Following on from last year’s event at which Amy Orr-Ewing spoke, we decided to go ahead with a similar event this year - a vision-casting event entitled “Trusting the Bible, Translating the Bible”. The event took place four weeks ago at Hartham Park in Wiltshire with ninety people in attendance, all of whom were eager to hear from our keynote speaker, Professor John Lennox. As many of you will know, John is a well-known mathematician, scientist, apologist and Bible teacher who has defended the Christian faith in the world of academia for many years, and is very much a defender of God’s Word. He is also a supporter of Bible translation, and one of the first things he mentioned on arriving at the event was how much importance he places on the Bible being translated.
We recorded the whole event, including an update on the work and progress of TWFTW, but if you would like to watch, or listen to the interview with John, head to our YouTube channel via the link below. Some of the issues that John talks about are: the importance of Bible translation, his belief in the Bible as God’s Word, the influence and dangers of AI, and his confidence in Christ. Here are a couple of quotes to whet your appetite, which have been taken from the testimonials at the start of John’s recently published autobiography, “My Story”.
“Professor Lennox offers a compelling, Spirit-filled testimony to the unshakable truth of Scripture; living proof of a man willing to pour out his life in service to the Lord Jesus. From frozen Siberia to sunlit Africa. From Harvard lecture halls to humble dinner tables in Asia - the adventures he recounts are marked by danger as well as divine providence; smuggling Bibles, enduring poisoning, being under KGB surveillance, debating the world’s most critical intellectuals, and getting lost in the bitter cold of Russia - but all the while proclaiming the good news of Jesus with intellectual clarity and grace.
John takes us on a journey of more than 80 years, across nations of the world, through mathematics, science, philosophy, theology and the Christian faith. Accompanying you on this journey is one of the most outstanding thinkers and communicators of his generation. But the guide and the goal of his life story is the Lord Jesus Christ, because this journey is a testimony to a God who engages the heart and mind.”
https://youtu.be/TC1rGvoMcXo?si=HX4ZMegxRSvuP6z-
Please note: If the video looks blurry, hover over the video with your mouse, click the ‘settings/gear-cog’ icon, and then click ‘quality’, followed by ‘1080p HD’. The clarity will improve.
“Of all the tasks that God has given us, I think that the No. 1 task is getting the scriptures into indigenous languages. I count it an honour to be amongst a people who are promoting Bible translation” (John Lennox)
Glimmers of Hope – Quarterly Edition:
Once a quarter, the marketing department prouduces a quarterly magazine to provide an update on the progress being made. Kobus van Aswegen, the International President, introduces this edition: “As I reflect on this edition, one truth stands out: God’s calling is rarely carried by one person alone. We see this throughout Scripture. Moses prepared Joshua to lead Israel forward. Elijah prepared Elisha to continue the prophetic work. Paul prepared Timothy to strengthen the church. Jesus prepared His disciples to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. The work belongs to God. As you read, you will see how He is raising up people to carry it further, and that calling is shared by all of us. Each of us has a part to play as God’s Word goes forward into new language communities”…………….. click on the link to peruse the latest ‘flip book’ edition. Glimmers of Hope Q3
Awesome Articles!
As mentioned last month, our social media guru, Christine, has been writing various articles for our website on subjects related to Bible translation. Here’s this month’s recommendation: ‘Is Bible Translation Important Today? A Biblical & Global Response’
With so many versions of the English Bible available to us today, is Bible translation as relevant or pressing as it once was? Despite how it may appear in our Western world, Bible translation remains critical today. While we may have hundreds of English translations at our fingertips, 1.5 billion people have none at all. Bible translation fulfils the Biblical mandate to ‘make disciples of all nations’ (Matt 28:18). If people do not know about God’s saving grace, how are they going to turn to him? This is why we must fuel Bible translation, enabling God’s gospel to be translated into people’s mother tongues, allowing for personal and community transformation.
https://www.twftw.org.uk/articles/why-is-bible-translation-important-a-biblical-amp-global-guide
“OUT & ABOUT” DIARY DATES in NOVEMBER 26:
Mon 2nd: Budget Prep meeting with Finance Officer in Cambridge
Mon 9th: Meeting in London with YouVersion UK (Bible apps)
Tues 10th: Charity Commission seminar in Crewe
Weds 11th: Presenting TWFTW at North Bradley Baptist, Trowbridge (am)
Thurs 12th: Meeting with Seed Company Dev Consultant in Burford
Sun 15th: Preaching at Koinonia Fellowship in Andover (am)
Mon 16th: Presenting at ‘Giving Together’ fundraising event in London (pm)
17-20th: Internal TWFTW meetings in Cambridge
Sun 22nd: Preaching at Strete Evangelical Church, Devon
Sun 29th: Preaching at Commodore Mission Church in Lowestoft, Suffolk
PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS:
North Macedonia: The Macedonian Arli translation project began in Oct 24, and they are aiming to complete the New Testament by March 2027! Praise God for this rapid progress. Pray for the translators as they continue their work as they are hugely motivated with a desire for their people to come to know Christ.
Consultant Development: We praise God that 45 new students from Central & Southern Africa have signed up for online Biblical Language Studies in order to support their consultant development journey. TWFTW currently has 112 consultants in training, which is a huge answer to prayer. Pray for Barry Funnell as he heads up the training of consultants.
Roma in Serbia: Following the launch of the Chergash Roma New Testament in April, we thank God for opportunities to take His Word to smaller towns and settlements across Serbia. This year the team were able to organise a children’s camp in two Romani settlements, and around 100 children had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Pray for our Romani teams in Serbia & Croatia (Chergash, Gurbet & Arli) as they continue Old Testament translation.
UK: Pray for the team as they prepare to select candidates for interview for the role of Database & Development Officer. The deadline for applications is 10 Nov. Pray that the right person will be in the right place at the right time as we implement a new database. We’re also praising God that the vision-casting event in Corsham on 6 Oct went so well. Ninety people gathered to listen to Professor John Lennox talk about his life, and defence of God’s Word. Pray we'd see much fruit from this event.
Publication & Printing: Pray for the necessary funding to support the many publications planned over the next 12 months.
Quote of the Month: "Prayer is weakness leaning on omnipotence." W. S. Bowd