God Calls

How do you translate the Bible into a language where 99 per cent of the speakers are against Christianity? This question lies at the heart of the mission of illumiNations Asia and echoes across many Impact Stories that reveal how God works through Scripture in unexpected ways.

For Amy (not her real name), it began by approaching members of the Baker community in 2019. “I asked some of them if they would help with translating a collection of stories from the Old Testament.” Four were shortlisted, the team was formed, and the work began — a process similar to other journeys described in How It Works and rooted in patient relationship-building.

As they translated more and more stories, Amy, the sole believer in the team, noticed a difference in her non-Christian co-workers. “They became more friendly, the entire atmosphere turned more positive and the whole group showed growing interest in hearing more stories like Jonah and Noah to learn more about prophets they had heard of in their religion.” This quiet shift mirrors testimonies found in faith and inspiration stories and highlights the transformative power of engaging with Scripture.

When the team progressed to translating the Gospel of Luke in 2020, the impact deepened. “They began asking questions about Jesus.” This growing curiosity reflects a recurring pattern seen in Impact Stories from Indonesia and other minority language communities, where God’s Word — when encountered through stories — opens doors that arguments never could.

These moments affirm a profound truth: God often calls hearts through stories long before belief is named. Supporting this work through giving initiatives and choosing to join the movement helps ensure that more communities can encounter Scripture in a way that invites reflection, dialogue, and transformation. This global commitment to Scripture access is shared by partners such as the Wycliffe Global Alliance.