180 million people in more than 2,000 languages are Bibleless.
Out of approximately 7,000 known distinct language groups in the world, only around 670 have the entire Bible in their own language. That is nearly 2,000 language groups living in everyday life without the entire Bible in their own language. This is at the very core of why we do what we do. These beloved children of God are the most spiritually impoverished people on the planet. These are the people groups we are focusing on.
Our desire is to see our LORD glorified. We know that He is glorified when He is clearly seen and evidenced by all. How can they see Him, unless someone shows Him to them? How thankful we are to have His Word, the lamp of God, to show them the Way.
Thessalonians 1:5 Says, “For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.” This is our desire—that we would be working in the power of His Spirit so that others see and experience Him and how good this Good News really is: God with us and God in us!
1 Thessalonians 1:8 says, “And now the Word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere…” This is our aim—to show that the Word of God brings life. We are thankful to be the bearers of His Word which not only changes our very being but is changing the whole world. Like a mustard seed, so small a seed sown, yet how great a harvest there will be at the end of days.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” This is our life—we are committed to the people that we go to. God’s Word transforms lives as people encounter it through literacy classes, community development projects, storytelling, audio Scriptures and other ways that the Lord inspires. Transformation happens as the Bibleless meet and live alongside those who are filled with the Living Word. As we learn their language, eat their food and love them, they see Him who came to be with us. How great is His love! May the many groups throughout the world yet to have heard one verse or one chapter of His Word finally hear Him and His love for them, through everything we do.