Joshua, a model of obedience, faith, and courage, was Moses’ protégé, whom he renamed from Hoshea, meaning “saves,” to Jehoshua, “God saves.” Appointed by God to be the military and spiritual leader guiding the Israelites into the Promised Land of Canaan, Joshua’s ministry offers a resonant, if indirect, commentary on a contemporary challenge: the lack of Bible translation in the native tongue of many Southeast Asian language groups.
Today, many ethnic minority Christians find themselves in the shadows of linguistic barriers, hearing God’s Word spoken in an unfamiliar tongue. Imagine multitudes navigating their faith without a clear understanding of Scripture — a deprivation that echoes the struggles of all marginalized people groups yearning to hear the voice of God, clearly, in their own language.
Bible Translation teams put the spotlight on Joshua’s ancient charge to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6) by actively seeking out people groups still lacking Scripture in their own language. By going into the remotest regions of Southeast Asia, they reveal the harsh realities faced by communities grappling with potential persecution and isolation, as well as their reliance on fragmented oral translation of God’s Word.
The promise given to Joshua, “Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you – ” (Joshua 1:3b, NLT) is also the basis of the Bible Translation teams’ commitment to reach the peoples and places with the least access or response to the gospel.
Joshua’s message is clear: to encourage faith and perseverance in the face of adversity, give the gift of a verse and arm language groups with what they need to deepen their faith: God’s Word in their own language.
A LEGACY OF REDEMPTION
P grew up hearing stories of his grandfather, a respected tribal chieftain known for his leadership. But what truly shaped their family’s story was his grandfather’s encounter with Jesus—made possible through Bible translation.
Hearing God’s Word in his own language led P’s grandfather to embrace Jesus as his Savior, planting seeds of transformation within the family.
When his grandfather passed away, something remarkable happened. Years earlier, when P’s aunt died, his grandmother had been consumed by despair. This time was different. Instead of being overwhelmed by sorrow, she found strength in prayer, no longer questioning why but trusting in the hope her husband had found in Christ.
The transformation was undeniable. His grandfather’s faith had not only secured his own salvation but had also led his grandmother to Christ. Their family’s legacy became one of hope, rooted in the power of God’s Word in their language—a testament to translation’s life-changing impact across generations.
Your gift during our 1-for-1 matching challenge will be doubled, creating legacies of faith for families still waiting to hear God’s Word in their heart language.