his story sparked a movement and vision that are rapidly changing the world!

Cameron Townsend

In 1934 Cam started Camp Wycliffe, a linguistics training program named after John Wycliffe, the first translator of the entire Bible into English.

Less than ten years later, it grew into what would later be known as the Summer Institute of Linguistics (now SIL Global) and Wycliffe Bible Translators.

What started as a summer camp and became two worldwide organizations has since spread to hundreds of partner organizations around the world who are working together to see the gospel go out among the nations.

airplanes

OUR STORY

For over 80 years, Wycliffe Bible Translators has helped people around the world translate the Bible into their own languages. What started as one young man’s vision that every man, woman and child would be able to understand God’s Word in their own language has grown into a global movement.

radio communications

Throughout the decades, Wycliffe has pioneered new territory in missions: From single women working overseas in translation projects to the evolution of aviation and radio services and now the growing prominence of community and church-led translation efforts, Wycliffe has changed a lot over the years.

Through every season, God has been faithful in continuing to lead us toward the vision of everyone having access to Scripture in a language and format that touches their heart.

OUR STORY

For over 80 years, Wycliffe Bible Translators has helped people around the world translate the Bible into their own languages. What started as one young man’s vision that every man, woman and child would be able to understand God’s Word in their own language has grown into a global movement.

airplanes

Throughout the decades, Wycliffe has pioneered new territory in missions: From single women working overseas in translation projects to the evolution of aviation and radio services and now the growing prominence of community and church-led translation efforts, Wycliffe has changed a lot over the years.

radio communications

Through every season, God has been faithful in continuing to lead us toward the vision of everyone having access to Scripture in a language and format that touches their heart.

MILESTONES OVER THE YEARS

OUR WORK IS NOT OVER YET!

The gospel is changing lives, communities and entire regions around the world as people experience it in their own language. The acceleration of Vision 2025 over the last few years is proof of the power of God's translated Word!

Vision 2025 Map

But Bible translation does not stop after Scripture is printed, recorded or dedicated. People need to engage with the Scripture and apply it to their lives in order for sustained community and church growth.

We want all people of the global Church to be equipped for evangelism, discipleship and church planting, and that starts by having access to God’s Word in a language and format that captures their hearts and transforms their lives. At Wycliffe, we want to leave a legacy of faith in which people continue to be transformed through the Bible for generations to come. So our work is not done yet!

Vision 7:9 and man raising hands

As we move toward the promised future where people from all nations and languages will worship before the throne, God is at work, transforming lives today through Scripture — for His glory and the good of His people everywhere!

...

Want to see God’s power on display in lives around the world today? Check out the Bible Translation Experience where you’ll meet some incredible people and learn more about how God is on the move through His global Church.

Bible translation experience