Of the billions of people alive today, many have little to no access to the Gospel.
Reaching people in their "heart" language does not happen overnight. Bible translators dedicate their lives to cultivating relationships, understanding people groups and finding the right words of expression. Some see the impact of their work decades later, and some never see its fruition, but there is no doubt that their work is a huge step in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Are you called to a career in Bible translation?
Tyndale University now offers a Concentration in Bible Translation as part of the Bachelor of Arts in the Linguistics program. The concentration specifies three 4000-level LING courses and adds one course in Anthropology and four courses in biblical languages.
“I would say to anyone interested in the area of Bible translation to ‘go for it!’” says Rodney Bartlett (BRE, 1969). “Although it may seem like a daunting task, you are not alone.”
Over their 50 years of service in the work of Bible translation, Rodney and his wife Liesel produced approximately 40 titles of all types of literature, developed a Cree literacy program for the school board and equipped staff with literacy skills and linguistics. They also translated the New Testament in the Southern dialect of the James Bay Cree and developed a Cree literacy program for the school board.
“Today, about 20,000 James Bay Cree have the New Testament available in their own language, in print, and online, some of which is also in audio.”
— Rodney Bartlett (BRE, 1969).
Rodney is a 2020 Distinguished Alumnus and the recipient of the “Lifetime Impact Award.”