Truly Fruitful: Training Pastors to Read their MT and the Transformations that are Happening

“The happiest day of a translator is when the Bible is dedicated, while the saddest day of a translator is when the Bible is not used,” said Richard Margetts. How can we combine translation, literacy and Scripture Engagement to equip people in using the Scripture after dedication? We explored this question while conducting a SE survey of the North Gumuz in 2016. The idea of Truly Fruitful was born. It is our aim to improve the competence and confidence of local church pastors, evangelists, and leaders in reading, teaching, and preaching Scripture in their mother-tongue. The SE session includes Bible study method, discussion of topics on the various different issues that a community faces, and developing ways of overcoming the barriers to effective use of mother-tongue Scripture. This training will focus on the leaders because they are the model of their family, church, or society. If they use the Scriptures, others will follow their example. The Bible will transform their lives and the lives of others when they are able to read it clearly, loudly, and confidently. Last year, we worked with three language communities and, seeing its success, we are working with three different language communities this year. The training has done very well and is bearing fruit. Having the translated Scripture in MT by itself is fruitful, BUT, if the church leaders are adequately equipped to read it and use it in their ministries, we are confident that will be truly fruitful.