Technology can be a great thing. For example, it’s helping Christians in Southeast Asia translate the Bible into minority languages in three key ways.
First, technology enables believers to complete work they would otherwise struggle to do.
“They’ve taken technology tools that our folks created, most notably the one called translationCore, and they have turbocharged it,” Dane with unfoldingWord says. “It serves as a checking tool, which is essential in Bible translation, [and] an initial drafting tool as well.”
Secondly, tech tools from unfoldingWord help believers work efficiently, completing more work in less time. “They’ve translated the New Testament faster than anybody we’ve partnered with,” Dane says.
“They have completed 10 New Testaments, text versions. They have completed one New Testament in audio, and two more audio New Testaments are underway for 2025. They also have 10 Old Testaments underway; those would be text versions.”
Finally, technology fosters key connections. Team members collaborate on projects using digital means, and some believers discover the Lord’s leading through technology.
“One of the brothers, a key leader, shared how God called him into ministry, not through a pulpit,” Dane says.
“Pastors preach sermons, and God calls people to ministry in a church. This guy came to his call to ministry through technology.”
However, the authorities are also highly skilled with technology, so pray for believers to have wisdom and discernment.
The government’s “surveillance apparatus is really powerful,” Dane notes. “They are concerned that the translation of the Bible and the truths that it teaches might foment a rebellion.”
Help unreached people groups receive Scripture in their heart languages here.
“We’re equipping our partners and aiding them in any way we can so they can translate the Bible into all of the languages represented there, especially the ones that are unreached,” Dane says.
“This country has [several dozen] unreached people groups out of a total of 119, so that is over 9 million people.”
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This story originally appeared at Mission Network News and is republished here with permission.